Saturday, August 08, 2009

Weakness or Strength?

Peeling a car isn't everyone's idea of fun. But my car needed it. It's an artcar, as I've mentioned here before. And my most recent attempt at a white background for the morning glories used housepaint. Bad idea.

It started to blister. Then ragged tatters of paint flapped in the breeze as I drove. Something had to be done.

So in late morning I started ripping off bits and strips of paint. It was so much fun. I kept thinking I would quit and go move the laundry from washer to dryer. But then I'd pull one more dirty bit of paint off and another.

And then I discovered that four hours had passed. Unbelievable! I would have believed maybe an hour and a quarter.

Which brings me to my point. I'm good at focusing, losing track of time, and staying with a project literally for decades. My point: our weaknesses are our strengths inappropriately applied. I could have quit earlier and borrowed a sander. Or settled for a less-peeled car. (It's no prize as it is, I'll tell you.) Or at least made a conscious choice. That's the key thing: to pause for a second to make a choice.







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5 comments:

kenju said...

Will you repaint it? I love the way it looked.

Peggy Payne said...

Thanks, Kenju. I'm keeping the flowers, just trying to improve the background a little, at least so the paint isn't tattered.

Debra said...

Those morning glories have lasted for quite some time! I wonder if you are know about town as "The Morning Glory Mobile".

You certainly can never be inconspicuous in your travels!

Peggy Payne said...

The "glories" have been blooming for a year and are hoping for another 125,000 miles.

Debra said...

Another 125,000 miles! That's some car!