Imagining how your life of ease could be different, and better, is a risky business. It could so easily turn out to be different, and worse. With this in mind, I turn today to those things that are really pretty good in the life I have, and wonder if, in any other place than this, they could possibly be bettered.For example--I hate to harp on, but it just keeps on being superb--sunrise in the park. This is the view from the dog beach into the trees beyond.
And for example, my whippets, Henry and Simone, seen here during a good chase this morning. (You will probably have noticed by now that I am not the world's best photographer, nor do I have any capacity to edit photographs. Better get over it--I'm probably not going to get much better.)
And for example, breakfast, which may well be the very best moment of the day. By the time I get to breakfast, I have usually been up and about for up to two hours, so I am good and hungry, often cold, and more than ready to get my hands around a cup of hot coffee.
And for example, the New York Times including the Metro section, a privilege not accorded to those who obtain the paper outside of the city. It's true. Have you never been say in Massachusetts, picked up a copy of the Times for about $5, and found the best bit missing?
It's dreadfully disappointing.And say I were to go "home" to the North of England for my life of ease, I would have to give up the Times for good and revert to some other newspaper, that would not have Paul Krugman and a daily assessment of how well or badly Obama is doing and that dreadful Maureen Dowd to make me spit. I could get used to the Guardian again, but it would be a wrench. Is it still even worth reading? I have no idea. It's twenty three years since last I lived in England and all kinds of things have changed. My own brother, who ate Weetabix for breakfast for the first 60 years of his life, suddenly turned to oatmeal at the age of sixty-one, so obviously anything can happen. It's scary out there.
To go back to my list of things worth keeping, there is of course my dear daughter, but I have not asked her permission yet to include a picture of her, and so I will not. Aside from her, you may notice that I am having some trouble getting beyond breakfast time in my list of things worth keeping. Hmm. Food for thought there.
Posts
I'm reading too, Joy. You have a lovely style of writing and your introspection prompts that of my own. I've recently embarked upon very drastic changes in my life in the pursuit of true happiness and more importantly true self. I appreciate your sentiments very much. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures. So far they have been beautiful views. We don't have views like that down here in FL. I am enjoying the blog, so keep it up.
As you say, it's important to appreciate what you have and when you do, realize you have a lot. Having made the move into the woods, I know that while I love where I am, I miss the park, I miss the people I meet in the park, and I miss the contrasts that living in the city provides. My world in New York had shrunk to loving the park and feeling at home in my job. Those were not enough, apparently, for me. I discovered that my life here is as circumspect as it was in New York, so much for change.
ReplyDeleteIn my next life, I want to be a whippet.
ReplyDelete