Homebodies - I really don’t want to be younger
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- Published on Sunday, November 29, 2015
By Rita Friesen
The Neepawa Banner
I really don’t want to be younger, I just want the energy of a younger person!
It was the kind of day that called for stamina and enthusiasm. A poor night’s sleep didn’t help. Every hour, on the hour, I opened my weary, bleary eyes and noted the digital clock’s progress to morning.
It was one of the nights that I slept (figuratively!) in the nurses’ residence. The rooms are clean and quiet, almost Spartan, and quite comfortable. I have slept there several times this fall, but never this poorly. The day of classes was interesting and energizing. I had no trouble staying awake and contributed to discussions. Even the drive home was okay. No sleet, no snow, dry highway conditions, light traffic. All good.
It was when I got home that my energy flagged. Seriously. And I had projects that needed to be completed. This day. A pick up supper of mac and cheese and pork and beans – I know – not a nutritious or well balanced meal, except that it was followed by a modest dish of ice cream. I don’t eat like that often, just often enough.
The agenda called for a tidying of the kitchen, and that grew like Topsey. Removed some items from a shelf, only to realize the shelf needed washing. Started sorting doubles and near empties. Moved up a shelf and down a shelf, realized that if I was going to get the floor mopped, it was time to shift tasks.
Dogs, wet snow and light coloured floors are not a good combination. My mutts come inside looking like they are wearing snow pants and the wet clumps litter the floor. Puddles accompanied by wet dog smell. Wait till it gets really cold and then that’s not a problem, just this wet sticky snow balls up. Swabbed the decks, washed the boot racks and took the dogs out for one last time. Almost a time for a repeat, but the floor can wait. At least another day!
Truly, I do not wish to be younger. But, there is always a but, I remember when a day’s work could include several loads of laundry, a batch of buns and trio of pies baking while the bun dough rose. Accompanying these minor achievements were a batch of school lunches, a planned ‘good for the family’ supper, and if necessary, a meal in the field.
If the season was summer, the day’s work could also include gardening and outside work. Just recalling that tires me out. No, I don’t want to be young, or younger. I don’t want to work that steadily again. Walking the dogs, maintaining the home, time with friends and a little honest work will suffice. Add a little reading, a little studying and a little writing. Quite enough, I keep telling myself!
