“Seize the day.” I decided that would be my rallying cry today after I listened to Ellis Paul’s song.
She comes to my bed like a whisper
Slips in the sheet like a ghost
Says in my ear “Hey mister,
You need to take this girl to the coast.I need to kick my feet up in the ocean
Feel the taste of the salt sea spray
Baby let’s live in the moment
For it feels like life is taking the moment away”Seize the day, Seize the day, Seize the day…
–Ellis Paul
The song goes on from there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a video of him singing it. Sorry.
Frankly, it’s not been a great month. That it’s only January makes it all worse! My grandmother died early this morning. She was 95-ish, and it was expected. Hell, I’m 52; how great is it that I even had a grandparent still alive? One that would swim in Long Island Sound all the way through November into her 70s? Bike and drive into her 80s? Loved her husband to pieces and her cats and dogs as well? I need to be like that.
There are other family issues, other losses. Someone’s lost a job. Two friends have recently lost their dogs. Tynan had a dental emergency last week; suddenly nine (yes, nine!) teeth
had to go. Not sure why as he’d had a cleaning less than two years back. But at least he’s still among us, back to his old self, albeit without so much chewing.
Then there’s just the general tenor of the whole country lately, and this week specifically. We’re so divided in our…dissatisfaction. What about a collective attitude adjustment where we focus on the positive for a change? Maybe do something with it.
So, I’m seizing the day, my day. It’ll be a quiet one, and that’s okay. There’s writing this blog post, applying to this years Railyards Market, cleaning out some clutter and getting some laundry done. And I’ll continue hooking my rug, one of two that needs to be pretty much done come March 1. (That’s the cut-off date for entries in this year’s ALBUQUERQUE FIBER FIESTA if you’re interested in sharing some of your work.)
Seizing the day for me doesn’t have to be a big, bombastic event. All it means is that I’ll do what I set out to do, that I won’t bitch about other “stuff,” you know that crap you pretty much can’t do anything about anyway. It means that Tom and I will take Tynan for a little walk later during which we’ll notice the blue sky (oddly enough, it’s been raining the past few days here) and the birds overhead. We’ll revel in the 50-degree temperature, look at the snow on the nearby Sandia Mountains, and remind ourselves of how smart we were to move to New Mexico.
Are you seizing the day
or will you let all the negativity get you down?
Carpe diem all the way, Laura! Sorry for all the pain . . .
Thanks, Susan! Making lemonade in winter. 🙂
Sorry about your grandmother who sounds like an upbeat, positive person and lived positively. I wish for a job for your family member and good health for Tynan. Sunshine is reason enough to seize the day. And with your husband and dog with you on a walk in the air is sounds devine.
As for this country and the world, we can make an effort to be kind.We are small cogs in a huge wheel yet we can seize small efforts like signing petitions, etc. Refuse to be down. Trying to release the anger. 2017 is up!!!!!!
Love the rugs you are working on and hope you get them entered.
Thanks, Syl. Kindness is so underrated, unfortunately. After much gnashing of teeth trying to upload photos, I did manage to get my application in. 🙂
Carpe diem, indeed, Laura!
Sorry to hear about your wonderful grandmother and yes you were lucky to have her for so long! Both of mine died when I was in my 20’s…
We are off to Peter’s retirement dinner with neighborhood friends in Greenville. We are spending the night downtown; just for fun! There is a Wyeth family show and a Norman Rockwell one to see as well. It’s going to be 70 today, so a lovely downtown day. (I keep worrying about the peaches; they need a number of cold days and it’s been a warm winter…)
And as for Friday, I don’t know what to say to make you feel better. There have been many, many election days that have made me feel depressed. Have a margarita, soak in the hot tub and enjoy your lovely new life. None of us, really, can control the big picture after all.
Thanks for your kind words, Deb. Wish I could get back for the funeral to see family and friends, but didn’t work out.
Dinners and overnights. Hope you had a great time. Our anniversary is Monday, but we’ll celebrate it after I get back from the hook-in in Tucson next weekend.
Hey, the country needs the Donald to do well. I certainly wish him well. If only he didn’t make me cringe so often. 🙂
Laura, my friend, I’m so very sorry about your grandmother.
You’re right, it is a very difficult time in general. I’m combating my doldrums by becoming more vocal, harking back to my hippie days (alas, before your time 🙂 ) of making my voice heard, actively standing up for what I believe. A comment in the “Black-ish” election results episode really struck me: “I’m used to things not going my way; I’m sorry you’re not and that it’s blowing your mind.” Me in a nutshell. When did I become so complacent, so passive? When did I stop really actively advocating for what’s most important to me? Syl is right 2017 is up!
I hope you’re still able to take the jaunt to Tucson next weekend- we need some lighthearted girl-time!
You’re so right, Mary. We need a happy, happy girls’ trip. Can’t wait for next week. And thanks to all the guild for the hugs yesterday. 🙂
You have been on my mind this week…..was wondering how things were going. So sorry for your loss, but glad that Tynan is back up to speed. Love the seize the day mantra…may borrow it!
🙂 Pats better seize Sunday. See you for the game!