It has been a very long time since I have had anything published, which is probably due to the fact that it’s been a very long time since I have submitted anything for publication, which is probably due to the fact that it’s been a very long time since I have written anything new. Sigh.
Of course I realise that blogging IS writing and I am very grateful for the fact that I have kept some sort of written record of the last few years’ events via this blog. And I am also grateful for other bloggers’ support. However, I am frustrated with my writing self in that I STILL haven’t put together a manuscript about Ants and Parkinson’s disease. I have begun the process of copy/pasting blog entries into an manuscript but it is quite tedious work as I have to do this post by post by post, get rid of the photos and ensure the dates are correct. I’m doing this but am still in 2012!
And now that I am spending many hours of most days in the nursing home, where this kind of job is impossible due to internet connectivity and my own iPad ignorance, I find myself slackly watching series with Ants, and always quite tired! Not that this time with Ants is wasted; it is brilliant to be together but when I began to do a crossword today (for me this is what old people do – no offence to older readers) I realised that I had to make better use of this time than pass it in such a passive way.
So, I am going to retrieve the notebooks from the top shelf of Anthony’s cupboard and begin to type our conversations out (the ones I began to jot down before he became so quiet). I can do this on either the iPad or the laptop as neither will require the internet.
I can easily put aside all of the things I don’t do very well: photography, acrobatics, raft-building, gardening, cartooning, etc. etc. because I know I can do one thing really well and that is writing. I want so much to write something meaningful and moving and encouraging for those who are afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and those who care about them/for them. I want to write unsentimentally about the pragmatics of hope and care and comfort, beginning with Anthony’s story.
Writing.
The irony of my one and only published book (about Alzheimer’s disease) is that I had no idea, at the time, that my own husband would one day look at his windowsill and ask me to get the dog out of the room.
http://www.fremantlepress.com.au/books/1039
jmgoyder 
i think this is a great approach and i look forward to seeing your writing come to life )
I am getting there very slowly with the copy/pasting. Thanks for the encouragement!
Your book will be the bible to which families turn when needing guidance and reassurance, and to find comfort in knowing they are not alone. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself to write while you are still chin deep in the everyday of PD, working, and loving Ants every moment of every day…how could anyone write unsentimentally about anything while they are still holding its hand? love you
Oh Rhonda, you say this so beautifully!
She’s an amazing soul isn’t she diana?
Yes she is Rhonda. š
Well done for working out a way to put together the material for your book that can be managed within the constraints of your current lifestyle, I salute you!
Early days!
It’s nice to see your family Julie. Good luck on the next book. I love reading your blog and i appreciate how strong you are amidst life’s trials.
Don’t want to be a one book wonder haha! Thanks Arlene.
Hugs to you Jules. Your book will be done when it’s ready, when the timing’s just right. ā¤
Diana xo
Ah that makes me feel better!
Good idea, Julie. Start with the notebooks and the journey begins.
Yes – bit by bit – thanks Anneli.
There have been and will be times where those words will flow. It might just be that doing crosswords puzzles is relaxing and time better spent with Anthony – rather than focusing on “productivity.” Believe it or not, sometimes all the words are stored and waiting to come out at a later time. I didn’t write for 30 years and everything came out when I started to write after that. I usually don’t write well under pressure. I look forward to reading your beautiful book someday. And you will know when the time is “write.”
As usual you are ‘write’! Thanks for the advice Judy and I take my hat off to you!
Just wanted to tell you that, having followed your blog for years, I really appreciate you and your openness. My mother died of lung cancer in 2011 and my father after died 3 months later, after suffering 16 years of dementia. I helped them as much as I could for 20 years. My following your blog has helped me heal after letting myself get burned out (exhausted). I think it has also helped my grief process. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you, your blog, and your writing. Thank you so much! Your efforts are so appreciated and as I read your blogs, I imagine how hard this is physically and emotionally for you; I see how brave you are; and I send out little prayers/thoughts asking that things come along to make life easier for you and Ming. Thanks again!
I am so sorry for what you have gone through with the caring and then loss of your parents, Rae. And thank you so much for this amazing comment! xxx
Now for me, the worse Al became, the more I had to write. No one seemed to understand the depth of his pain and many couldn’t handle seeing him the way he was so he had very few visits. Writing kept me sane and then I went insane after he passed
I do understand and actually dread when Ants dies.
Raft-building?
Glad that you are to be focussing on writing instead š
Like acrobatics, raft-building was only ever a childhood dream ha!
Can you work on anything while you’re with Anthony. I would suppose not… because likely you’d have to spread stuff out… but maybe you could mark the blogs you want to us… ?? Anyway, I wish you well in however you decide to do it. Diane
Yes I can work whilst with Ants and have done in the past but I have become a bit lazy of late!
I can so identify… with that word ‘lazy’… I think though that you don’t have much time to be lazy… Diane
I love the picture! I know that you will create a must have book when you are finished and it will be a tremendous gift to the world. I just know it Jules š
I just have to do it now!
You will and I know what you mean about just doing it now; I’m in the same boat with my novel, I am the only thing standing in the way. It can be done. š
We can encourage each other!
I will always be your cheerleader Jules and feel free to give me a kick in the pants to get me going š
I look forward to your work Julie. Because I know it will be coming from this love story.
That means a lot – thank you C!
You’re welcome š
You know I would love to read another book by you I have already read the one you wrote about Alzheimer’s and found it very interesting.
Thanks Jo-Anne!
We get the benefit of your good writing even if you don’t. I hope your scheme of works turns out to useful.
I need a schedule!
Life is …..one step at a time. But its those single steps that take you where you want to go and give you time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Don’t try to hurry the steps or you’ll miss the best of what life has to offer.
……and this applies to your next book too. Slowly. Steadily. Re-read as the collection grows. Enjoy the memories.
Vicki
x
I am greatly encouraged by this Vicki – slow and steady – yes! After all, what is the hurry except in my silly mind.
It will be an important book, and you will get it done. I think it’s a brilliant idea to start using the quiet time for typing notes, and other ideas that may come forth.
Thanks Tiny!
Here’s to that book for all those people who need it.
It’s so great that you’ve kept a written record at all, no matter the form. I feel very confident that you will take all those pieces and bring them together in a brilliant way!
Good for you, for finding a way to make better use of your time. I feel like I’ve ‘wasted’ time by watching TV. I think this will work out perfectly for you. I wish you the best of luck in this phase of your book. I so love your passion for doing this.
you are so talented, writing being the one you are most comfortable with. i have always admired your writing ability and think you writing this new book is going to be fascinating. i look forward to reading your new book and hope to get a signed copy:)