147: Where the Dread Fern Grows

Lola the Dog’s dishes don’t get washed daily but…….we do our best.

Do you wash your pet dishes every day’? You’re supposed to, according to The Experts - but let’s be honest, if you’re managing to get it done once a week, you’re probably doing OK. But this does kind of strengthen the argument for having people dishes and pet dishes be the same dishes - just wash them all when you’re done with them! No? Maybe not. Not everyone wants to eat cereal out of a puzzle dish, I supposed.

We also discussed floor cleaners (Bona, Method, the usual suspects), the benefits of a Cleaning Toothbrush (TM), and Andrew undertook an on-air experiment that did not, to be honest, go great. But that was less to do with the project - cleaning hook-and-loop closures with a toothbrush - and more to do with where the toothbrush had been before. But that’s ok! Because sometimes we just have to try stuff.

We also talked about procrastination and how sometimes, procrastinating actually makes you more productive. Because, let’s be honest, if you’re bathing your cat instead of sending an email, it’s not like you’re not productive. Consider it part of the process.

Oh, and of course, I shared the story of the whole-ass FERN THAT WAS GROWING FROM MY NEIGHBOR’S GUTTER. EW.

You can also dig into it some. In a newsletter from a while back, George Saunders wrote about how procrastination can be a reflection of worry - that we’re worried the thing we’re doing won’t be good, or we won’t be able to do it justice, or the result will be unpleasant. So I guess the question there is: Why are you putting it off? And is there a way you can do just some of the chore/job/task without getting near the part that makes you feel big feelings?

As always, we love to hear what you’re up to. What are you cleaning? What are you avoiding? Leave us a voicemail. We love to hear from you!