Do you procrastinate? Are there unfinished projects lying about in your house?
Years ago in graduate school at Florida State University, my husband Cliff made these bisque-fired salt and pepper shakers. He says creating the shakers was a side project back then, something he had the urge to do with clay leftover from a major assignment. Just so you know, after the clay dries slowly for several days, the initial firing (called a bisque) would be placed in a kiln.
The shakers have sat in my china closet for a long time now. For decades, actually. They have a pleasing shape but they are not usable for the palate.
Why? They are unfinished. In the busy 1970s, the man of the house wore several hats including teacher, graduate student, and graphic art business owner. Making the shakers was a side project: He wasn’t being graded for it. The need certainly wasn’t urgent either. Obviously, I could use other salt & pepper shakers. So, completing the project with glaze and a final firing fell by the wayside.
Next Steps
According to Cliff, three things would have to happen to make the shakers usable:
- Use a diamond-tipped drill to finish opening up the holes on top, so each spice could be shaken from the top.
- Apply a non-toxic glaze followed by a final firing.
- Insert cork stoppers to the bottom after shaker wells have been filled.
The Lessons
- Opportunity still knocks, even though many years have elapsed.
- Sometimes one needs to be prodded to take the next step.
- It doesn’t take much to finish a job that’s partly done.
On a much larger scale, Designed to Sell, an HGTV broadcast, tells the story of a distraught couple whose unfinished projects kept them from being able to sell their house in order to downsize:
Completing a Home’s Many Unfinished Projects. Season 27, Episode 4
When Arynne and Eliot Danghaar bought their four-bedroom brick colonial, they had big plans for it. Now, with too much house and too many projects, they are ready to downsize. Before they can sell their current home, all of those unfinished projects need to be completed to compete with the . . . homes in their neighborhood.
Your Turn
What unfinished projects await your “next step”?
What would it take to turn them from in-progress status to the completion stage?
Have you recently finished a project you’re proud of? Yes, it’s okay to brag a little! 🙂
More advice? Do share . . . thank you!
Good morning, Marian!
I definitely procrastinate, and I also have lots of unfinished projects.
I should have a book out in May and another in August–so those are two finished projects. But it’s stuff like cleaning out drawers and closet and organizing papers and books that I keep putting off.
I don’t even want to see the couple’s unfinished house projects. We have so much that needs to be done with our house.
Giving Cliff a break–I’m not sure if finishing the salt and pepper shakers counts as procrastination, unless he keeps saying he wants to finish them, but then doesn’t. Personally, as I don’t use table salt and pepper shakers, I’d keep them as decorative items. 🙂
Cleaning out drawers and organizing papers seems trivial when I consider your body of work. I hope other readers will click on this link to one of your recent posts and be amazed: https://merrildsmith.com/publications/
I believe cooking fuels your writing as opposed to tidying up.
You are right: I don’t think finishing the S & P shakers counts as a priority for Cliff. His other projects are on the front burner now. You’re first up today – thanks, Merril for starting the conversation!
You’re welcome, Marian, and thanks for sharing my publications page. 🙂
But of course! Readers who appear here often need to know. 🙂
🙂
I’ve never been a procrastinator, Marian. I tend to be a little obsessed when it comes to finishing what I’ve started. So, will Cliff finish the shakers? They’re very nice.
From what I know of you and your recent literary output, you are a Finisher of Projects Extraordinaire. Best wishes on your new book launch coming up. 🙂
No, I doubt that Cliff will finish the shakers, so they’ll probably just be ornamental.
The salt and pepper shakers are treasures, finished or not, because your creative hubby crafted them. I’ve got many unfinished quilting projects tucked away: from entire quilt tops assembled and ready to be quilted to pieces cut and waiting to be sewn together.
I packed my quilting projects away years ago when I got serious about writing my book, intentionally choosing to focus on the one thing. I packed them all up and brought them with me when we returned to Canada thinking that, in retirement, I’d finish them. I haven’t touched any of them. I keep telling myself that one day I’ll return to the hobby I once enjoyed so much. As the years go by, I’m not so sure.
Your “quilting” has transformed into lovely collages of photos and text on your blog. Whether or not I comment, I read them almost every day and marvel at your stamina and persistence at keeping it up. I guess by now the “diary” has become a habit, a constant in your daily rhythms.
Maybe you will return to quilting, or maybe not. At least the option is there. Thanks, Linda.
I think most of us have smaller or bigger projects waiting to be finished. There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything that strikes my fancy. In my life, those projects are mostly from a reading and writing kind. I have a pile of books I want to read to be able to get rid of them, and I have hundreds of ideas, thoughts, blogs, articles, books I would like to write and for which I have many starting notes already. It is overwhelming and I know I will never be able to follow all of those leads…
I love the look of the S&P shakers!!
Your interests flow out of you every which way and keep you perking along. My theory: It’s better to have too many rather than too few ideas to pursue; then you can pick and choose. As to books, right now I have 6 piled up on or around my nightstand. If a title doesn’t call loud enough, it may be returned to the library. I try to read only books I could rate as a 4 or a 5. Some, I fear, won’t make the cut, or capture my interest.
I’m glad you like the S&P shakers – and that you joined the chat here. Thanks, Liesbet!
The salt and pepper shakers are treasures in their unfinished state, Marian. I’d use them for decorative purposes as is. As far as unfinished projects—my current memoir, my cluttered office, cupboards that need to be cleared out and organized. Hmm,you may have spurred me on to tackle my projects. Thanks for the nudge!
My studio is untidy too, and for the same reason. A while ago I could not tolerate a mess, but now it doesn’t bother me as much: I know where stuff is and one day it will be cleared up to make way for another project. Lord, hasten the day!
Yes, the shakers are pretty as is and will probably stay as decoration only. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Kathy. And thanks for all of your writing tips lately. I followed up on one yesterday. Onward!
The salt and pepper shakers are very nice and probably don´t need to be finished as they are ornamental. I especially love the bisque-fired clay vase. Finding a kiln to fire these items may be a challenge as well. Perhaps some things aren´t meant to be completed. I tend to finish what I start, it´s the getting started part that sometimes gets put off.
You are echoing the sentiment of Janet’s comment, below, I believe: Perhaps some things aren´t meant to be completed.
Many would relate to your problem with the “getting started” part especially if they are operating with a full agenda to begin with. By the way, your adding volumes regularly to your young adult series is testimony to your get-her-done attitude and follow through. Thanks, Darlene.
I tried a few times to access episode 4 Marian but no luck. I peeked at some of the other ones that looked verrrrry interesting but before getting absorbed in them – and procastinating, I thought rather to respond to your post. I don’t know if they mentioned that the smell of baking or brewing coffee apparently DEFINITELY helps to sell….
My most pressing and procrastinated task is to finish some books I’ve started on my kindle and do reviews. Every time I go away I take my kindle along but never manage to get into it. I’m going away tomorrow and wondering whether to take it – I probably will, on the off chance ..
Cliff’s shakers are lovely. I can imagine them finished and USING them …
You are a published author, so take comfort in that fact. Some projects will call to you and others will fall by the wayside if they are not meant to be.
About your reading habits, I find I’m more inclined to read a soft-cover book than its Kindle version, probably because a physical book feels more comfy than its digital version.
I like your priorities, Susan, responding to my post rather than following your nose on the Unfinished Projects website. By the way, the link to the episode I posted does not work anymore – sorry!
Thanks!
Procrastination or priorities, Marian? You raise a great question, of course. But as Linda said, and as Cliff found, others thing become more important. Life happens. Thank goodness, huh?
That’s it in a nutshell, Janet, and the truth about priorities probably would count as lesson #4 in the post. Finishing this project is way low on his priority list right now. Besides, he doesn’t have a kiln!
I think Cliff should finish the shakers! And before glazing & firing, he should etch the start and finish years on the back. And maybe add a little heart, too. ♥
Well, Lynn, if he ever finishes the project I’ll remind him about the dates, which would be a telling touch – ha! And I’ll have him read your comment here too. Creative idea, thanks!
What an interesting question, Marian. And example. I chuckled at Merril’s comment about not wanting to watch the TV show. I already joked with daughter Kate that she and Nik will probably finish all the details on their house project when they get ready to sell it.
I try not to keep unfinished projects sitting around. And I get a lot of satisfaction from checking “finished” on my to-do lists. Stuart and I will have to plunge into more organizing of file drawers, etc., when we return. Our frequent moves help us to keep paring, but the job is never ending.
I do, however, have more interests than time to explore them in depth. Photography, calligraphy, painting and drawing call to me, but they have not yet risen to the top.
Kate and Nik have a lovely home, livable now as the restoration is finished. Maybe they’ll find the tweaking to be their mutual hobby in the coming months and years.
I believe you and your brother Henry share some artistic DNA, both with a high interest in photography, which I see as a blend of science and art. And you have the capacity to enjoy all the variations you mention whether you get to them or not. More power to you in this season of jubilacion, Shirley!
Marian — I’m not a procrastinator. If I put something on my ta-dah list, it’s gets done. Not being a multi-tasker helps. I work with laser-focus on one project at a time until it’s complete, then move to the next.
I’m proud that book number two is scheduled for July 10 publication, and I’m currently working on book three—this time, fiction.
Is Cliff going to finish the salt and pepper shaker project? Inquiring minds want to know…
You know, calling “things to do” a to-dah list definitely has more pizazz and appeal for me. I’m eagerly awaiting your book number 2 and am awed that you are exploring another genre, fiction. You’re mind is really going wild now, Laurie. I would say you have a lot of gas in your tank, but that would imply some unintended implications – ha!
I don’t think Cliff needs to finish the S&P project. He has more important things cooking right now, which you’ll hear more about in February.
Marian — Please tell Cliff I said, “Onward and Upward!”
Procrastination is big in this household and I’m sure it is in most others. By downsizing to a smaller home our Projects to finish have become few. At this time in our lives the big question is what is most important. If it takes away from pleasant times together with family and friends, I’m all for procrastinating or leaving certain things unfinished.
You are in a pleasant place, now in your happily-ever-after home. It’s an issue of priorities, and it seems you have the right set for now . . . although I must admit silencing that “You should to more” voice in your head is not always easy. Enjoy your flowers and the urge to create at your leisure, Joan.
Marian, the salt shakers are interesting, but my interest was captured more by the colorful raffia mat on which they are placed. Is it from Africa? I had a similar one in my kitchen in Ontario, but must have chucked it when we moved. I think it had a burn in it. I thought we had brought it from Africa, but I may be mistaken.
Procrastination is a huge temptation on retirement! There’s no one to push you except yourself. I find it easier to meet deadlines that are imposed on me than ones I impose on myself. A to do list that I can check off when done is helpful. I have it on the side of my daily calendar, and when it carries over into the next month I know I have to get on it!
I can’t guarantee this, but I think this mat may have come from the International Gift and Thrift Shop in Mt. Joy, PA, sponsored by MCC. I have 3-4 others, similar but with variations in weave and color, I have hung onto these for more decades than I care to admit. They are more versatile than the quilted cloth type, which do little to protect the table surface.
Like you, I am famous for to-do lists, but don’t mind (much) if there are carry-overs. If it’s on the list, it will get done, eventually.
Thanks for your inquiry, Elfrieda. Your years in Kenya have sharpened your eyes to native arts and crafts.
Just one small correction, Marian, we were not in Kenya, but in the Belgian Congo, which later changed it’s name to Zaire and then changed it back to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ah, I did have question in my mind and my fact checker wasn’t on when I typed that. Sorry, I should have checked. Thanks for the correction, Elfrieda.
This is a true Cliff-hanger. Hee hee… But I always say my undone, half-finished writing projects are just pieces of paper or at most hanging files of chapters etc. or (better yet) files and docs on the computer–while my dear husband’s half done projects take up half of the garage, you know?
That’s the perfect tag, Melodie, one I’ll surely share with Cliff.
You get done what counts. Besides, unfinished projects give one something to strive for, or set aside if necessary. I don’t want to say anything about your hubby except “been there, done that.” When we moved, I lobbied for a chance to park my car in the garage, first time ever. It worked!
Does that bottle of wine count??? No seriously I will put that head on for a moment.. As we are more nomadic now I don’t really have unfinished projects…I write my to do list on a Monday and by Friday all done…The only thing on the back burner is my novel..The cook books have taken presidence over it..it niggles me but I dither and dither and don’t write it on my list…I know I must or is it gong to be like the unfinished symphony???… I love the S & P shakers and Lyn’s idea re dates is a great one..but maybe I would them as they are as a memento of times past 🙂
I have noticed the steady transformation of your blog to a more culinary one. And your readers are really “eating it up.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist that one!)
When the time is right and you need another change, maybe that novel on the back burner will move forward and become a reality. But only if it’s meant to be.
Thanks so much for replying here and appreciating the imperfection of the S & P shakers, Carol.
Haha..I love some of your one liners Marian …I may even pinch that one if the opportunity arises 🙂 x
Absolutely, go right ahead!
Fun post Marian. Perhaps this isn’t the best month to ask me about unfinished things LOL. I can tell you that one of my elastic bracelets with tiny amethyst beads fell apart 2 months ago. I bought some new and better elastic at the hobby store almost 2 months ago intending to restring the beads.
I pass by it about 30 times a day still sitting on the coffee table. LOL 🙂
You have a huge body of work already, but I know that doesn’t help much when you had a different scenario in mind when the year began.
Sometimes between your writing and caregiving of that sweet husband of yours, you’ll want a diversion and find time to restring the beads. Of course, the task will get done faster if you find a new outfit that matches it perfectly – ha! ((( )))
Lol Marian. So true! I’m aiming to fix it this weekend – enough already, lol. Besides, it’s one of 4 bracelets I’ve been wearing for the past 3 years I got from the healing center in Sedona, Arizona so I feel empty without it. 🙂
If keeping the healing touch is what you need, this bracelet from Sedona will do the trick for sure, Debby. oxo
I’m hoping so Marian. 🙂 xx
When we moved into our house 22 years ago, there was hideous metallic flowered 70s-style wallpaper on one basement wall. I said at the time, “Well THAT’s going to be one of the first things to go.”
It’s still there.
In our defence, we had a new baby, and then another and work, and volunteering . . . Now that our kids are adults we are moving through the rooms one at a time bringing them up to date.
“All in good time,” your comment seems to say. I also think that you may have skipped a makeover or two and can go straight to what suits your lifestyle now. I shudder to think of the gold and avocado green we started out with on our dining room walls.
As I recall, we began serious renovation when our kids left too. Before that, our money went into college tuition and weddings.
I admire your not letting superficial things get in the way of enjoying family life and volunteering, Arlene.
I was crocheting a tablecloth for my wedding…I’ve been married almost 22 years. Sigh… My mother-in-law was knitting afghans for the grandkids – only 3 received one before she died at Thanksgiving. but there were 4/5 rows complete so each grandkid without a blanket, got to choose one. Big Guy is going to ask a friend to make him a blanket incorporating the strip. I think that’s a wonderful idea. Little Guy hasn’t decided yet. Lesson: Don’t wait for tomorrow – time will march on, and tomorrow may not come.
I love the story of the The Great Good Improvise here. Thank you for this and for providing Lesson # 5, Jenn.
I love those shakers and would be very happy to have them on my table.
I am very good at finishing what I start. My crochet projects are, for the main part, long term. I am currently working on a fantasy teacosy for my son. I started it at the beginning of January and hope to finish it in a couple of days. I am having great fun with it and can’t wait to give it to him, see his face and share photos.
How lovely, Fatima. I hope you will feature the teacosy on Facebook. I enjoy seeing your projects there, both in-progress and finished. Thank you!
There is something authentic about the raw state, don’t you think ? Well maybe not but I’m sure your lovely husband will get around to it in his own time .
Our 3/4house is what we want to finish desperately. We have lived here for three years and still not finished . All the essentials are done but it’s the finishing touches like the loft room and garden . We have been rather busy collecting customers over the last year or so and we are so very old 😉we can’t do both . That’s our excuse anyway . This year is a biggy and yet the first month is nearly out😳😩oh dear back to the drawing board .
Cherryx
You’re right about authentic. I’ve seen them looking this way for so long, I don’t think I’d like a glossy finish.
I am smiling as I read about your description of your 3/4 house. The essentials are done, you say, so it’s livable. Maybe you’ll feel like working in the garden as Welsh winter turns into spring.
Customers would come first too in my books, too, so don’t feel so bad. In fact, don’t feel bad at all!
As always, thank you, Cherry, for brightening my day with a cheery comment here. 😀
I guess it’s human nature to procrastinate. I know I sure have lots of that human nature. But here’s perhaps the more important question: WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE PROCRASTINATE? Me? I read (instead of writing my next 1000 words of my novel), I walk (instead of writing that….); I write a poem or two. Considering that, maybe procrastination’s not that bad? xo
It’s really not. Just a few minutes ago, my Fitbit gave my wrist a little charge, so I walked outside and added a few steps in the warm-ish sunshine and let my writer’s seat cool off a little.
I know you’ll take some time off soon, maybe to re-charge or maybe to advance on your novel. Judging from your body of work, you can afford to explore some side trails. Thanks for inserting a new twist in the comments here, Pam!
Thanks so much, Marian. I thought of you yesterday when I agreed to meet a friend for a walk, even though it was 32 degrees out!! I got 17,000 steps for my frozen efforts. Whoo Hoo! That’s one of the benefits of the Fitbit – we get so mad at it that we walk around just to show it ‘we can do this!’ 🙂 I’m planning on taking a break in a WARMER climate so I can get a bunch more 17,000-step days. <3
Whoo Hoo to you today, You beat me hollow!
As for taking a break in warmer climes, my door is always open in Jacksonville, Florida, with a guest room waiting. We can compete side by side, but you’d win especially if you had l o n g e r strides.
😀
Lovely vase and shakers! We are going to install sauna equipment in the sauna room space, but right now it’s filled with packing boxes and other stuff!
I believe your sauna space faces the lake and not attached to the main house, so maybe take your time — unless of course you need the stuff in those boxes. Ha!
Thanks, Fiona!
Interesting comments from all of your readers and appreciate the positive things they’ve said regarding the shakers and the vase.
At this time i sort of like the bisque-fired state of the shakers, even though at present they are more decorative than useful. I think I bought a diamond tip drill bit several years ago but have more interest in creating other projects for now.
Thanks again. Perhaps we’ll find some other interesting projects buried somewhere.
“You actually have a diamond drill tip?” I asked.
“Probably somewhere, but I’d have to look,” he said.
“Okay . . . !
Food for thought. I like the three lessons you draw from the history and provenance of these simple household objects.
Thank for chiming in here, Alexa. You obviously understand the mysteries of art, unfinished or not.
I don’t have any projects as specific as the salt and pepper shakers, but I figure LIFE is one grand unfinished project–there’s always so much more to do. I wish you the best in tackling your projects, both big and small!
You are the first and only reader to mention life as an unfinished project. How true and often overlooked. And you are steadily recording your family life on your blog, something you can look back on with pride, Rebecca.
Thanks for the good wishes. Right now my biggest project is doing developmental edits on memoir, a job that right now seems un-ending. I hope the whole thing can be shaped up to be published early next year.
Thanks for the encouragement. My Mom’s final Christmas we all received quilts she had made that year. Most were finished but my daughter Lea quilted hers after Mom passed away that following Feb. My youngest son was a surfer so Mom chose neon colors for his butterfly quilt- pinned together. It’s a candidate for ugliest quilt. Mom had aphasia due to cerebral hemorrhage and lost discernment of color completely. Several friends who quilt suggested I toss it. With our recent downsizing and move, it was in a pile to be donated. I just couldn’t do it. I rescued it & stuffed it into our Pod. This week I purchased a multi colored yarn to match those neon butterflies. I’m no quilter but I will “yarn” that thing together so Brad’s kids can use Mema’s handy work to stay warm. You can always use an ugly quilt made with love when you live in upstate NY.
You shared a heart-warming story on a rather chilly day here in Florida. Favorite line: “You can always use an ugly quilt made with love when you live in upstate NY.” True, no matter what state you live in.
I’m glad you are happily ensconced in new quarters — and so close to family, your closeknit group as I see on Facebook. I’m sure more and more you will appreciate where you moved as the years go by. As you may know, Cliff and I moved just 9 blocks from our daughter. We hadn’t planned it that way when we first went on a house search, but that is where the LORD has led us.
We miss you at our get-togethers though. Maybe you can make it south sometime this year and join us. Thanks for commenting here, Sandra!
I feel better about my messy piles after reading this, Marion. As you know, I’ve spent the last month moving my mother-in-law to a nursing home after spending a huge amount of time the month before getting her approved for hospice. She’ll likely be released from hospice because she’s getting stronger and her lungs are clear now. She won’t be released from the nursing home and when we need hospice again, they’ll take care of her in her new place just as they’re watching over her now and in this transition.
Oh, yes, my unfinished project. I thought for sure this was the winter I would clear out my house, cull the books, get rid of more things I don’t need. Instead, I’m doing all that for my mother-in-law. I still have to do her taxes and mine. I have to apply for Medicaid for her in about a month, so I’m gathering materials. I still have to empty her old apartment (thankfully, with lots of help), and on it goes. By the time I’m done with her stuff, I’ll be ready for a vacation. I’ll get to my own project because I have to, but for now, I will use the old salt and pepper shaker and leave the books right where they are.
Moments ago I saw the photo of Anthony and his Grandma on Facebook. My heart breaks for you, dear Elaine. Yes, it is hard no matter what we do to make it okay. What tenacity on her part, and what endurance is required on yours. (Heavy sigh!) I’m glad hospice is there to lighten the load a bit. I hope circumstances will be such that they never have to leave.
Last year I chose FOCUS as my word for the year, but I was deluding myself about pushing my memoir manuscript further along. Aunt Ruthie was in hospice for heaven’s sake. I probably spent more time in PA the first six months of the year than at home in Florida. Of course, we wanted to visit our aunt while she was still cognizant. Obviously, the huge piles of stuff in her house had to be dealt with, and then her death came on Mother’s Day with a memorial service to plan. In June we sold the contents but no buyer of the house until August when we could finally pass the keys on to someone else.
My sister is taking care of Ruthie’s taxes this year as she is executor. But as long as he lives I must take care of brother Mark’s finances including his taxes because I’m a trustee. So I have an inkling. I wonder if you have a case worker assigned to help with some of your load.
As I type, I want to plead with you to take care of yourself even as duty beckons. A candle burning in solitude? A bubble bath? Know that I care and lift you up with good thoughts and prayers.