Monday, August 13, 2012

Monday This and That

It is important from time to time to slow down,
to go away by yourself, and simply be.

Eileen Caddy


Ah, another weekend has passed on by, and I have nothing remarkable to report. Is that what growing older means?  Alas, though, I love these wonderful quiet weekends where I've nothing pending, and I can take my time about things and do as I wish.  Such a blessing they are!  In my youth, Friday and Saturday were always a time to party, a time to have fun.  Gosh, it was dreadful if plans fell through, and I had to stay home. Now my home is my haven, and sometimes I wonder if I would ever leave if I didn't have to work.  After all, shopping can now be done online and delivered. 

Actually, this weekend was spent nursing a nasty little cold.  Those annoying tickles became a full-fledged cold by the time I got home from my test on Friday. I'd planned to go to the fruit stand on Saturday but decided that, since I was dressed, I'd take a walk there on Friday.  It's always fun to see what new they have, and sometimes very disappointing as well.  There are quite a few new fruits that I tried, loved, and never found again.  They did have some donut peaches and dinosaur plums back so that made me quite happy.  I also found a plum like fruit that looked quite interesting and was ready to give it a try, but when I saw the price--$4.99 each--I quickly put it back.  What was inside of it anyway, gold?

I've been getting sick with colds quite often since my office moved to its new location.  We all have.  I realize that it is not so much our clients that are passing these illnesses on, but rather those who live in the shelter. Why they would build the outpatient clinic, where clients also come in from the streets, on the 10th floor and the two shelters on the lower floors, I'll never know.  In my opinion, we'd do so much better on the lower floors.  Needless to say, it is done now, and we're stuck riding a crowded elevator up 10 flights with the people who reside in the shelters.  Now, please, don't get me wrong.  I am not looking down on them in any way.  I am just stating facts. Many  have always lived on the streets and the little niceties in life, like covering one's mouth when they cough, have never been learned.  Riding that elevator is like stepping into a 'sea of germs'. 

Proper hygiene, as well, is something else that many of them have to be taught. There is nothing worse than riding the elevator in the early morn with someone who hasn't bathed or used deodorant in a week or more or has urinated in their pants and continue wearing them without washing them out.  Sometimes it is so bad I feel like throwing up.  It's a smell that sticks with you for awhile.  I often think if only I could walk up the stairs, but, alas, with my arthritic back I can barely make one flight let alone ten.

I was thinking that soon it will be time to change the look of my blog.  The seasons are changing quickly, and this is one summer, I will be glad to see go.  It's been far too hot and humid to do much of anything.  Whenever I do step out on the weekends, it's always such a relief to get back home.  I feel like I missed out on so much this year.  Perhaps it is because this is my first summer in my new home, and I had planned on doing so much.  But, perhaps it is that this is what was meant to be.  Perhaps slowing down and taking it is easy, taking care of self, is what I am supposed to do.
What is time? The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock,
the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months,
years, centuries--these are but arbitrary and outward signs,
the measure of Time, not Time itself. Time is the Life of the Soul.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

6 comments:

  1. I know what you mean - I love to stay home on my days off, or stay local and walk places. I find a lot of great things in our local dollar store and we have a small market that takes me back in time! And the heat - I think so many of us are anxious for Fall!!

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  2. Personally, I think all ages could do well with slowing down, and taking better care of self.

    Where did that "Rule" come from??? The one which keeps telling us, that life is nothing, unless lived on-the-run. At break-neck pace. Be Busy. Stay Busy. Packing lots and lots of events in. Running from this to that, to the other thing.

    Who set that *Rule,* in stone?

    Why does everyone today, accept it?

    (One of my Pet Peeves. -grin-)

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  3. I suppose that a simply anti-germ mask would not be *looked on well,* by anyone, there.

    But how about getting long, simple scarfs...? Draping them around your head and then, holding them over your nose, mouth area...? With a hair clip.

    I suppose you could make-believe-cough randomly, making it look as if you were PROTECTING every one else, from YOUR GERMS.

    Is that devious enough, for "Auntie"? -chuckle-

    Me-thinks you've really GOT to do something! ALL of you, in that office do. Or resign yourselves to a very sick, sick, sick winter. :-(((((((((((((((((

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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  4. I feel exactly the same way...

    If I did not have to work, I would never want to leave my sanctuary, except maybe for little trips to the beach and the woods which I seldom have time for these days.

    Ah well, soon enough Mary, it will come.
    freedom from work.

    I for one, am looking forward to it. I just scraped through the new laws that make it mandatory to work until your 67 now.

    phew, I can tell you that was a relief.
    I am so looking forward to retirement.

    hugs and love Sharon

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  5. I think our Ancestors would be appalled at how much we rush to and fro now. There is something to be said for 'down' time, leisure time, as much as it is to be up and doing things. I haven't had to move at break-neck speed in a good long while and don't think I could if I wanted to, lol.

    I'd wear a mask in the elevators Mary, like Auntie Sezzzz commented on. You do have to protect yourself love.

    It has been nice and cool here, and receiving some rain. Hopefully it will reach you soon!
    It actually feels like Autumn here and has for the last week. I can tell the differences in the mornings and evenings when I sit outside.
    It won't be long now. Hang in there Sister!!!
    This week is supposed to be more of the same so relief is in sight.
    Happy Monday Mary and Brightest of Blessings,
    Akasa xoxoxo

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  6. I know it's hard to work with people who don't follow basic hygiene as I also faced that when I was a counselor. What I would do is put a few drops of my fave. perfume in a cotton ball and stick it in my bra where my cleavage was. Whenever my body temp. increased I smelled the perfume and this seemed to help. Fall is meant for those of us who are ready to slow down as the days get shorter and I look forward to them.

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