”…the round, white, foolish face of the clock…”
If you look in the dictionary at the definition of fall, you’d see a description of today. The sun is brilliant. The sky is a Crayola blue, a perfect cerulean color. The every now and then breeze ruffles even the top most branches. It is 49° but will reach the mid-50’s today. I didn’t get out yesterday so today is dump day. I did fill the bird feeders. This morning, I watched out the window while my coffee was brewing. For the first time, a couple of blue jays dropped by but didn’t stay. I was glad. They are pigs who scare away the small birds. The chickadees came right back.
I spent too much of the time I have remaining here on Earth on the phone this morning. I was trying to refill a prescription. I jumped between two web sites trying to find a person. I was not successful, but I got close. My patience, not my long suit, finally gave out so I’ll try again tomorrow.
In Ghana, time was described as European or Ghanaian. Even though I was from the US, I was considered European because I am white. If you invited Ghanaians to your house, they would always ask Ghanaian or European time. European time was punctual. Ghanaian time was whenever. When I traveled a distance, I used to take government buses because they left on time. Local lorries left when they were full. I’d sit in the shade sometimes for a few hours before the lorry would leave. I have never been as patient as I was when I lived in Ghana.
When I was a kid, the time of day was only important on weekdays and Sunday mornings, for school and for church. My mother was the timekeeper. She made sure we were never late. She always added a few extra minutes in case we meandered. All the rest of the time was ours. We didn’t need watches. After school we played outside until the streetlights turned on, later in summer and earlier in winter. Saturdays were timeless. I just needed to be home for supper.
As for now, I don’t wear a watch. Most of every day is mine to do what I want or to do nothing, which is often my choice. Time is only important if I have an obligation like an appointment. I just make sure I leave to arrive on time.
The dump closes at 4. I figure to leave the house no later than 3:30. My next obligation is uke practice on Tuesday. Until then, I’m on my own.
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
October 27, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Hi Kat,
I feel naked without a watch, or my iPhone. Time is a very important part of my life. Today was gorgeous. I’m writing this while sitting on my covered patio. The high temperature today is a pleasant 86° with very low humidity and calm winds.
I love your description of Ghanaians asking which time they should observe, European or Ghanaian?
The first time I visited northern Italy, I was told to expect my students at three in the afternoon, they showed up at five. They didn’t think that was a problem. I decided that the Italians were like the Mexicans, with an additional 2,000 years of practice. 🙂
My late mother-in-law drove me nuts because she operated on Jewish standard time, at least 30 minutes late. Ghanaian, Italian, Mexican, or Jewish time just means to me that you are selfish. You think that your time is more valuable than mine. I used to get frustrated with doctor appointments who were always running late. However, my spouse explained to me that a doctor’s time with a patient may take longer than expected depending on the needs of the patient. Some physicians rush their patients out because the insurance only pays for a limited amount of time with each patient. I would switch doctors in a New York minute if mine did that to me.
These days I rarely see him. When I go in for a physical, I see his PA, Physician Assistant. I joke with her that the primary care doctor is too busy making millions in the medical supply business. 🙂
I’m extreamly concerned that this election is this close. It seems to me that if you believe in our constitutional democracy, how could you cast a ballot for Trump. He and his demented minions have spelled out their plans for a second Trump term in the Heritage foundation’s Project 2025. Even if that wasn’t enough, then Trump’s latest rants are completely confused and insane. He’s either suffering from dementia or he’s just crazy. Maybe he’s a little of both. Earlier last week he was confused between Obama and Biden as to who was the sitting President. He rants about using the military to go after his perceived enemies. Maybe the good lord will give us a Democratic Party victory, I don’t give much hope for that happening, because the deity allowed Adolf Hitler to give us the Holocaust. 😦
October 27, 2024 at 8:05 pm
Hi Bob,
I have the most beautiful watch my mother gave me on my fiftieth birthday. It has a real red leather band and silver around the face. I wear it as a fashion accessory. Right now it needs a battery. I also have quite an old watch with Roman numerals.
In Ghana, places closed from 12 to 2, even the post office. It was the hottest part of the day. That is or was l’m not sure, the custom in several countries. Noel Coward wrote the most wonderful song entitled Only Mad Dogs and Englishmen Go Out in the Noon Day Sun. I suspect your Italians thought similarly.
I had a friend who was always late. She drove me crazy. In this country lack of punctuality is discourteous and disrespectful, but not in other countries. Time is relative. I learned not to expect American standards of behavior in other places. I didn’t think it was fair.
Like you, I am fearful about this election. I do not understand how people can listen to Trump and believe his lies, his ridiculous lies. I think it is dementia. He is confused about where he is, who is president and doesn’t remember the people with who he has had contact like Pelosi. He no longer does many night events because of sundowning. His handlers are careful.