The sidewalk last week.
I got out of the office for about 30 minutes today at lunch. We’ve been so busy, but it was jean day and I was already wearing running shoes…so no excuses not to get my walk in. Most of the week I’ve been trapped in my cubicle.
As I walked (with camera of course) I noticed how much the color has faded since my walk earlier this week,and certainly since last week’s walks.
Trees reaching for the last bit of warmth.
Still, it was pretty.
I was thinking about how stressed I am at work, and how busy I am there and outside of work. I’m headed to Washington next week for a couple of days to do a little truck safety stuff. And I’ve registered Katie for a Rally trial near the end of the month, a couple of days before the community band’s first concert.
Small groves of trees watch me walk by.
Someone at work, learning I’d be out of the office for a couple of days next week, wanted to know how I did it…he said every time he talked to me I was off doing something else. And a couple weeks ago Bruce’s uncle asked me if I was doing too much. Something to think about I guess, and it’s not like I haven’t considered letting some stuff go before.
Walking and thinking.
But still. All these extras are the joyful aspects of life. Who could give up that moment during a concert when it all comes together and something beautiful emerges? So few people get to experience that.
And when Katie sits at attention next to my left ankle waiting expectantly, and moves seamlessly with me as I call “HEEL!”and pivot to the right, all the while grinning at me…well…who wants to give that up?
Trees and clouds shot with the ‘dramatic’ setting.
And the opportunity to go to DC and make a tiny bit of difference, to know your efforts and those of your family and friends have saved lives. Well. It’s not possible to give that up. At all.
Looking for answers.
In the end I finished my short walk with no solution. It’s not the extras I want to walk away from. It’s the work that consumes me for so many hours each day. But I know I have to wait my turn for retirement. Mom used to tell me that when I complained about work.
Ok. I’ll wait. But I’m making a list of stuff I want to do once I have my freedom. And it’s getting pretty darn long.
Walking toward the future.
Change Is Hard 
October 13, 2012 at 6:30 am
Life goes on and we live in each and every moment! Music, Katie and friends are elements of life. You are doing very well, Dawn.
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October 13, 2012 at 6:52 am
Oh yes, I long for retirement too, and weekends and weeks off! But a custodian gave me some advice this week, when I said I couldn’t wait for the weekend. He said, “Dont’ wish your life away waiting for the weekend. It’ll get here.”
You have a rich, full life, and are lucky to have numerous interests and passions! Although, I don’t know where you get the energy.
Happy weekend 🙂
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October 13, 2012 at 10:26 am
Go, do, have fun. Consider your options. Fill your life with as many wonderful things as you can. Going for it now, in my opinion, is always better than waiting for the future. Glad you’re kicking that bucket list right now.
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October 13, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Contemplation makes me nervous. 🙂 You have to keep doing those things that bring you joy or are meaningful. Otherwise what’s the point?
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October 13, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Work is just a spacer between those things in life that give you satisfaction – like your noontime walk with all that beauty around you – so generously shared by you!
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October 13, 2012 at 2:58 pm
I think “balance” is the key, Dawn. Work gives you money to afford the extras — it costs money to travel, keep your instrument in shape, etc., while the extras help make your life full. I don’t think it would be too interesting to do without either one!
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October 13, 2012 at 8:44 pm
If you enjoy it then it doesn’t count as trying to do to much. It is the things you don’t like doing that count.
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October 13, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Oh, darn, my earlier pithy reply got lost. Hmmm, what did I want to say? Well, first, that “dramatic” photo really is–wow! Then, my mother always said to her daughters, “Don’t wish your life away!” In recent years I am better at not wanting to leap over time, if only because I can’t think very far ahead any more: it’s all I can do to focus on the day at hand. Bon weekend, Dawn!
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October 14, 2012 at 8:30 am
I think that is just how life is sometimes. Overwhelming. We want to do it all. Work, we have to do and the other things we want to do. You will feel better soon. Im sure the DC trip weighs on you, so emotional. Take care.
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October 14, 2012 at 4:40 pm
That dramatic photo is, well, wonderfully dramatic! It’s strange, Dawn, I have two part-time jobs (with lots of time in between) and often find myself caught in time-management scenarios, too. I remember working in a full-time job and have trouble now imagining how folks do it–AND keep up an active life outside of it. I’ve always admired you for seeming to be able to do it. I think it’s always a balance–and one that’s always shifting between more and less. Perhaps there is just a small shift toward “less” that’s being urged now? Or not…
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October 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm
You just never know…less is sometimes more! 🙂
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October 15, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Nice photos. Particularly like the ground-level one of the leaves at the beginning.
I’m with everyone else–wish I had enough resources to retire now and go do all the other things that I’m not doing…and I’m already doing quite a bit.
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October 15, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Keeping to yourself and giving yourself away. I struggle with these things even after leaving my time-eating job, which I still miss (just not enough to go back). I work from home and rarely get stuck with too much work, but I still feel the pull. Enjoy those things that you love, and good luck not letting the rest drag you down too much.
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