It’s like you’re spying on me and looking deep into the recesses of my mind. Goddamit, I did three days of kale and green tea and then Stuff Happened and its been coffee and an entire bar of chocolate every day since.
Peers always ask how I interact with my patients and families so effortlessly, how I can walk into a room of strangers that I have never met and within minutes be telling stories and joking around, all while standing around their loved one on deaths door. I tell them it’s all about finding the human connection. Those same people always tease me, asking what my new obsession is for the week / month. Not once do they see the connection.
By the way, my latest…I went to the store for rye bread, only to be throughly dissatisfied at my choices. I have baked bread almost every day since and am close to my perfect loaf. And I bought two used books on cooking eggs more ways than I can count. And after reading this, I need to go dust off my typewriter.
You are absolutely right! It takes a certain lightness of the soul to obsess about letter writing and bread making, to be able to dance around with a stranger that is dying and feel a human connection, an understanding that the flesh might decay, but the soul will stay intact around the books you love and the eggs you cooked and the things that make you smile. I guess that is why true beauty is the greatest antidote to the dead of winter, and to any dead, really.
I agree Bob, going out shopping in t-shirt or a flimsy coat when it’s freezing makes it all the more unpleasant, but we have to agree that all the Patagonia coats and merino wool socks do not make “lovely” the perpetual grey skies and the depressing 1° rain. Taking the children out in this weather even in the best clothes doesn’t really make me delight in it, just cope, which is good enough, I guess.
That line about no bad clothes, only bad weather. I grew up with that being said just about every PE lesson during fall, winter and spring in Finland! Raining? We're going for a 5 km walk today. Snowing? You can ski while it snows, it doesn't hurt. Minus 10 Celsius? Wear a scarf and extra mittens, and keep moving! Ah -- life in the north!
Love your musings! And I hope you don't mind I borrow your awesome STSC blurb for this month's Symposium.
It’s like you’re spying on me and looking deep into the recesses of my mind. Goddamit, I did three days of kale and green tea and then Stuff Happened and its been coffee and an entire bar of chocolate every day since.
You lost your way three days and now you are back on track 🤣
Peers always ask how I interact with my patients and families so effortlessly, how I can walk into a room of strangers that I have never met and within minutes be telling stories and joking around, all while standing around their loved one on deaths door. I tell them it’s all about finding the human connection. Those same people always tease me, asking what my new obsession is for the week / month. Not once do they see the connection.
By the way, my latest…I went to the store for rye bread, only to be throughly dissatisfied at my choices. I have baked bread almost every day since and am close to my perfect loaf. And I bought two used books on cooking eggs more ways than I can count. And after reading this, I need to go dust off my typewriter.
Great post!!!
You are absolutely right! It takes a certain lightness of the soul to obsess about letter writing and bread making, to be able to dance around with a stranger that is dying and feel a human connection, an understanding that the flesh might decay, but the soul will stay intact around the books you love and the eggs you cooked and the things that make you smile. I guess that is why true beauty is the greatest antidote to the dead of winter, and to any dead, really.
Well said.
How I absolutely adore your letter writing activity!!!!
Trilety, I could totally write you a handwritten letter. Just DM me in the STSC account your address.
I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to agree with the Swedes here. Proper clothing is the ultimate antidote to miserable winter weather.
I agree Bob, going out shopping in t-shirt or a flimsy coat when it’s freezing makes it all the more unpleasant, but we have to agree that all the Patagonia coats and merino wool socks do not make “lovely” the perpetual grey skies and the depressing 1° rain. Taking the children out in this weather even in the best clothes doesn’t really make me delight in it, just cope, which is good enough, I guess.
There is no cure for perpetual grey, absolutely. Sometimes coping is all we can do
That line about no bad clothes, only bad weather. I grew up with that being said just about every PE lesson during fall, winter and spring in Finland! Raining? We're going for a 5 km walk today. Snowing? You can ski while it snows, it doesn't hurt. Minus 10 Celsius? Wear a scarf and extra mittens, and keep moving! Ah -- life in the north!
Love your musings! And I hope you don't mind I borrow your awesome STSC blurb for this month's Symposium.
Thank you Minna! Life among vikings can get wild 😂. Take what you need!