"The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments of time, as well as materials."
- The American Frugal Housewife
Last night I pulled this book from my shelf after coming home from a visit to Emily Dickinson's homestead. I noticed it on the table in her parlor, Emily's father had given her mother a copy after his own father's bankruptcy (he invested his entire fortune into Amherst College) with hopes to impose frugality in the home.
I hadn't picked this book up in years and was comforted by reading a few pages. It always gives me pause, something to reflect on. The part about time in the quote above... I love that. Thinking of time as little fragments to be gathered up and used wisely. Even if "wise" use of time means doing nothing at all. Because while it is easy to think of being busy and productive with your time as a worthy effort - consciously doing "nothing" is a wonderful practice too. It's lost time that I could do without.
Gathering up all the fragments of time... that is my plan for the weekend.
