“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
Some mornings I am Cinderella. Blue birds are singing and helping me get dressed. They alight on my shoulder and tweet a lovely song. The world is a happy place. Today is not one of those mornings. The phone woke me up, but I didn’t answer. I knew it was the first robocall. Several more will follow. I went back to sleep. Fern woke me up with her constant meowing. I tried to ignore her, but she was far too loud and grating. The meowing was my fault-the water dish was almost empty. I filled it and went back to bed. Gracie then got restless and went downstairs. I tried to go back to sleep. It didn’t work. I went to brush my teeth and found a cat had been sick on the hall floor. I cleaned it up. Next I went downstairs, ran out into the pouring rain and got my paper. I then noticed the dog had gotten sick on the rug. She always aims for that rug. I cleaned it up. The coffee went on. I started to read the paper and then I realized it was quiet: all the animals were sleeping. That was my morning.
On winter days the choices were limited. After school we’d bike if the weather was winter warm. Snow still on the ground meant sledding but only for a few runs. The dark came early. By twilight we were done. On really cold days we were stuck inside school during the day and in the house the rest of the time. The walk home was our only outside and it was freezing.
Most times I never minded staying inside. I’d cozy up with a book. That was all I needed. Sometimes, though, I’d get bored. There was nothing to do. I couldn’t go outside and risk frostbite. Good TV was an hour or so away. I didn’t want to read anymore. I didn’t want to talk anybody. I didn’t know what I wanted.
I still get bored. Sometimes I just throw up my hands in surrender and go take a nap. Other times Gracie and I go for a ride. I never stay bored long. There are so many choices now, but I usually seem to choose the standby, reading. The afternoon disappears while I’m caught by a book. I forget about boredom.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: bad morning, biking, bluebirds, bored, Cinderella, meowing, reading, Sledding, throw up, twilight, winter days
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February 4, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Maggie the Westie turned 13 yesterday. I know because we got a birthday email from her doggie doctor, where, thanks to Maggie they all drive Cadillacs.
Its been a difficult last year for our terrier of choice, and now we have been doing battle over an ulcerated eye. Drops, pills and creams have to be administered at regular intervals which are interspersed with varying degrees of co-operation. At 10 o’clock at night, do I know if I really managed to get the one eye drop in to the problem area ?
Maggie used to love to ride in the car, and being smart would harass me on a Saturday until the two of us went cruising. She doesn’t ask anymore.
February 4, 2016 at 1:15 pm
My Dear Hedley,
Best wishes to Maggie from all of us. What I paid the vet for one of my boxers is equal to two trips of Ghana.
I am so sorry. I totally understand having to watch and ache for a sick baby, albeit a fur one.
Maybe like all of us she forgets more as she gets older. Perhaps a hint from you might just work.
February 4, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Hedley …
Sorry to hear about Maggie’s condition. I hope it improves soon.
February 4, 2016 at 1:05 pm
I had problems getting up today, the alarm was screaming but it felt so nice beneath the warm blanket. Sune was a bit toio happy though so I knew he had to hurry out the door.
It has been a wonderful day here though, the sun has been shining and the wind has been abscent. I worked in the neighbor factory today so I could enjoy the weather for a short while when I was walking to and from that factory. It was even a bit of daylight left when I came home 🙂 The hope of spring has slowly started to grow in my mind even if I know that most likely won’t happen until late March if we’re lucky.
Yes books are always a good way to fight boredome, either that or a nap 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
February 4, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Christer,
I know how awful getting out of a warm bed on a cold dark morning is. I commiserate with you.
It rained all morning, heavily too, then the rain slowed down. It is not raining now but it is ugly, damp and dark.
Snow may be on the way again!
Enjoy the evening!
February 4, 2016 at 3:07 pm
No Cinderella here this morning … hadda run the car to the mech shop. Unfortunately for me (or fortunately for them), they were booked solid and there were five cars ahead of me, so I made the Executive Decision to return home and hope the problem doesn’t recur before I bring it back to ‘em Monday. Problem is, when I turn the key in the ignition, there’s dead silence. No ‘whir.’ No ‘click.’ No ‘thunk’ from a solenoid. Gauge displays are normal. Alternator overcharging? Don’t think so. Seems most likely that the ignition switch may be gettin’ ready for that ‘Twilight of the Switch’ moment … after which it’ll shuffle off to wherever Ignition Switch Valhalla may be. Meanwhile, I just keep cookin’ more food … good therapy, cooking.
It’s actually cool here today. We got into the 30s last nite and we’re s’posed to go ‘Low 20s’ tonite. YAY! Me, I likes dat some much, yeah. With luck, we may even get a dusting of snow (or ‘sneaux’) next week.
I have never minded staying inside. It’s comfortable. It means I’m not on the street looking for a warm cardboard box to sleep in under a bridge somewhere. When I was much younger, I read an awful lot more than today … now it’s more Photoshop and Illustrator than reading – unless it’s reading tech manuals about techniques and efficiency. Most of the things I used to read – mainly science fiction and military history – are still with me, but they’re still boxed up from the move here after Katrina. I’ve never gotten the urge to unbox. Maybe one day …
I used to get bored. I don’t anymore. There are too many things left to do – and to cook – to be bored. I quite honestly don’t understand – and can’t relate to – people who say they’re bored all the time. I want to shake them and say ‘Get a LIFE!,’ but don’t. I just avoid being with them ‘cuz I know I’m not going to bring them ‘up’ and I’m not about to let them bring me ‘down.’ Life is the cumulative result of choices we made and make … I choose to be happy. Their mileage may vary … and I don’t care.
February 4, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Richard,
I easily and quickly panic at car trouble. It is so far out of my knowledge base, and I always think it is dire. Only once was it so. Now I drive so little the car has needed only oil changes.
It stayed dank all day today. I didn’t even bother to go out except to get the paper. Gracie came back inside soaked each time. I guess tomorrow will be snowy.
In the summer, I live on the deck during the day. If there is a breeze, it gets it. If it’s sunny I get to stay under the umbrella. On scorching days I stay inside with the AC cranking.
I do get bored once in a while but it seldom lasts long. Usually I find something to do or I pick up my book and sometimes I even clean.
I like my life!!
February 4, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Mornings now have a beat to them, but no singing. They are doing construction work on the apartment above me, which begins at 7pm. Murderous thoughts go thru my mind as I try to sleep. Yes, the hairballs, the vibrations have been akin to an earthquake– one of my candle containers jumped to the floor, yesterday. This will go on for 2 or 3 months.
I am having an arguing ( of course) with my landlord about putting up notices, ( his business license, which is a legal requirement, and the name and number of the licensed contractor). I don’t believe he is even using a licensed contractor– as when I try to speak to the people doing the work, they all say nonononon, and get out their Iphone. Eek.
Now it quiet.
What would my fairy tale character be– certainly not Cinderella?
I hope Grace and girls are doing well.
Lori and the “crew”
February 4, 2016 at 9:13 pm
Lori,
The law here requires the building permit to be prominently placed. It does not require the business license. I think I’d prefer it be the building permit as it can only be given to licensed contractors.
We’re all doing well. How about you and Cookie?
February 7, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Back in the days you mention in this day’s post, when it was bad weather out in west Texas (San Angelo), I always knew what to do when I’d had enough of reading: I would approach my shortwave radio and listen in on Europe and/or Australia. That was the fun thing to do for me before the Internet arrived. There were always cultural events to listen to or music to sample that I’d never heard or contemplated before.
Then, as I got a little older, I got my ham license. I could then cast a line out into the ether with a “CQ” call and find someone, somewhere, who wanted to talk with me. I could do this with voice or Morse Code. What thrills to find someone at some great distance. I’d find out what they could see when they went out their front door each day. Likely, they didn’t even think about that scene, until I brought it up. Plumbing the depths of some distant person’s life. That will keep you busy.
Life is like an onion, you can peel it back to seemingly infinite, tiny layers, enjoying or discarding each one, as you see fit.
February 7, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Rick,
That sounds so wonderful. You’re right. Outside my front door is something I don’t really notice. I just come and go. To describe it to someone else would make me really look at what has become a routine view.
One of the den windows looks into the back yard. I only get to see the branches of trees from the couch, but I can see the snow falling and can tell how much by checking the snow on top of the branches. Every now and then I look out the doors as well.
I call my sister outside of Boston to find out how her storm is progressing. I am always glad when she is getting more snow than I am.