Thursday, July 2, 2009

I'm a little behind . . .


I hope you know me better by now than to think I was going to go all cutesy on you and have a photo here of a baby's bottom to emphasize the title of this post.....

I am behind in just about everything right now. I'm behind in reading many of your blogs. I'm behind in correspondence. I'm behind in reading the books I have lined up to enjoy. I'm behind in housecleaning. I'm behind in clutter-clearing. I'm behind in yard work (at least there is that kid who mows once a week). I'm behind in my animal to-do list, i.e., the dogs must get to the groomer and one of our veterinarians (we have two in separate cities, further complicating my life) notified me by card yesterday that one dog and one cat are due their annual exams and shots. I'm behind in my wildlife to-do list, i.e., I must resupply the stock of whole peanuts and cracked corn for the blue jays and the hulled sunflower chips for all the other spoiled birds, and these are sold by stores in two separate towns.

Mike and I are behind in deciding our next course to take with his family, with whom we've been basically estranged for four years (except cards at holidays), who have suddenly extended not one, but two, Fourth of July celebration invitations. I am behind in trusting their intentions, something I did in the past and swore to remember the ouch.

I am behind in feeling great, because I'm behind in my yoga practice. Also, for the entire month of June...and continuing into July...I've had an outer (as opposed to middle or inner) ear infection, also known as swimmer's ear -- the cause of mine mysterious because I've not been swimming. This has caused near-deafness in my left ear, relieved only by the Cipro drops I've had to use every eight hours since arriving at the ER with a bleeding ear at the beginning of June. I had a check-up on the condition two days ago. My doctor has reduced the Cipro drops to once a day for a week, after which he will prescribe a different eardrop (he said it may take six weeks for my hearing to be normal). So now, without the relief of the more frequent medication, my hearing is affected all the more...

Which brings me right back to the 4th of July and the worries over exposing my hurt ear, even with earplugs, to a booming fireworks display (one of the suggested meet-ups with Mike's brother) and to the American Idol concert in Portland on July 5th. When I bought the tickets I did so with a surety that Adam Lambert would win, but we thought the entire group this last season was the best AI has had, so the concert is sure to be fun -- and definitely our only AI concert. Last weekend when my ear was aching I called our neighbor and offered the tickets, including the parking pass, to her and her 13-year-old daughter. She was flabbergasted because they're huge fans and not in a current financial position to ever afford the concert. But that happens to be the weekend when she has family flying in from two different states in order for them to drive to the lower central Oregon coast where her mother was raised, to scatter the ashes of said now-deceased mother, who requested that this be done. In other words, we still have the tickets and are planning to use them...and I plan on using earplugs...on Sunday night.

I need to catch up with my life a little bit. So my next post won't be until next Monday or maybe even Tuesday. In the meantime, I'll be happily visiting your blogs and catching up with your lives, too.


To close, here's a bonus Tagore quote. Once again, his words seem perfect to me because everything he wrote is golden . . .


THEY throw their shadows before them
who carry their lantern on their back.
-Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)


This is Number Five in a randomly-posted, continuing series of quotes by Tagore.
Number One
Number Two
Number Three
Number Four





Photo of young bald eagle at Carpenter Nature Center from Twin Cities Daily Photo

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27 comments:

Sage Ravenwood said...

I can totally emphasize, I'm in the midst of the same dilemna. It's gotten to the place I'm sleep deprived and putting the dog food in the refrigerator and giving her my cereal in the morning...yeah bad. Here's to hoping we each find a measure of peace in the middle ground. (Hugs)Indigo

Looking to the Stars said...

I know how you feel, I'm in the same boat :)
Take care of the ear, do you have sinus problems? I have always had problems with my ears, I was born with very small ear canals, my ears produce too much ear wax.
You have a good 4th kiddo, hope the family thing is a good one!

Kim said...

Swimmer's Ear! OUCH! That stinks!

I don't blame you for being behind on trusting people that have hurt you in he past. Maybe that's something best left undone.

Unknown said...

oh, honey, put your feet up, take a breath, and relax. We'll all still be here. Take care of that ear though, sounds bothersome.

Erin Davis said...

Oh, Lydia--
I hope you and your behind catch up soon. :0) I can totally relate to everything you're saying here. I had my share of inlaw angst last month. And I know that ear infections can make you feel like your dog paddling upstream...

Owen said...

Hi Lydia, I'm so relieved to find out I'm not the only one feeling majorly behind in everything...

I think alot of us, especially if we have even a wee bit of an obsessive compulsive relationship with blogging (for example) tend to put pressure on ourselves that maybe we don't really have to...?

I agree with Distracted by Shiny here... so maybe kicking back this weekend and chilling out might be just what the doctor would order if he could see inside our wound up minds...

In any case, take care, read some poems, potter in the garden, go for a bike ride, play some music, and smile...

Unknown said...

LOL!
I know exactly the feeling :)
Any way, I just want to wish you a happy 4th of July!
(I'm taking the Friday off and I am heading out of town with the family :)
I'll talk to you soon!

Hattie said...

I do think people where you are tend to get overloaded this time of year, when you add outdoor activities, yard, etc. to your already busy schedules.
Sorry about that ear, and I hope it isn't too uncomfortable.
Have a happy 4th, whatever you decide to do!

Lydia said...

* * *HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, EVERYONE! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY. * * *

@Indigo- Your comments commiserating with me meant so, especially because they came soon after I posted. Reading your kind words about finding peace in the middle ground just relaxed me right away, and I hope that writing them in some way did the same for you! Thanks so much.

@Looking to the Stars- To realize that you are feeling the same way helped me to unwind a bit more. I don't usually have sinus problems and have never had anything like this with my ear....and 'ears looking at you, kid.

@Kim- Yeah, what the heck's going on with swimmer's ear? Have you had this before? jeez.
Your words of wisdom re: the family thing made a lot of sense to me.

@Distracted- Glad to hear you'll still be here when I can fully hear again! Seriously, I hope you balance fun and relaxation over the 4th yourself.

@Erin- Given your long-term marriage, that you still have in-law angst simply serves as a dose of reality for me!
Dog paddlin' upstream is close enough a description for me to definitely relate to it.

@Owen- If there's a positive twist to this it surely must be that we aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. For all of us in this whirl, then, I think you've given sweet words of advice. I intend to follow most of it!

@Buddha- And you too? And you get to escape? Well, I guess I don't envy you the traffic on the roads this weekend but I sure would love to already be at some relaxing destination with plans to stay for two weeks. I doubt that you'll be away that long, but I do hope you have a great time.

@Hattie- You hit the nail on the head with your comments. When spring comes each year I feel as if there is another whole house to care for. I love our yard but wish it wasn't so big....

bookmanie said...

Hello, Bookman congratulate you for selecting the photo and your text, I hope that there is no misunderstanding, (the symbol of predatory). You need time to time, we must believe that everything is done for you is more time to think. We must overcome and move beyond this formatting. For now, forget the bells clocks, too polite to intrude on our lives, which was designed to be savored, not devoured by those ... Bookmanie.

Don't Feed The Pixies said...

Yes indeed - happy chucking us brits out of the USA day! (joke)

Seriously - 4th July doesn't really get celebrated here, but i hope you have a good one.

You need a little "me" time my friend - don't feel guilty about taking it.

bfk said...

Dear Lydia,
You are not behind. You are way ahead in compiling your Things to Do List. Congratulations.
bk

Postcardy said...

I have a postcard with a baby that is a little behind in her correspondence. I bought it because of the "mail" theme.

Friko said...

Sorry to read you are not feeling so great. Sorry about your ear, make sure that's the first thing you have mended.
never mind about being behind; life has a way of catching up and so often one realizes, after a bit, that having left something undone didn't matter all that much anyway. One lesson a friend taught me is to ask myself "What's the worst that could happen, if you don't do this"...........
Best wishes and see you soon.

Terry said...

Howdy Lydia
First Happy Pff to you and a very happy 4th of July weekend too,
next do be careful with your ears.
Oh and do not neglect your quiet time this will help to order all the feeling of chaos from lagging behind.
Please know I wish you well and a speedy complete recovery.
Blessings of joy to you as you get caught up with things .
Have a very happy 4th :)
Happy Trails
Hugs

Anonymous said...

magnificent bird!
happy PFF
xx

Robin said...

I too have been slacking on my yoga and have the pains to show for it. :-/

Take care and have a most beautiful weekend.
((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Certainly you are not behind cause you know what you have to do. And that's what keep you ahead of millions. Hope you will have the normal hearing pretty soon. Wish you luck in every aspects.
Cheers!

Lydia said...

@bookmanie- I do love "hearing" your accent come through your writing! No, the bald eagle was not meant as a predatory statement in any regard. I posted it for the 4th of July because it's the U.S. national bird, and because it had a bit of a view of the behind, in keeping with the title. And, if I understand you correctly, you tell me to relax and not see blogging as a burden. That is excellent advice! Blogging and visiting other blogs is not an intrusion for me: I really do it and all of you!

@Pixies- Thanks for your sweet comments, and I'm trying out that "me" time, while being very aware of how much I tend to think about what I want to blog about or think about what I've read at someone else's blog. It's good for me to have that awareness, I guess.
Your comments about the 4th and bye-bye Britain reminded me of an old album my parents had when I was a kid. It was a comedy album by a guy named Stan Freberg. I wonder if I still have the album on one of those shelves.....

@bfk- Hey, You! Posting about your opera is toward the top of my to-do list. Thanks for making sense of what I was seeing as a predicament.

@Postcardy- Do you really have that one? -- this week? I will definitely come by to see it, or whatever great PFF card you had for Friday.

@Friko- I really like that quote from your friend...makes a lot of sense and it's soothing advice. Thanks for that and for your own soothing words. I'll be by this weekend to read about the garden, as I know congratulations are in order.

@Terry- I have a feeling you must celebrate the 4th in grand style!
Yes, I am taking care of the ear and I think it's better today actually. Tonight we could hear the grand finale of the big fireworks display one mile from our house. It was SO loud even inside that I know we made the right decision not to go this year. Besides, it scared the animals so much and I'm glad I was here to console them.

@Mirina- It is a great bird. The bald eagle is our national bird, and I wonder if your country has a national bird? Happy PFF (a little late because I'm replying on Sat.).

@Robin- I will really make an effort to begin yoga again on Monday. For awhile I was active in an online yoga group named WoYoPracMo. Haven't thought about them for months, and need to check in for incentive and support.
Have a beautiful weekend yourself.

@Riyadh- Thanks for another way of looking at what was frustrating me! My ear is getting better today. I need to wear earplugs at the concert on Sunday (if you were in Oregon I'd give you the tickets because I think you'd enjoy it more than we will...).

Lydia said...

@bookmanie- OOps. My last sentence was supposed to read:
"I really do love it and all of you." :)

Anonymous said...

That's so sweet of you. Thanks. I would really love to! I wish I were there!

bookmanie said...

You don't sleep this night, i suppose? Bookmanie.

earthtoholly said...

Worry not, as I'm just now reading your posts from late June...holy cow. And right about now you're probably on your way to the concert (as I check the calendar to make sure it's actually Sunday). I'm totally with you on the behind thing. Just take care of yourself and have a good time tonight. :o)

Rhiannon said...

Well, now Lydia you just need to take care of "you" right now. How long have you been taking the cipro? Not too long I hope as maybe the anti-biotics might be causing other problems? Just something to think about. Not good to take them for too long.

I stopped putting pressure on myself of late also in relation to blogging. I'm just too "pooped" and worn out. I know you love doing it but how about a nice quiet walk around the neighborhood when everyone during a workday when many are at work?

Your going through a lot now so just feel the "unwinding" and take some very slow deep breaths..1-2-3-4-...ahh..sigh..

"ooohmmm..ooohhhmmm...ooohhhhmm.:o)

Love, Rhi

Lydia said...

@Riyadh- See my latest post about the concert. It was better than I expected it to be. :)

@bookmanie- Oh, maybe just a little bit. Lots to do on Monday! Have a great week.

@earthtoholly- Ya know what? I read your comment before we left when we still weren't really in the mood to go, but your last statement turned our mood around! Really, thanks much.

@Rhiannon- Thanks for your good wishes and excellent advice. I will definitely take that walk and enjoy those deep breaths. My plan is to begin yoga seriously again this week, too.
(The Cipro has been for three weeks and to end on Tues. You're probably right because the doc said that next he'll prescribe some drops that clear the Cipro out.)

j said...

I am always behind, so I understand. And it's very funny how conditioned we have become to the "I'm a little behind" visual joke. I guess in your case I was expecting a cat butt or something.

I hope that your ear is feeling better (haven't read all the comments, because, well, I'm behind). I'll be catching up on more here tonight.

Oh, and I also hope that you are feeling caught up. So often when I feel like I have a lot to do, I end up rushing around, feeling like I can't enjoy a thing. Yoga really does help center things so hopefully you can pick that one up first! :)

Lydia said...

@Jennifer- A cat butt...funny, and not entirely out of the question!

Aargh. Today I caught up on little things that don't show but at least I know they are out of the way.
Yoga tomorrow. I'm saying it here and so will definitely get on my mat. I know I'll be more focused with everything if I just get that one thing back in balance.
Ear is better, not all the way back. Thanks for asking...you know this has been a real worry for me. When the goldfinches were singing so beautifully yesterday in the yard I filled up thinking how we should never take our senses for granted. I won't again.

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