January Mantle and a Confession

Alright, I'm going to let you in on a secret obsession of mine. 

 It was bound to come out sooner or later. 

 If I didn't tell you myself, it would quickly have become evident. 

I find great joy in arranging things. 

 There. I said it. Don't judge.

I can spend a lot of time (too much) moving a little thing 

a few centimeters this way and that until I am satisfied. 

My living room mantle provides an ever-shifting canvas 

for indulging this obsession.

To me, composition matters.  And so does content, actually. 

I think the current trend of chalkboard-everything is great. 

It can go too far though.

 

(Pottery Barn chalkboard rocks, originally priced $16 for four!)

Really? 

Don't buy chalkboard stuff. Make it. 

It's one of the easiest and cheapest homey-crafty things you can do.

But, back to my obsession:

In my slightly neurotic, visually compulsive world, 

objects, placed just right, 

and a glimpse of a few well-chosen words 

have the potential to express meaning 

and to encourage thoughtfulness.  

This is a Lenten mantle.

 

Is it just me, or does the multi-layered, peeling, 

bleached and time-worn frame on that mirror speak to you too?

Let's take a moment to listen.

Now go shift stuff around and stare at it.

Others may think you're nuts,

but I will understand.