No, not literally. Not even metaphorically. Figuratively, maybe? Essentially, perhaps?
A reader–noticing the lack of a post two weeks ago and slightly concerned about what it might indicate–suggested that I just post a GONE FISHING sign when life intervened, and so I am.
Not, as I say, that I’ve been fishing this week, but GONE ENTERTAINING or GONE BASEBALL WATCHING or GONE RUNNING ERRANDS or even GONE WEEDING (which is about to be supplanted by a DONE WEEDING sign–not because I am, you know, done weeding but because I am so done with weeding) while all true still fail to communicate quite the same message as GONE FISHING and, besides, lack the cultural cachet.
The truth is more that, with every passing year, I find that things take longer than they used to. I’m still playing catch-up for what I can expect to get done at 72–how I need to manage my time. To repurpose another expression, THIS IS ME, AGING.
Talk among yourselves. Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em. And stay well until next week.
Isabel – if “Don’t let the old man in” works for Clint Eastwood,
“Don’t let the old woman in” could work for you. Just thinkin’.
P.S. My solution to things taking longer than they used to was and is to cut out some of the things I used to think were essential, but have discovered that they weren’t that essential after all.
John – 🙂 Yes, I guess that wee edit works for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc5AWImplfEme.
That reminds me of the old “Gone Fishin'” song by Bing Crosby and Lewis Armstrong:
I’ll tell you why I can’t find you
Every time I go out to your place…
You gone fishin’ (well how you know)
Well there’s a sign upon your door (uh-huh)
Gone fishin’ (I’m real gone man)
You ain’t workin’ anymore (could be)
There’s your hoe out in the sun
Where you left a row half done
You claim that hoein’ ain’t no fun (well I can prove it)
You ain’t got no ambition
Gone fishin’ by a shady wady pool (Shangrila, really la)
I’m wishin’ I could be that kind of fool (should I twist your arm?)
I’d say no more work for mine (welcome to the club)
On my door I’d hang a sign
Gone fishin’ instead of just a-wishin’
Papa Bing (yeah Louis)
I stopped by your place a time or two lately
And you aren’t home either
Well, I’m a busy man Louis. I got a lotta deals cookin’
I was probably tied up at the studio
You weren’t tied up you dog
You was just plain old…
Tom
Tom – And another song! Many thanks.
Among the English classes that stand out in my memory was one by Marion Tallman (no relation) in Grade 9 or 10 on the poem “Work” by Henry van Dyke. I memorized it although I don’t believe that was a required task. https://allpoetry.com/poem/8507939-Work-by-Henry-Van-Dyke The lines of enduring force for me are:
“This is my work; my blessing, not my doom;
“Of all who live, I am the one by whom
“This work can best be done in the right way.”
When I need to sort the overwhelming number of calls on my dwindling resources, I try to remember that anyone might do many things but no one but me can do others. And I try to prioritize that way.
Some tasks might seem trivial — such as dropping a note to a friend. Others might seem onerous — such as selling a house in a depressed market. Don’t doubt that you already know how to do that: I am the fortunate recipient of your discernment. So are we all who follow your trail of images and words on the traditional Day of rest and revival. Be ever so blessed.
Laurna – This is why some memory work (especially of poetry and other literature) is invaluable. Of course we can look things up, but how will we know what we’re missing or needing in the moment if we don’t have at least a part of it by heart? As for the rest of your kind note – many thanks.
That post was the longest and most thorough “Gone Fishin'” sign ever!
Barbara – Well–brevity being the soul of wit–I’m not sure that thorough is necessarily a good thing!
I think your Gone Fishing post is about equal to an actual post. So you weren’t fishing afterall.
I remember those days when I was working and I told myself to “slow down!” Now I have.
Judith – “Slow down” is a common refrain among my retired friends-&-relations, although it doesn’t always hit exactly at retirement age. Some come to it after a second career!