I like doing things well. If I'm gonna do something, I've gotta aim for professional quality. But besides filling my house with clutter, it's expensive!
For photography, a simple point and shoot won't do. No... my needs soon include lenses, flashes, editing software, carrying case, battery charger, memory cards, memory card reader, lens covers... all so I can take the perfect picture of a loaf of bread.
Drawing... paper and pencil, right? No. Leather-bound sketch pad, graphite pencils of varying thicknesses, smudgers, graphite erasing doodads, lacquer, drawing books, portfolio... all to scratch out mediocre copies of greater masters.
Baking... I actually heard myself say out loud, "A 9 inch round pan just won't do... I need 8 inch round pans to go on my 10 inch cake circles." Heaven help me!!!
It's the same with gardening, painting, knitting, sewing, needlework, cake decorating, piano, clothing (need new shoes to match that skirt after all)... even my Bible needed a cover, tabs, and special highlighters.
I refuse to get into scrapbooking because I know it would take over my house, and possibly my life.
Ah the opulence of desire! The extravagance of "simple pastimes."
This Lent, I'm trying to abstain from my perfectionist's profusion. Get back to basics. Not everything I do has to be professional quality. And if I use all-purpose instead of high gluten flour for those bagels, it may not be perfect, but I think I'll still live to see another day.
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I'm giving up "Free Friday" for Lent.
Not really... I just couldn't find any good free stuff this week.
You know I wish I had thought of this before Lent, but you inspired me. Maybe next Lent I should try giving up buying stuff. Yikes! Unless essentials like food.
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