Popinjay – Domestic (Like You’ve Never Seen It Before)

Domestic: a warm, apple pie or a freshly ironed shirt? A nicely decorated room or a freshly scrubbed bathroom? What does domestic look like to you? What are the things that make you feel domestic?

I told Karina yesterday that I much prefer the “fun” side of domestic: the decorating, the baking, the family activities. I get bored with the “everyday” domestic of laundry and dishes and mopping. The two are part & parcel and I embrace them fully, but I much prefer things like this or this over things like this or this.

Still, even with all this “domestic abundance” floating around as possible solutions to this week’s Popinjay photo challenge, I was at a bit of a loss as to what to photograph. What shall I choose to encompass “domestic” as I see it? I think I may surprise you…

You’ve probably heard the verse,

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)

This passage is a well known and excellent analogy for a good work ethic, in any situation, including homemaking. The ant, always busy, never idle, working quickly, making wise decisions.. has an incredible work ethic, don’t you think?

But what about the spider? What a diligent and excellent homemaker! Every strand of every web has been perfectly placed exactly where she wants it. The strands run together and look seemingly the same, the same as routine domestic days get marked off the calendar. Each strand is different though, unique in it’s placement, as each day bring it’s unique experiences. What if the spider suddenly decided she was tired of building webs? How would she catch her food? Where would she build her egg sack? (What kind of spider would she be then?) But she never does. The spider does what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. She works quickly. She works tirelessly. She creates much beauty. She does much hard work. And it’s the whole thing, the big picture, every strand and every fly that makes her what she is. It’s the whole package.

I have much to learn from the spider. Even though I personally am very CREEPED. OUT. by her presence I can at least admire her work ethic and diligence and appreciate her as a homemaker — from a distance. (So long as she’s not making her home IN MINE.)

My apologies, Michelle, for using spiders two weeks in a row!! At least this one was just the web. ; ) For more Popinjay, visit Michelle!!