Monday, July 23, 2012

Patience, Dear

You guys, I went to a music festival this weekend and was out late Friday and Saturday nights. We hosted Sunday lunch (instead of dinner) so we could make it to the last concert, but we pooped out. I said it was because we were old. The dude reminded me that when we were in our 20s we had fewer responsibilities and could sleep later to catch up. "And we still had days where we hung around like zombies." (Or something to that effect.) And it's true. Didn't have to get up and walk the dog. Didn't have to make a taco party for eight. Didn't have to clean a whole house, just an apartment (if we even bothered). Still, we think our days of music festivals are over. Anyway, it's the perfect day to talk about being irritated rather than about my (nonexistent) stitching.


SBQ from CinDC via Lee: This statement is irritating: "Oh, I don't have the patience for stitching/crafting." How do you respond when you get that kind of statement? What's the best response you've ever heard/seen?
It turns out I have talked about patience a lot in the past nine years of blogging:
In 2004, I talked about being the one in the family "who has no patience."
In 2005, "I went to the source of all important human knowledge, written in part by a man who perfomed autopeotomy, so you know it's got to be good, the Oxford English Dictionary" and thought hard about the word "patience." (If you're only going to click once, click here. Autopeotomy! C'mon, how many stitching bloggers talk about that?)
In 2010, I substituted "tenacity and dedication" for patience.

11 comments:

barbara said...

I don't mind the 'patience' comments, but I do prickle a bit when someone says they'd do it if they had the time .... I usually manage to politely respond that it's a matter of 'making time' for something enjoyable but I have to admit that it irks me that people seem to assume that hobbyists just sit around all day with nothing else to do. :P

Arthemise said...

I am not a patient person, as my husband can attest to. I am, however, diligent and determined. So you're right; it's not at all about patience. Well, maybe it is when I don't chuck the thing in the garbage when I'm trying to do hardanger. I do curse a blue streak, though.

Jennifer said...

I agree with Barbara. My SIL says this to me all the time - "Oh, I don't have the time for that." It's very condescending, and I can't imagine saying that about something that's important to her or that she enjoys. (Well I could, but I feel rude just thinking it)

The kicker is, she turns around and says, "You should sell your finished pieces. I bet you could make some money". Nevermind copyright issues, clearly she doesn't understand how much time it takes to stitch something, or the cost of the materials.

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Thanks for introducing me to a new word! I do wonder, though, why the ending isn't "ectomy" rather than "otomy." And most people who know me would not decribe me as "patient"!

Anonymous said...

ROFL I could not help but have a vision of someone with no patience for stitching gladly opt for an autopeotomy! O.o Wow...harsh! Patience is a state of mind that comes from understanding and accepting the surrounding happenings one must endure on a daily basis. In that patience one can relax and enjoy the simpler things in life and and possibly create through their own hands wonderful things to make life more enjoyable. I just tend to feel sorry for those that can't find theirs. I have 3 kid....I FOUND mine. LOL

Jeanne said...

Ahh you touched on one of my pet peeves - I hate those comments from non-hobbyists about patience nad "I could never do that". If it's something you love, you try to make time for it. They act like it's drudgery but to us it's NOT boring. Frankly in my opinion many of these people are just plain narrow-minded and don't even realize how annoying they can be. I've got one acquaintance who can't go to a movie even because she "can't sit still that long". Puh-leeze...........

Mary said...

LOVE the change to "tenacity and dedication", as well as "diligent and determined" - both miles better and more descriptive of my stitching state of mind than "patience". That last word is not really descriptive of much about me or my approach to life.

Thanks to you all for the new thoughts!

Mary in MN

Hazel said...

Wow. I am just shocked to learn that the man who wrote the OED performed THAT!!! Stunned. Quite stunned. Sorry - what was the question????

Daffycat said...

I've started turning into a pumpkin after 8 pm. Dunno when THAT started - lol

Needle Nicely said...

You are neverendingly amusing. Thank you so much for just being there!!and spell check just went into a frenzy about neverendingly. Obviously I've just coined a word! I'm marvelous!

Coral said...

My two fav comments: "I couldn't do that." I want to reply "(with an attitude like that) you're right.".

And the famous "I don't have time for that." When I have just seen you sit and do nothing for four hours! They have their priorities. We have ours.