I watched every minute of the Cohen hearing yesterday. I’m glad I did, but it did mess with my routine. (If you haven’t seen Elijah Cummings’ closing statement, do watch it.) Today, I’m craving little chores and all of the little things I do in the course of a ‘normal’ day. It’s very cold out there, but sunny. We ended up with just a dusting of snow. Hurrah!
I will be glad when I’m able to spend some time outside, clearing out the gardens, planting seeds, and watching everything come back to life. Quite frankly, I’ll be happy to have something else other than the interior of the house to photograph. In the midst of winter, it gets awfully hard to find a new angle, a new something to photograph. It’s also tough to come up with anything exciting or different to write about. We’re like many of you; relatively housebound, waiting for spring, recovering from the flu or whatever. Neither of us is doing any work in our chosen field at the moment. Don is working on his ukulele technique and is learning some songs. He’s waiting for the warm weather to reappear so he can get back to his camera and taking street portraits. This has been a long break for him and it’s been hard. But I think he’s handled it well.
As for me, I have no idea if any coaching work awaits me or if this is the actual winding down of my career. It may be. If so, I’m okay with that. (Although I’d like the income, small as it may be!) We’ve both been reading a lot, loving our routine and life in our little cottage, watching movies, and pursuing our creative outlets.
In other words, not necessarily a lot to write about, but a daily rhythm which is comforting. We love our routine and we’ve been talking about that very thing this morning, as we saw a movie by Jim Jarmusch last night called Paterson. It’s a little gem of a film and it stars Adam Driver. Some people might find it boring because it doesn’t deal in big plot changes or any of the things we have grown to expect in this era of big everything and small attention spans. In fact, we caught ourselves thinking something bad was about to happen in several scenes and then we laughed at ourselves. Always expecting something bad to happen! It’s laughable. No, this is a quiet and compelling film and one of the things that spurs creativity for the character played by Adam Driver is routine. A routine that is honorable, yet freeing.
It sparked a big conversation this morning as we drank our second cup of coffee together on the living room sofa. We’re still talking about it. Also, one of the supporting actors looked familiar to me and I realized that I coached her in Chautauqua several years ago. She’s a good actress and I was happy to see her excellent work in this film.
I think the routine – washing dishes, mowing the lawn, vacuuming, doing a job you know like the back of your hand – can free up a portion of your mind, allowing magic to happen.
We’re going to watch it again. I loved it. And any film or play or performance or piece of art that sparks that much conversation is rare and wonderful.
Happy Thursday.
I love routine also and can get quite grumpy if I am away from it too long. (However, I also like new experiences, which I sprinkle among the routines.). Right now, fighting this cold is #1 priority so it’s just a new routine but hopefully not a permanent one!
Feel better, Wendy!
I’m gonna follow Don’s example and tune up my uke! Their warm and cheerful chords are the perfect recipe for all the cold/wind/snow/ice. Maybe they are the chicken soup for cabin fever?
I love hearing him play. Makes me happy!
Sometimes routines seem mundane and boring. But, I think after being not able to do our routines for a medical or other reason, there is such comfort in getting back to them. They act as a sort of anchor and are reassuring in a way. We tend to take our routines for granted until something keeps us from them. What a good feeling when we can return!
We should all do a bit of a happy dance to usher February, 2019, out of our lives, I think. I am believing that March coming in like a lion, will make it very enjoyable for us as it leaves like a lamb!! If only!!
I’ve always liked a predictable rhythm to a day – I find it comforting. Every once in a while – like when traveling – I’m all for a change. But normally, I like my routine!
i agree … i function and feel better if i can keep to my routines!
hope the uke-playing means don is all better and that you are, too!
kathy in iowa
Oh, he was playing his uke while he was sick!
Your post today reminded me – isn’t there some book or poem – “The Joy of Ordinary Days” – ???
I’m not at all sure about that, but it seems like at least the phrase is familiar. I think in the end it’s always the plain ordinary days that we look back on with the most fondness. I know I don’t think about the big events of my childhood nearly as much as the dull-old, regular-old days. Playing with my best friend Gary from down the street. Scouring the beach for shells & other “treasures.” Looking out the back window of my room, watching the slow rolling motion of the lake & trying to fall asleep when it was still light out in the Summer [SO hard to do when you’re 6 and 7]. The little things really are the most meaningful. Ah, philosophy! Enjoy your lovely ordinary day too. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Ordinary days bring the most joy, I think. Yes, big events can be joyful, but I take much more joy in watching a flower bloom or seeing my now-clean house, or a whole host of everyday things.
I don’t even realize a routine is building till it’s set! And sometimes I like the disruption, sometimes not! But it sounds like you two are having quite a lovely time of it, now that the crud is easing up some. You deserve it.
We are. We’re still easily tired out, but we’re definitely much better!
I long to get outside too Claudia…I miss my flowers so much!… watching Michael Cohen testify reminds of Aesop’s fable about the boy who cried wolf…he lied so many times that when he told the truth no one believed him…I pray that he is telling the truth now…also if Cohen deserves to be in prison so do Trump and his children!
I can’t imagine he isn’t telling the truth. If he lied, he’d add more years onto his prison sentence. He doesn’t want that. Plus, he was cleared for this testimony by the Office of the Special Counsel (Mueller).
I look forward to the day that Trump and his kids are in prison. Don Jr. has lied to Congress. Ivanka, Eric and Don Jr. are up to their necks in Trump Moscow and the company itself is going to be taken down (I’m pretty sure) by SDNY. It will be interesting.
What a welcome note you hit on today! As Chris K, says routine is so welcome when forced out of it. Having a medical crisis in the family has given me such cravings for what I call my ‘stupid days,’ puttering around the house, making a mess, starting a project, cleaning up a mess, the many silly errands that my mother sends me on, &, most of all, the phone calls to my mother to check on her at night.
Best to all.
Oh, the comfort of routine! I hope you can find your comfort soon, Martha!
Glad you only received a dusting. We did too. The sun melted most of the snow. All my sister had to do was brush off the stoop. Happy that you and Don are feeling better.
Marilyn
The weather forecast says 5 – 8 inches on Sunday. I’m hoping that’s wrong, Marilyn!
Six months into retirement, I’m still working on a meaningful “routine.” Kinda enjoying not “having” deadlines anymore. Watched the entire hearing yesterday too. I think Elijah Cummings is a great chairman and look forward to seeing what this committee will accomplish DESPITE the Republicans sitting on it.
Funny, Dean and I were just talking last night about wanting to get out into the garden and to the nursery. The snow is still knee deep back there so it’s going to be quite a while. My plan is to plant more roses this year. More snow is forecast for Sunday so hoping if March comes in like a lion, it will be going out as a lamb.
March is coming in like a lion here, as well. 5 – 8 inches forecast for Sunday night!
Good evening! Hard to tear away from the hearing yesterday. Some of our members of congress showed some interesting sides of themselves…not always good. Amazing and mesmerizing. I adore Adam Driver and Paterson was just as you described. I love quirky little movies.
I have to admit it was 50 and sunny today at my house and I wallowed in it. Wish I could package a bit of that for you Claudia dear.
Hugs!
Some of those members were playing to an audience of one – Trump.
So glad you liked Paterson, as well, Verna!