2023: Digital Death vs. The Literary Life

This is the first time I’ve opened a computer in a week and honestly, it’s been simply wonderful to be untethered to the laptop/computer work. Now mind you, I’ve not been without my pocket computer (aka iPhone) and have sure enough logged plenty of hours on it, though probably less than a typical week. I’ve still checked in on Facebook and Instagram occasionally over the holiday break (I’ve been off work since last Thursday) and burned an hour here and there to the tune of 6 hours of my last week (I checked my stats, this is one sure-fire way to get humbled). I’ve used it for my Bible app, explored “books” and listened to audiobooks via my Scribd and Canon Press apps and of course, I’ve called, texted and taken lots of pictures.

Like most folks, I’m reflecting on 2022 and looking forward to 2023 to evaluate where I can make positive changes to improve, not only my own life, but inspire and spur on my kids and family on to better standard of everyday life. Spoiler, books are a major theme here. These last few years I’ve felt and seen the effects of how good and beautiful ideas form minds, both young and old. I’m living proof.

So for the sake of accountability, conversation and posterity, I give you some of my hopes and goals for 2023.

1. First, I seriously was considering dumping my iPhone and going to a dumb phone but I’ve landed the more practical conversion of my device into a wiser phone since there are apps I actually have to use for my job, business, etc. I have a bad habit of wanting to “multitask” constantly with the justification that I’m listening to the Bible app or edifying books. (Someone once told me, and I believe it’s true, “multitasking is just doing more things less well.”) I’ll fold laundry while listening to a podcast or cook with an audiobook going. These I can usually manage, but the truth is my mind reels constantly, is addicted to consumption/stimulation and needs a break from the stream of digital input. I have a tendency to be a glutton in every way and digital consumption is something I need to temper—deny my flesh. Are you here for it? Could you even imagine? What app could you just not live without on your smartphone? Mine would be the camera.

2. Looking back on this year, I’ve read A LOT. My favorites: everything I read by Wendell Berry and there were probably a dozen or so. (FUN FACT: Berry has written more than 40 books and does not own a computer.) Looking forward, I want to read more this year, catalog and build out my library. This “literary life” project is probably my biggest undertaking and inspired by the Charlotte Mason home education philosophy we started three years ago and a recent reminder by The Common Mom, Autumn Kern.

   Between my general love of books, volumes of books for Cash’s homeschool assignments and a desire to read through many classics myself, we own quite a few books tucked in several cases all over this house. This is going to require buying or building shelving in Cash/Scott’s office area to organize our stacks and create space to bring in a few more that I’m adding to my own wish list. And honestly, along the lines of dumbing down my tech use, I want to touch and feel more books because I think books are so valuable.

   I realized this past year when I started dabbling again in publishing design, first with a local startup publisher and then another boutique publisher, there’s a thread and theme of books in my life that has spanned the last 23 years. I’ll share more about that later, but suffice to say, I really treasure every facet of a book from the concept to the cover.

3. Third, and you may have noticed—I want to spend some time writing, blogging and documenting. I want to ponder, pontificate, wander and wonder aloud (or via written words at least). I want to give my brain some time to balance the screen time and digital input with more contemplative thought and outflow. I have notebooks and journals full of ideas and thoughts that I want to consider more thoroughly. While blogging on a computer/website is technically not death to my digital habit, I do plan on continuing my handwritten journaling practice using my Write the Word journals.

4. Another digital death I need to instigate is getting rid of various digital subscriptions. If you count the cost, these really can add up to a wasteful amount of money! Do I actually use them enough to justify the cost? I currently subscribe to Canon+, Patreon (The Commonplace and Joy Clarkson), CreativeBug, Scribd, Amazon Music, Amazon Prime, Dropbox, Squarespace and probably a couple more. Hmm. What are your can’t live without subscriptions?

5. Make more. As one whose job is online, plugged in and tethered, it’s imperative that I do life-giving tactile activities with my hands. These include stitching/embroidery, cooking, sewing, calligraphy, making books … anything where I can touch, feel, smell and experience the fruits of my labor with my senses.

Let’s do this! Today I’m going to start cataloging my books and cleaning out some closets. Sounds like a wonderful vacation, no? As you can see I’ve got my work cut out for me! These are just a few of our messy book spots I’ve got to work on.

In our entry (above), I’ve got a beautiful wood bookcase that’s a hot mess. I’d love to display classics and treasured volumes here. Upstairs, in my office (below), I have a lot of my Bible study books, planners and books I’ve helped design/create as well as a medley of randomness in two Ikea shelves. Cleaning my office is on the agenda.

Scott and I each have bedside table/bookshelves that have a super random half-read mix in for me. His is completely full, super dusty at the moment and mostly concordances, his Biblical studies and what not.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

— Philippians 4:8-9

Fire & Grace

You have to have a certain amount of fire but too much and you’ll burn up yourself and those around you. You have to give some grace, but how much is too much. I struggle with this especially in my role as a mama. What about you?

I was thinking about this quote through a Biblical lens because I like the quote but I just have to puzzle out if things like this are really God-honoring. Fire in her soul. The soul is that eternal piece of our being that will, ironically as it seems relative to this quote, be called into eternity with Christ or into the fire of hell. Just keeping it real here. Let’s think about this.

We definitely are called to be a light and burn hottest for God. The scripture says God is not interested in our lukewarm attempts in Revelations, so that does give us some context for the temperature of our relationship to God. Our soul should be bright and hot with the Holy Spirit within us and our zeal for seeking God first in our lives will produce this light and fire as evidence.

Love Letters xoxo

If you’re visiting, enjoy the cookies …

but please accept my apologies because my website is definitely a construction zone. 2022 is a year of growth for me. This is my playground, my testing zone, my lab. my love letters to you. It might be cookies or calligraphy or it might be the garden but it’ll be my current muse all the time. I hope you come back soon! Until next time … here’s the BEST sugar cookie recipe you’ll ever bake!

Abby’s Sugar Cutout Cookies

3 c all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c softened butter
1 c sugar
1 egg (beaten)
1 tbsp milk
powdered sugar (for rolling dough)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

• Place butter and sugar in large bowl of stand mixer and beat with (batter attachment) until light in color.

• Add egg and milk and beat to combine.

• Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl.

• Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (at least).

• When ready to bake, sprinkle powdered sugar onto surface and roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness.

• Cut out shapes and bake for 7-9 minutes.