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Mad hippie challenges
In a year full of challenges, I’ve decided to do those fun and wonderful things I keep putting on hold because I’m not exactly ready. From now on, I’m going to make time for stuff. To start, this fall, after years of saying we were going to do it, LOML and I went to Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village. Yeah, not an earth shattering experience, but I always had a reason to put the trip on hold for a better time. So, what better time than this year? It was a great trip. Maybe it was raining. Maybe the wind was blowing. Maybe the paths were ankle deep in mud and water. Maybe it was a three-hour drive to Morrisburg. Maybe we had a great time. No maybes about it. The first thing we said at the end of the tour was, “That was so much fun! Why the H E double broomsticks did we wait so long?” Who knows? Maybe we were waiting for the perfect moment. Let me clarify, “maybe I was looking for the perfect moment.” I take the blame for the holding pattern.
Indeed. Why do we wait so long to do the things we want to do? Why do we wait to enjoy all of the good things life has to offer? Why do we have to make room on our schedule for a walk around the neighbourhood or a chat with a friend over a coffee? Of course, I can only answer for myself, but I’ve been know to put off doing fun stuff because I am waiting for that moment when all of the laundry is done, folded and put away. Or, for the very next moment after the dishes are cleared and cleaned. Or when the house looks like a model home and someone could drop by unannounced and think my place always looks good enough to be in a magazine. Or when the books are balanced, the bills are paid and we still have money left at the end of the month. I do that. I am one of those people who cannot have a good time until everything is in order. Where did my spontaneity go? I think I was spontaneous once upon a time. And then? Well, and then I wasn’t. I suddenly wanted my undies, socks and gym clothing drawers to look as if a special episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo had been recorded in my bedroom. Couldn’t have an untidy mess in the compression tights bin, just in case someone dropped by and thought less of me. I started spending an inordinate amount of time getting ready for the right moment. And then?
Well, and like I said earlier, my life got a bit challenging and I decided, “Who really gives a good gosh darn if the throw cushions on the couch look as if they’ve been thrown, not fluffed and gently and perfectly placed?” And what if the scatter carpets look, let’s say, like they’ve been scattered? When I decided to get back to painting, I promised myself I didn’t have to produce a Colville or a Bonheur (as if I could) every time I put a brush to canvas. In the interest of being less structured, I have ditched the brushes in favour of a palette knife. I given myself permission to create a pieces of art which definitely please someone else, and I don’t have to explain my colour choices or methods or inspirations to anyone.
Who knows, LOML and I might get to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this year. We might have more morning coffees in the hot tub. I may pack a lunch, some wine and a couple of blankets and enjoy a chilly picnic at Prince Edward Point with LOML. More time shall be spent enjoying my life and less time worrying about what others think of my life, that’s my new challenge.
Now, I need to think about a Hallowe’en costume. Long-haired hippy weirdo comes to mind!
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