There always seems to be so much to do and not enough energy to do everything; sometimes it seems there is no energy for anything. I recall a birthday card I received from a close friend several years ago. “Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.” I posted the card above my desk at work (back when I worked). I’m not sure I realized the quote was Mark Twain. Then, of course, there was Scarlett in Gone With the Wind, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do, I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Yes, Scarlett. I’m a list maker. It’s a good day if I cross off two things and only add three or four.
Weather can have a strong effect on energy levels; one’s desire to do something. I recall reading a diary of Ragna Hamilton, a year she spent in the late 40s, recovering from her internment in Ravensbruck, a concentration camp, and a post war divorce. She was living with Rodney Hamilton, an RAF pilot, in a Napoleonic fort in Northen Ireland. They were attempting to raise pigs. In her diary, Ragna recorded her daily moods. On rainy days, and there were many, she felt alone, depressed, suicidal; then the sun came out. She and Rodney would share a picnic lunch, bottle of wine, boat ride. Life was good. Love was in the air. Unfortunately I lost the diary in a flood.
In November, 2017, we took the kids to see “Annie” at the Walnut Street Theatre. Remember the lyric:
The sun will come out tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There’ll be sun
Just thinkin’ about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
’til there’s none
When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh
The sun will come out tomorrow
So you gotta hang on
’til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow
You’re always a day away!
When I’m stuck with a day that’s grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say.
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow
You’re always a day away …
How poetic, glorious. . .
But then there are the loose ends, the to do list. My current in no particular order includes: finish cutting the grass (then take the lawn mower to be repaired, auto movement isn’t working); grill eggplant, yard sale of basement stuff; sell stamp collection; organize books; buy a new camera; plan Maine trip; digitize slides; weed garden; make beer and cheese (of course bread and biscuits); clothes to Good Will; buy pants; sand and finish dining room and kitchen floors (well not me, but hire someone); stain deck (controversial, it doesn’t seem to last a season); should I go on.
This doesn’t include local field trips, lunches out, writing, reading and walking.
I’ve also been thinking about doing, energy levels, and the lack of it related to companionship, friendship, who we live with, spend our days and hours with, our roommate, spouse. Some days I go dog walking with Diane. Other mornings I walk on the canal behind the house, alone. Many of the runners, walkers, cyclists, out on the canal are solo. I have sisters, friends and acquaintances that live alone. I think I need people contact. I can’t imagine living alone. Interestingly, I had lunch with Dan Ryan, a HGP friend today, he lives alone and couldn’t imagine otherwise.
Tomorrow, weather, companionship, energy levels, to do lists.
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk, you’ll never walk alone
