well - it's me again, chuck from nj, chiming in on another highly relatable essay on 'what if's.' though i have never experienced the dreaded female curse of hot flashes, i do dread the blistering days of summer's heat waves. i am a most prodigious sweater, and have top constantly carry around a dishtowel or a guest towel whenever leaving the safe A/C zones for even a moment. I get exasperated at the drip of sweat continually running down onto my glasses and not ever having the proper cloth to wipe it away. and, oh, the sting of my own salty body liquid when it finds my eyeballs. i find myself thanking God repeatedly during this time of the year for air conditioning -- i would not want to live if resourceful inventors had t never invented them.
as far as the sleeping issues are concerned i am with you on that front as well. there was a time when i cold go to sleep and be out like a light within 30-40 minutes after I hit the pillow. Not so much these days. The combination of room temp., pillows not fluffed properly, and aches in shoulders or neck when sleeping on my side (either side) cause me to toss and turn for hours. Also, thoughts begin to protrude through my somnolent consciousness, and I go with it, eventually building a little storyline in my mind which requires me to wake up, write them down for future literary fodder for another personal journal (for future publication, maybe?), much like your delightful essays which likely begin as little seeds of an idea, then mushroom into full-fledged pieces of life accounts..
I hope upon hope that you will be around in EA on reunion weekend, since I am making the 6-7 hour trip from jersey to (hopefully) sell a few books at 'The Bookworm" and see a passel of old friends. I would love to meet one of my favorite essayists/watercolorists either at the book signing or at the attitude adjustment party the night before. Please don't leave for Canada or someplace that weekend!
I am excited to be staying at the Roycroft that weekend....never have I lodged at a place that posh. Perhaps you and Rick can join my wife and I for a cocktail or a nice iced tea at the Roycroft?
Aw Chuck, I really get the hot weather stuff. I wish every day that I enjoyed summer more. Thank you so much for your comments. Sadly, Reunion Weekend is not for me. I head for the hills and hide. I'm not a fan of crowds and lots of drinking, so I really don't participate. But I hope you have a successful fun time at BookWorm, and if I am still here during your book signing I will absolutely stop in and say hello :)
What ifs are the little threads that unravel our lives. We can try to make them all go away but they always pull another thread. As I work my way through my 60’s, I am realizing that I can let them tear me apart or I can knit myself back together. We have all lead extraordinary lives, unique to us. What ifs are a part of us whether we like them or not. It’s how we respond to them that lessens their impact. The more I try this, the easier life feels. It’s not perfect and anxiety still rears its ugly head, but I feel less weighed down by those annoying what ifs. 😍💕
Fabulous piece! I was chuckling thru the entire thing bc almost all of your what ifs are mine as well (money, kids, travels, etc). Thank you - I feel seen! Xo
Woah, it takes me back to when my dear late husband was alive. Every time I would say, "What if?", he would say back to me, " what if, what if, what if????? I knew what he meant, but sometimes it's hard to stop the " what if's?" I still go through it, but know that I will always survive, because I always have. I like your "what is" instead. I also like, action not reaction!!!
well - it's me again, chuck from nj, chiming in on another highly relatable essay on 'what if's.' though i have never experienced the dreaded female curse of hot flashes, i do dread the blistering days of summer's heat waves. i am a most prodigious sweater, and have top constantly carry around a dishtowel or a guest towel whenever leaving the safe A/C zones for even a moment. I get exasperated at the drip of sweat continually running down onto my glasses and not ever having the proper cloth to wipe it away. and, oh, the sting of my own salty body liquid when it finds my eyeballs. i find myself thanking God repeatedly during this time of the year for air conditioning -- i would not want to live if resourceful inventors had t never invented them.
as far as the sleeping issues are concerned i am with you on that front as well. there was a time when i cold go to sleep and be out like a light within 30-40 minutes after I hit the pillow. Not so much these days. The combination of room temp., pillows not fluffed properly, and aches in shoulders or neck when sleeping on my side (either side) cause me to toss and turn for hours. Also, thoughts begin to protrude through my somnolent consciousness, and I go with it, eventually building a little storyline in my mind which requires me to wake up, write them down for future literary fodder for another personal journal (for future publication, maybe?), much like your delightful essays which likely begin as little seeds of an idea, then mushroom into full-fledged pieces of life accounts..
I hope upon hope that you will be around in EA on reunion weekend, since I am making the 6-7 hour trip from jersey to (hopefully) sell a few books at 'The Bookworm" and see a passel of old friends. I would love to meet one of my favorite essayists/watercolorists either at the book signing or at the attitude adjustment party the night before. Please don't leave for Canada or someplace that weekend!
I am excited to be staying at the Roycroft that weekend....never have I lodged at a place that posh. Perhaps you and Rick can join my wife and I for a cocktail or a nice iced tea at the Roycroft?
keep writing, and, heavens to Betsy....STAY COOL!
Aw Chuck, I really get the hot weather stuff. I wish every day that I enjoyed summer more. Thank you so much for your comments. Sadly, Reunion Weekend is not for me. I head for the hills and hide. I'm not a fan of crowds and lots of drinking, so I really don't participate. But I hope you have a successful fun time at BookWorm, and if I am still here during your book signing I will absolutely stop in and say hello :)
What ifs are the little threads that unravel our lives. We can try to make them all go away but they always pull another thread. As I work my way through my 60’s, I am realizing that I can let them tear me apart or I can knit myself back together. We have all lead extraordinary lives, unique to us. What ifs are a part of us whether we like them or not. It’s how we respond to them that lessens their impact. The more I try this, the easier life feels. It’s not perfect and anxiety still rears its ugly head, but I feel less weighed down by those annoying what ifs. 😍💕
What a positive, lovely way to see this, Sue. I totally understand this and relate in my own way. I really appreciate your comment. Thank you xoxo
Fabulous piece! I was chuckling thru the entire thing bc almost all of your what ifs are mine as well (money, kids, travels, etc). Thank you - I feel seen! Xo
Hoorayt! Team mates ;) I am so glad it was relatable, Robyne. Let's let those buggers go! xo
Woah, it takes me back to when my dear late husband was alive. Every time I would say, "What if?", he would say back to me, " what if, what if, what if????? I knew what he meant, but sometimes it's hard to stop the " what if's?" I still go through it, but know that I will always survive, because I always have. I like your "what is" instead. I also like, action not reaction!!!
Yes! Action, not reaction. It really helps me to think that way xo ❤️