We All Look The Same

Me laughing as I try, unsuccessfully, to remain upright on the ice (tricky - very tricky). After several attempts, my daughter gave me her arm and, together, we skated joyfully around the arena. Joyful for me because I hadn't been on skates in almost twenty years. I'm determined to give it a go again this year because I do love to skate.

I feel that I laugh at myself much more since I acquired white hair. It's definitely easier not to take oneself seriously at this age. Life in general seems more humorous.

My white hair brought a funny situation recently.

Now that I'm back at work, I needed a better computer than my old laptop. A clever young man at Staples explained the choices for monitor, keyboard, etc. When I asked about the features I should look for, he invariably went to how each worked for gaming, followed by a shy ‘but you’re not looking for that’ sort of comment. 

We managed to settle on what would work for business purposes and I made my way to the checkout with what I could carry. He went back to the warehouse to get the monitor I’d chosen and, as he returned to the counter, he went to another white-haired woman at the other end. I did a “yoo-hoo, over here” sort of thing and tried to cover the embarrassment he clearly felt by saying “It’s okay. We all look the same.”

After he helped me to my car with my purchases, I drove away, grinning all the way back to the office.

A Good Book is the Answer to Life

 "I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a good book."

                                                                                                      Benedict Cumberbatch

I know exactly what he means. My reading journey began as a young child and stayed with me as life evolved through adulthood. My happy places were always libraries and book stores, bringing instant calm to my mind as I crossed the threshold.

Books have given me "oh, me too!" moments. They have challenged my acquired beliefs and understanding. The best stories have catapulted me from the reality around me (and sometimes kept me awake long into the night). My life was happily filled with books.

Until I enrolled in university at an advanced age. Reading for pure pleasure was a necessary sacrifice to create time for the textbooks and research needed for each course. Fascinating stuff but a prescribed reading list doesn't hold the same delight as finding a new novel on the shelf by a favourite author.

Surprisingly, I didn't return to reading for pleasure after graduation. Looking back, I'm not sure how I filled my spare time but there was a definite gap in my reading consumption for a few years.

I thank COVID for bringing it back into my life. The library initiated on-line ordering and pick up (in paper bags, at the door - seems surreal now) and my journey back began. A steady stream of books filled my days which re-ignited my love for a good story. 

I am happy to say the love continues, although, with everything else going on in life right now, it does take me considerably longer to finish a book.

So, as the snow falls, light a fire (or at least some candles) and curl up with that good book waiting for you.