People create their own happiness . . . . or not as they so choose. I firmly believe that, in most cases, if you’re not enjoying life, it’s because a) your expectations are too high, or b) you’re not looking for it in right places.
We – Her Ladyship and I, are not in a position to travel to exotic locations, and it’s not just the restrictions of the pandemic. No, we’re not heading south for the winter. And because of the pandemic’s threats to health and safety, I’m not getting out to do my daily chores and errand runs much either. Visiting with friends happen remotely, as do family gatherings. The holidays will be very different this year. But with all of that, we’ll survive quite nicely. We’ll celebrate where and with whom we can. “Zoom” no longer means just moving quickly.
My gardening has shut down with the first snow of the season. But that’s fine too. It was a fun year, and I enjoyed adding to the color and variety of my containers and garden beds. I enjoyed reading magazines that are giving me fresh, new ideas for the spring. A dear friend recently sent me a new one, and it’s full of new planting thoughts. I’ve started a small collection of hummingbird feeders to supplement the flowers that draw them to our back yard. From inside, I will watch the birds and tiny beasts gather seeds, nuts, and leftover berries. They’re making good use of what I don’t bother to clean up. I listen for the geese flying over in large v shapes as they head south. We’ll begin to light a fire in the fireplace and enjoy the warmth it projects. We’ll watch our favorite television programs and are revisiting old movie friends on demand. We’ll catch up on reading – lots of things we didn’t get to while Herself was recuperating over the summer. Yes, indeed. There is great happiness in the change of seasons.
While aging presents some physical challenges, it’s important not to make them insurmountable or dwell on what we can’t do. We can gather joy in the simple things – our morning routines as we get up, putting on the coffee and reading the newspaper, getting breakfast, and awaiting whichever healthcare person is coming in. We take care of each other, and there is great love and enjoyment in that. Weekends are particularly relaxing because we have no visitors or schedules. I watch folks on House Hunters looking for places to “kick back and relax” because of their stressful jobs, family obligations, or lifestyles. We seniors too need to find moments just to enjoy, and there are many of them. I’m enjoying writing this blog. Herself is watching “Price Is Right” in the other room. These are moments of happiness for us both. In fact, there’s just as much enjoyment here for us as there would be taking a river cruise on the Danube or flying off for Aruba.
There can be happiness in completing tasks – doing the laundry, changing the beds, grocery shopping. Like many around the world, we do a lot of our shopping now online. Herself has begun the official Christmas shopping season, showing me her latest “finds”. But that’s great. It gives me an opportunity to watch for trucks and check the front porch in anticipation. We’re having to remember what we ordered. Really? Did I order that? Yes, I guess I did – let me check my order history. What was I thinking? I don’t know, but here it is. I’ll find a use for it at some point, though usually when I’ve put it away in a “safe place where I’ll remember.” Translation – it’s gone forever or until the next major cleanout. Every room now has reed diffusers. At least we smell nice. Amazon has long replaced Publishers Clearing House as my online shopping destination, mostly because they sell anything and everything. And I do mean EVERYTHING. I think PCH may suspect something’s up, because they’ve stopped sending me daily email enticements. Herself has shifted to online Christmas shopping long ago, so that process is well under way. That gives her great pleasure as she shows me what she’s ordered for The Daughter. Our neighbors must be shopping similarly too, I’m guessing, because the package boxes in our mail house are full to overflowing every day.
Speaking of the Daughter, she’s home with us for a spell. She didn’t want to be by herself in Boston during the election, and we’re delighted to have her. All of her graduate classes and conferences are online, so she’s not missing anything. She has introduced us to online grocery ordering and delivery. Very convenient – just add 20% for delivery and tips. Up Until now, that’s been my weekly outing. That and the occasional trip to the hardware store. Funny story: I had to replace the door lock on the side door to the garage, so I popped across the street to our local hardware outlet. The one I bought wouldn’t go together, so I took it back. The lady I spoke to agreed that it was a cheap one, and perhaps I should go with a more expensive model. Good idea, so I traded up. Came home, installed the better one, which by the way went together beautifully, only to find that there were no keys with it. Back I go – trip #3, to swap it for one with keys. So much “sheltering in place”. I think I was made for one-way shopping aisles. I go up and down each one, trying to remember what I left off the list. Probably not the best way to shop, I know, but it’s my system. The Daughter laughs at me because I tend to stockpile. We now have three or four jugs of laundry detergent, which may seem excessive to some, but I pick one or two when it’s on sale, and am happy knowing that I’m prepared. I’m a sucker for the end-of-aisle displays too. Unlike others, though, I don’t really build extensive collections of toilet paper, trash bags, or paper towels. I have some extras on hand, but don’t fill the garage with cases of them. Again, unlike some, we use the garage for the car, not for surplus storage. Of course, my basket of reusable grocery bags is sitting lonely and abandoned. I’ll hope to bring them back some time because I’m not a huge fan of those thin plastic ones.
Meanwhile, I’m into a whole new series of British murder mysteries, and am finishing up a wonderful book some friends sent us about Italy at the end of World War II. Really interesting and, as I read slowly, it has kept me going for quite a while. Funny story, at least I think it is. Every day, of course, I check the front porch for deliveries. There was one yesterday, and as was expecting a couple of items, just routinely brought it in and opened it. It was a book that Her Ladyship and I had discussed ordering, but never got around to it. This particular copy was from our daughter for my birthday. She gave me her best withering look and asked it I’d checked to whom it was addressed. My birthday is about three weeks away, so I’ll wrap it up and write myself a loving note (from her). Her Ladyship mocks me because I typically have two or three books going at the same time. Often something like the mysteries, something political or historical, providing a nice variety.
All in all, at the t-shirt says, life is good. How appropriate that we’re entering the time of year that we give thanks for what we are and what we have. We can stay home and enjoy ourselves. We can stay reasonably safe and secure. When the phone rings, it’s either friends and family or telemarketers that we can ignore. We can keep ourselves well fed, clean, and comfortable. And of most importance, we can create for ourselves great chunks of happiness and sense of wellbeing. That may not always be the case, but certainly is now, and we’re taking the opportunity to enjoy it.
Be well and safe, my readers, and enjoy whatever life brings you. I hope it’s to your liking.
I'm Thinking...No! 