I know when it’s time to take a reset for a few days, when that feeling summed up so well by Private Fraser in Dads Army creeps in - ‘We’re Doomed’ or in my case ‘I’m doomed’. I think if we are honest we all get those days and sometimes they extend a bit further. The old curmudgeon takes over, and life seems that bit more of a pain in the proverbial backside and challenging. However, I will always maintain these days are ok not be ok. We all need space to grumble to ourselves, maybe even have a day when we hole up, don’t smile at people, complain about everything and anything in our journals, scream in our heads, kick something - word of warning as we get older our bones can be more brittle, so gently does it. I won’t make other peoples days not ok, I will put my mask on for those short periods when social interaction cannot be avoided and be my bright cheerful self.
How does the mist/fog clear? If I knew that answer I would make a fortune and even possibly make everyone’s life that bit better. For me it's ones size doesn't fit all or even fit me on certain days. I started this post about three hours ago with my mugs of tea in bed thinking here we go again it's Monday. Yet as a retired old curmudgeon, the days of the week don't mean the same. I am not going down that rabbit 🐇 warren as I already covered it in a previous post, Monday morning blues do they exist? Now having got past the first couple of paragraphs I feel a little less curmudgeonly. I have not snapped at my son, it's his 37th birthday today, how did that happen? My baby is now 37. Don't tell him I said that, I'll give you a years supply of carrots 🥕 if you keep quite head rabbit 🐇.
I cannot put my finger why I feel better than I did when I woke up. I took the dogs out. Mildred first negotiating all the cars parked on the pavement, because parents don't think their children attending the dance class can walk more than 20 yards. The Humphrey when I found a large branch down on the garden, put it out of the way and realised I was glad it hadn‘t hit me or Humphrey. Sat on the bench while Humphrey chased his ball or sort out the dead moles that seem to have appeared in the garden - not always fragrant, heard a red kite, goldcrest and got cold. Then I returned indoors, had my porridge and coffee and carried on with this post. I can say that no single one of those things gave me the kick, maybe it's a combination. I do know getting into the fresh air helps, I always listen for the birds to see/heat what is about. I have discovered a new app for my phone identitying birds by their song, Merlin Bird ID. It is usually spot on but does occasionally throw up an odd one or two, I don't think bald headed eagles are often seen in this part of Hertfordshire. Birding is something I have always enjoyed, it's the peace and quiet and seeing a bird for the first time or watching the kingfisher in the ford at the bottom of the lane, silently waiting for a fish, or it's blue flash as it flies away.
I will write more about this soon, but writing is a wonderful yet challenging activity. One that for me has good and bad parts. I am thinking about trying some agents again, having received the nicest rejection letter after 6 months of waiting, but new thoughts have come into my mind about a revamp, so here we go again. I love the idea of a novel complete freedom of creativity and another thought is mumbling around my head, that my involve my subscribers. We all have wonderful stories to write about so many things. In the age of AI it is something we need to capture, these stories and the emotions behind them.
Prompts
Think about a day when you started with a bears/curmudgeons head and ended feeling really positive and inspired.
Write 10 words to describe your bears/curmudgeon's head?
Write 10 words to describe how you felt at the end of the day?
Can you pinpoint where the change occurred?
I am so grateful to everyone for reading and subscribing, it makes writing feel like a real writer.
All my posts on Growing Old are free to all. Otherwise let’s be honest, who read these eclectic eccentric rambles down the rabbit warren 🐇, fox 🦊 dens, badger 🦡 sets and otter 🦦 holts. If you enjoy my posts please do subscribe and share with others.
Taking pleasure in small things is good. I enjoyed your post, Jo. And why not Indie publish? After having eight books traditionally published I'm thinking I'll try Indie publishing with this WIP. I'm getting too old to wait two years (which is the approximate time it takes from submitting to the editor, then proofreader, then wait for the publisher for the cover to be decided on) And then only getting a fraction of money from the sales!! Writing is one of my biggest pleasures in life, besides walking, but it's lovely to meet a reader who says they enjoyed one of my books. So getting this one out is a prority in 2026. Take care, Judith
I've stopped trying to analyse my feelings Jo and accept how I feel without judgement. I love the saying 'sensation without explanation'. In other words, accept how you feel, don't criticise yourself, be kind to yourself and you'll no doubt start to feel better. My son is 49 in December! It's absolutely bonkers...how did I get to be this old 🤣 have a good week and look after you xx