A few months back I told myself I wouldn’t give up on Daily Plate of Crazy. Well, not entirely. I also told myself I could manage a single post a month, if for no other reason than to maintain a thread of contact with some of the wonderful people I’ve encountered here over the years. So, here I am, cobbling together a few words for January, just under the wire. And no, that isn’t me in the image. But you knew that right?
Now, the pandemic has certainly imposed its share of indignities, to say the least. And I’m not one to downplay the devastation that COVID has unleashed on countless individuals and families for a host of reasons. But in an attempt to stay as upbeat as possible in the new year, I’m focused on subjects with little to no emotional “toll.” For now, anyway. Subjects like hair styles, classic films, which jeans fit this week…
As for my flowing locks, I confess to having found it impossible to live with gray having allowed my “few strands of silver” (ahem) to reveal themselves in the second quarter of 2020. (My melancholic mood was significantly worsened by being unable to deny my age.) I therefore found a means of magically transforming those rebellious strands as needed without spending two hours in a neighborhood salon. The result — helpful denial! And I was (and am) able to enthusiastically, ebulliently, insistently, irrevocably remain a brunette.
(This is a thrilling update thus far, n’est-ce pas?)
What else have I been up to lo these many months?
Gaining weight, like so many of us.
Losing weight, thank goodness.
Regaining some of the weight. Sheesh.
Losing what I regained. Again.
A critical part of this process (and the ability to fit my size 10 jeans)… hall-walking.
Yup. Still doing that. As tedious as it may sound, it helps. Everything. Exercise, however we manage it, is an essential to physical and emotional health, don’t you think?
Other scintillating pastimes?
Let’s see… Growing my hair to a ridiculous length (very 1972). Happily, I have just hacked off many inches to land at a less ridiculous length.
I’ve also been getting out a bit more once vaccinated, vaccinated, and boostered. But my venturing has been rather limited — physical therapy (yes, the wretched back) and grocery shopping, with the occasional (very pleasurable) strolling of a few retail establishments. And I am always always always masked in public places (including PT).
And?
I’ve been learning new things! (Learning is energizing.)
I saw my kiddos (finally!) this past Christmas. (It was glorious. Oh, the joy of Real Life Hugs. Besides, they both cook, and exceptionally well.)
I’ve tried a few online meetups in areas of interest. (I don’t want to lose my social skills forever. And I might as well show off my non-silver hair, right?)
I’ve watched so much TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and Netflix that I know the dialog to some of my favorite films by heart. (“Indiscreet” with Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant — delicious! And French films and TV series galore — merveilleux.)
One stress-relieving activity I haven’t indulged in this past year (and maybe I should?) is Rhyming Therapy. OMG, did I really write this 10 years ago???
And of course, on those occasions when the first of a new month falls on a Monday, I’m always Little Miss Get Sh*t Done (as some of you know, and yes, I’m trying to keep my expletive-laced lingo to a minimum in the new year).
Now, today is Monday, but not the first of the month. Rather, it is the last day of the month, but I’m pondering tomorrow’s bright, shiny first of February, motivating me to Get Sh*t Done today in anticipation of tomorrow feeling closer to springtime and, who knows, perhaps one day once again feeling more comfortable out in the “real world.”
So what have you been up to?
How are you functioning in the world these days?
What new routines help keep you going?
Have your coping strategies of the past year or so evolved to accommodate “pandemic is the new normal” — if indeed you believe it is?
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So happy to see your post in my inbox, DA. Also happy that you’re doing well. Especially the physio. Way too early to start thinking spring for us up here in the great white north. Maybe in a month… or two. Ha. xo
Ha indeed, Sue! (Too early here as well, but a girl can dream…)
I hope your 2022 is off to a great start!
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Hello dear D. A., and hasn’t it been a while?! I had wondered how you were faring and if you’d worn out your hallway yet 🙂 That’s very good news that you had an excellent Xmas with the, ahem, kidlets. It’s very handy when they can cook, and well.
I cannot proffer up any tips about life these days. It just kinda keeps rolling along. No routines have gripped me, new or otherwise. Reading, yes; telly, yes; dancing, huh?; walking, what?; growing hair to crazy lengths, me too!; feeling 2 years older, greyer, wrinklier, yup. But … just 5mins ago confirmed our seats for a Season of Live Baroque Musical Joyousness from March, so that’s definitely looking up. Now, time to buy an appointment diary for 2022 I think … hahahah
You got a good chuckle out of me! Your list of activities had me nodding besides. And let’s hear it for musical joyousness anyway we can get it!
Lovely to hear from you and hoping your 2022 is filled with all good things.
In a globe gone mad, it’s nice to see some indications of it returning to its axis – We have DPoC again!
The biggest coping strategy has been to realize we are the most risk averse of our social circle. We were asked out just as Omicron was beginning, and when we declined, asked when we would find it safe to be “normal”. Umm… When the numbers go, and stay, down? This was from a couple with more health exposure than ours, and one not making a statement. Maybe it’s less about judgement than simple awareness?
The restrictions of the pandemic have coincided with some personal retreats from the bigger social world. A big item on my bucket list was to become proficient on another type of musical instrument. I had already begun, but the pandemic erased the competing attractions and reminded me how much I wanted to do this.
All the same, I really miss the “old days”. When your metropolitan area of millions was “your oyster”. When going more than a couple of miles away didn’t feel like a big adventure, it was just normal day to day. When going out to eat wasn’t a daring consideration. I’ve become less social, but I’d still like to rub elbows with those on my island.
I’ve compensated by trying to be a better virtual friend to my circle, some of whom have been much less fortunate in avoiding the hazards.
What you say about being risk averse is very interesting, Robert. I have had one or two acquaintances somewhat dismiss the care with which I judge any outing and assure myself that I am well armed with properly fitting masks and always keeping my distance. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention. And of course even taking precautions, we are all at risk, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t take those precautions nevertheless!
Musical instrument, huh? Tuba? Cello? Zither?
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The Hurdy Gurdy
No, kidding!
Guitar and keyboards – a big step when your background is in percussion.
Today is my Birthday Feb. 1 and really appreciated your update D.A.!!!
Can really relate to signs of aging and debating what actions to take or not take regarding that!
Best gift I received was a Zoom chat last night with my 3 kiddos- daughter in Austin TX,
daughter here in Columbus, OH and my youngest- son in Japan who is halfway through his grad school scholarship there. Haven’t been able to see all 3 together in over 15 months!
So our new routine is going to be a once a month Zoom call together!
Thank you for this post, D.A. Reading what you have to say feels more like actually encountering you than reading what most others have to say, and that feels good.
I am doing the same thing I have been doing for the last 18 months: working to close my late husband’s law practice. Since cancer and his law partner’s retirement had forced my husband to become a solo practitioner, closing his practice is my responsibility as his Personal Representative. And doing that during the pandemic has proved, and continues, to be a bearcat, even though my husband left the practice in amazing order. Unfortunately, working on this task takes all but about two of my waking hours every day.
One thing I try to do during the other two waking hours is get some outdoor exercise. Usually, that means vigorous landscaping work (lifting, bending, stretching, climbing, hauling, balancing, and so on) in our hilly property. That time and exertion outside, along with the companionship of Bob, our 16-year-old long-haired Dachshund, and focusing on gratitude for all I have had and have (including 2 relatively-content adult kids and two grandchildren), have sustained me from during this very challenging time.
HELLO!
I HAD SAVED YOUR POST TO READ LATER……….. AND HERE IAM MY APOLOGIES for being a bit TARDY! LIFE GETS IN MY WAY AND I CAN ONLY SIT AT COMPUTER FOR SHORT TIMES NOW……..
SO YOU SAY WHAT AM I UP TOO?
NOT MUCH!TOOK THREE MONTHS OFF BLOGGING………… seem to be doing better HEALTH wise but NOT THERE YET!I do have HOPE but its taking so DAM LONG!I started the ANTI SEIZURE medications Sept.27th……. where are we NOW?Feb.9th HOLY COW ALMOST SIX MONTHS! I am pretty much DOWN IN THE DUMPS but NO ONE REALLY KNOWS THAT BUT YOU NOW!
I GET OUT ONLY TO GO TO SELF CARE APPOINTMENTS AND THE GROCERY STORE.THATS IT!
CANT REALLY DRESS FOR SELF CARE APPOINTMENTS…… AS MOST OF THE CLOTHES COME OFF!
I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU AND WONDERED MULTIPLE TIMES WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!
GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT THE PT……. AND THE SONS!!!!!
BIG HUG
XXX
It seems I’m late to chime in, but so glad to hear from you and that you’re keeping in contact here a bit. Kudos to the positive vibes!
I’m glad you were able to be with your sons and that your hair is in a tolerable state. I’ve gained…and kept gaining body mass, so now trying to whittle away. Walking is a lifesaver for me, especially when I can actually get outdoors.
Happy February!
DA good to see your post and that you had a “real” Christmas with your boys. Nice to see everyone else’s posts as well.
I have been working which has been difficult in that everything seems to take 20% more time with 2-3 hiccups. I must say I have thought of retirement more but question the ability and quality I once thought.
Too much television and internet! I have been working on languages and need to focus more on physical health which has not been a priority. That said the record amount of snow means I get a fair amount shovelling a long driveway and lots of walkway. I have a snowblower which I tend to use post large snowfall or wet “heart attack” snow.
Personally and professionally people have lost their minds. I have less tolerance and no empathy for the out of control crazy and much more tolerance and empathy for those affected and unable to react.
The best part is that I find myself a grandfather and my hairy dog (aka the Dyson Killer) keep things grounded and fun.
The last 6 months have been much harder that the previous 18, but I keep moving and remind my self this too will pass. Some people I know have passed, are injured and been financially ruined. I have not and I am grateful.
I have moved home some years ago and thus find myself the “go to guy” for my parents, aunt, uncle and lesser extent disabled brother in law. That takes a fair amount of time. I do not mind other than people that are not doing much expect you to not be doing much and jump at the hop! Not so much.
Finally the pandemic has been useful in that I do not have to see people I do not want to see or can do so without effort by video. I hope we can keep that part!
Ha! Reading organized words from my blogging friend D.A. feels almost like life is leaning in to the idea of something “normal” (familiar at least)! I just rolled over another birthday a few days ago and wondered about you. So I looked up your blog… and there you were. A great birthday present to read you writing again. Yes, it’s been rough, more than rough really. Nothing that I could have ever imagined. But I do still think of you and your readers from time to time.
Let’s talk hair. Yours is a lovely long hippie brunette (gray gone gone). Looks luxurious to me. Mine is longer scraggly to the bottom of my back, but no one would know but Yorkie. Most of the time I wear it up in some way, which ever way my mood takes it. Completely natural dark dirty blonde in color including gray wherever. I’m grateful to have hair because pre-pandemic I asked a doctor why my hair was falling out by the handfuls daily. Doc said “anxiety, extreme anxiety” which was during the time I had my townhome for sale and transitioning to I didn’t know where or how. So glad my hair status is all good, growing, and highlighted with gray!
Look forward to hearing from you and will check in to possible upcoming posts.
Just seeing this post. Perhaps once a quarter vs once a month? I too decided I couldn’t live with the “grays.” Kept a strand in front, but that is gone now, too. Back to brunette! Seeing my son now more since vaccinations and what a relief that has been. Mostly, just wanting some normalcy (whatever that is), some goodness, and more want-to’s and fewer have-to’s. Hoping to finally go to Europe for the first time if the pandemic (fingers-crossed) permits. Oh, and yes, trying to shed those extra covid pounds.
Hope to get an update from you soon and yes, any topic goes! I finally bought foundation makeup after 2 plus years — but do we need it anymore?
Funny… I also just bought foundation about two weeks ago. Ordered it through the mail. A sign of still hanging onto a little bit of hope of, as you said, “normalcy“ eventually? I don’t know. And I will try to do better than once a quarter. Nice to hear from you, Judi, and hoping all is well.