On the Edge

"Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning."
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones

Did you ever really understand what people meant when they talked about pushing the envelope? What kind of envelope? Empty and unsealed, filled with unpaid bills, crammed with old love letters from need-to-be-forgotten beaus? Stamped and postmarked? Containing the secreted names of the next Oscar winners? Addressed to me or to someone else?

And to which ultimate destination were we, envelope-pushing novitiates, to push it? Into the mailbox? Into the waiting hands of someone more qualified or prepared to delve into its contents? Into the desk drawer, already stuffed with the envelope pushings of a paper-intensive lifetime?

I can only imagine that the proverbial envelope was meant to be pushed all the way to the edge--and beyond.

But there are edges, and then there are edges.

I wouldn't have any problem pushing the envelope to the edge of the kitchen table, and even over the edge. Watching it flutter to the hardwood floor like a Forrest Gumpian feather wouldn't bother me a bit, since I'm completely able to bend over and pick it up again. I'm still in control, you see--the envelope hasn't exited my field of vision or the reach of my grasp. I still have first right of retrieval.

Nothing can be lost with edge-of-the-table pushing. And nothing gained, either.

There's more risk involved in pushing an overflowing second-day air envelope over the edge of a Fed-Ex box, especially if the envelope contains my latest book proposal and is, after being pushed, irreversibly on its way to an editor or an agent. The possible rejection inherent in that push is one that's caused me to pull back from the edge more than once.

Something can be lost with edge-of-the-mailbox pushing. And something gained, too.

The Bible says that Jesus, through his sacrifice on the cross, cancelled the enormous debt of my sin, which racked up interest minute by minute and accumulated late charges and overdue fees I could never repay. I can picture Him writing "Paid in Full" on the wretched bill, sealing in into an envelope with the King's insignia, and casting it as far away from me as the east is from the west. Over the edge, into a more certain eternity than anything this side of the chasm.

When this life is done, I'll be on the very edge of beginning.

And I'll be thrilled that Jesus knew just where to push the envelope.

Read the Marginal take on this quote...

Posted by Katy on 11/29/04 at 10:05 PM

Fallible Comments...

Hmmm... I can't seem to access the comment page because I don't use Blogger. I don't see any article, and the frontpage is blank.

Is my experience unique, or is everyone seeing this?
-----
Posted by Kevin on 11/30/04 at 06:36 AM
OK, Kevin--I'm off to consult with my in-house tech!
Posted by Katy Raymond on 11/30/04 at 06:38 AM
Katy, your new template is gorgeous and you (and Doug) are too clever. What an interesting concept. Will keep reading with interest.
Posted by violet on 11/30/04 at 09:39 AM
wow. what a cool idea. i am really looking forward to this. also, i love the new look!
Posted by joshua on 11/30/04 at 11:00 AM
Great new look, ma'am, but I'm pleased to note the fine feast you spread for us here remains the same............
Posted by Jim on 12/01/04 at 05:32 AM
writing down the bones...you've reminded me to take that one off the shelf and finish it. good stuff!

justadjust.blogspot.com
Posted by lisa on 12/01/04 at 08:46 PM
Wow Katy, I LOVE the new look. I'm heading over to check out your hubby's blog now.
Posted by Cindy Swanson on 12/02/04 at 01:02 AM
You know the origins of the phrase "pushing the envelope?" It may be that you do, and are just having fun with it. If not...

I believe it comes from experimental jet pilots, a'la "The Right Stuff." You could only turn so tightly. Too tight, you lost control. The curve which bounded this allow space of movement was "the envelope". Turning or maneuvering too fast and tightly was "pushing it". Sometimes, a pilot would "punch holes in the envelope" and go out of control.

Like the new look too. But I miss the old one. Went to show your blog to a friend, 'cause I liked the quilting and -- oh, what is this? -- gone forever. Out with the old, in with the new.

Thank you, Katy.

- Tim
Posted by Tim (Random Observations) on 12/05/04 at 01:57 PM
I did NOT know about pushing the envelope. My hub doesn't know, either, because I asked him about the phrase before I wrote this. He will love your explanation--and he'll even understand it!

Maybe Doug can send you the quilt design? I hate for a reader to miss his quilt! Doug, by the way, calls it "knitting."
Posted by Katy Raymond on 12/05/04 at 07:44 PM

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Personal blog of christian writer & fallible mom Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri Katy is represented by Greg Johnson at WordServe Literary Read more Katy at LateBoomer.net Follow Katy on Twitter Follow Katy on Facebook 123 Recent Posts Try Becoming Brenda Starr Off Beat Scattered That’s It So I’ve Finally Signed With An Agent. Now What? The Spoon Sciatica Sweetheart A Woman’s Train of Thought Has No Caboose However much we own, we are all still living on borrowed time After all, when restaurants shrink portions, they don’t shrink prices. As with everything in life, balance is key. Slow down, you move too fast… Yeah, I know. I have issues. Search Advanced Search Syndicate Login E me at katy @ ngenius.com	On the Edge "Sometimes when you think you are done, it is just the edge of beginning." Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones Did you ever really understand what people meant when they talked about pushing the envelope? What kind of envelope? Empty and unsealed, filled with unpaid bills, crammed with old love letters from need-to-be-forgotten beaus? Stamped and postmarked? Containing the secreted names of the next Oscar winners? Addressed to me or to someone else? And to which ultimate destination were we, envelope-pushing novitiates, to push it? Into the mailbox? Into the waiting hands of someone more qualified or prepared to delve into its contents? Into the desk drawer, already stuffed with the envelope pushings of a paper-intensive lifetime? I can only imagine that the proverbial envelope was meant to be pushed all the way to the edge--and beyond. But there are edges, and then there are edges. I wouldn't have any problem pushing the envelope to the edge of the kitchen table, and even over the edge. Watching it flutter to the hardwood floor like a Forrest Gumpian feather wouldn't bother me a bit, since I'm completely able to bend over and pick it up again. I'm still in control, you see--the envelope hasn't exited my field of vision or the reach of my grasp. I still have first right of retrieval. Nothing can be lost with edge-of-the-table pushing. And nothing gained, either. There's more risk involved in pushing an overflowing second-day air envelope over the edge of a Fed-Ex box, especially if the envelope contains my latest book proposal and is, after being pushed, irreversibly on its way to an editor or an agent. The possible rejection inherent in that push is one that's caused me to pull back from the edge more than once. Something can be lost with edge-of-the-mailbox pushing. And something gained, too. The Bible says that Jesus, through his sacrifice on the cross, cancelled the enormous debt of my sin, which racked up interest minute by minute and accumulated late charges and overdue fees I could never repay. I can picture Him writing "Paid in Full" on the wretched bill, sealing in into an envelope with the King's insignia, and casting it as far away from me as the east is from the west. Over the edge, into a more certain eternity than anything this side of the chasm. When this life is done, I'll be on the very edge of beginning. And I'll be thrilled that Jesus knew just where to push the envelope. Read the Marginal take on this quote... Posted by Katy on 11/29/04 at 10:05 PM Fallible Comments... Hmmm... I can't seem to access the comment page because I don't use Blogger. I don't see any article, and the frontpage is blank. Is my experience unique, or is everyone seeing this? ----- Posted by Kevin on 11/30/04 at 06:36 AM OK, Kevin--I'm off to consult with my in-house tech! Posted by Katy Raymond on 11/30/04 at 06:38 AM Katy, your new template is gorgeous and you (and Doug) are too clever. What an interesting concept. Will keep reading with interest. Posted by violet on 11/30/04 at 09:39 AM wow. what a cool idea. i am really looking forward to this. also, i love the new look! Posted by joshua on 11/30/04 at 11:00 AM Great new look, ma'am, but I'm pleased to note the fine feast you spread for us here remains the same............ Posted by Jim on 12/01/04 at 05:32 AM writing down the bones...you've reminded me to take that one off the shelf and finish it. good stuff! justadjust.blogspot.com Posted by lisa on 12/01/04 at 08:46 PM Wow Katy, I LOVE the new look. I'm heading over to check out your hubby's blog now. Posted by Cindy Swanson on 12/02/04 at 01:02 AM You know the origins of the phrase "pushing the envelope?" It may be that you do, and are just having fun with it. If not... I believe it comes from experimental jet pilots, a'la "The Right Stuff." You could only turn so tightly. Too tight, you lost control. The curve which bounded this allow space of movement was "the envelope". Turning or maneuvering too fast and tightly was "pushing it". Sometimes, a pilot would "punch holes in the envelope" and go out of control. Like the new look too. But I miss the old one. Went to show your blog to a friend, 'cause I liked the quilting and -- oh, what is this? -- gone forever. Out with the old, in with the new. Thank you, Katy. - Tim Posted by Tim (Random Observations) on 12/05/04 at 01:57 PM I did NOT know about pushing the envelope. My hub doesn't know, either, because I asked him about the phrase before I wrote this. He will love your explanation--and he'll even understand it! Maybe Doug can send you the quilt design? I hate for a reader to miss his quilt! Doug, by the way, calls it "knitting." Posted by Katy Raymond on 12/05/04 at 07:44 PM Page 1 of 1 pages Commenting is not available in this weblog entry. Next entry: The Art of Creation Previous entry: And the Two Shall Become... << Back to main


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Personal blog of christianwriter & fallible momKaty McKenna Raymondin Kansas City, Missouri

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On the Edge

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri