"ARE YOU STILL IN THE BLOGGING BUSINESS ?"

    So began a recent e-mail from a niece when I had not posted after a longer than usual quiet time.  Allowing for the hyperbole of her inquiry, the interval had been longer than typical.

     When in seminary in Boston, I made the acquaintance of a then-notable Episcopal rector acclaimed for his pulpit eloquence and substantive sermons.  Following a rejuvenating vacation on Cape Cod, he acknowledged that he had "about reached the stage where I had nothing to say and no great desire to say it."  I admired his candor and wish to avoid platitudes and inanities.  It is not always possible to be creative on   a schedule.  Friends who are professional writers have told me that there are times when 'the juices do not flow' and various 'techniques' are helpful in moving through those times.

      Sometimes the "well is just  dry".  Ernest Hemingway when asked what made good writing said something to the effect of making the seat of  his pants adhere to the seat of a chair for long  periods of time.  No doubt, there are times when the answer is to 'keep digging' and maintain the discipline.  At other times, backing away from the effort and allowing the  springs to refill on their own timetable work better.  While 'Papa' Hemingway and I move on differing planes of literary skill and style, I also do not 'write for  
a living', so other matters intervene.  

    "Stay tuned."

        Satchel