THE RABBIT HOLE
Yesterday I finally finished the narrative portion of a tri-fold brochure another volunteer (who’s a graphic designer) and I am putting together to celebrate the 60th anniversary year of the Friends of the Evesham Township (NJ) Library.
It’s nothing too long or complicated. I begin by describing what the town was like in 1963 (pop. 4,548) compared to today (pop. 46,825), continue with a condensed history of the Library, and end with a list of all the programs and enhancements the FOETL have accomplished over the years.
The history of the Library and list of activities was easy. I just had to copy, paste, rewrite emails and announcements and solicitations letters I’ve written before. But the other information – the number of schools, which buildings were still standing, the then newly-built housing developments replacing the farms, even the Nike Base installed to protect Philadelphia during the Cold War – had to be researched.
I love doing research. Too much. I fell down the rabbit hole. I really didn’t need to read Maurice Horner’s 1971 history of Evesham, which concentrates mostly on the 17th and 18th centuries. But I did.
I spent more time with Google than with my family.
Which is my explanation for why a project that should have taken a day or two instead took 3 weeks.
And why my doctoral dissertation took 10 years.
And why Killah Megillah is about 5 years behind schedule.
rabbi.author 