Anne Lamott says that the key to writing is to sit down and write. Imagine a little postage stamp of an image and capture it in words. In other words, put your butt in a chair and type.

Here’s what I want to ask this prolific, insightful writer:

Why is is easier to scrub tile grout with a toothbrush than it is to write?

And why is it while I scour, I write in my head?

Then when I sit at my laptop, I notice dishes in the sink.

So like Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh recommends, I mindfully wash each glass, plate, spoon, fork, and knife.

Then I spot streaks in the kitchen windows and reach for the Windex which leads to gentle dusting of the window frames with Murphy’s oil soap.

I’m living my own version of the children’s book If You Give a Mouse Cookie entitled If You Give Nancy a Writing Goal:

I sit at the computer and decide I need some background music. Feeling kind of crazy, I plug Helen Reddy into Pandora. Shot back in time, Tony Orlando and Dawn inspire me  to grab a broom and knock three times on the ceiling – twice on the pipes – and dance around the kitchen. Broom in hand, I sweep the floor, empty the dust pan which leads me to take out the garbage.  I replace the garbage bag and notice that the cabinet under the kitchen sink needs organizing. I reach for the stainless steel cleaner and wipte down the dishwasher, frig, and stove.

Back at my laptop, I pledge to post every day in July. I’m going to have one heck of a clean house.