I understand and even celebrate that it’s possible to feel contented with the domestic life. However, the actuality seems to escape me. Simplicity, repetition, silence—not my strong points.
Which is not to say I am unhappy. I’m talking about the emotional state of the time I spend alone in my house, because I can’t knit and can consume only so many cups of tea. While a great book will appease me, I would need an unending stream of them to find contentment.
I can’t complain. I mean, I can, but I understand that it’s not necessary. As compensation for such general mental squirminess, I find a near-ecstasy in the tiniest of moments, never planned.
Here is the reflection of my rubber dishwashing gloves, pink, hanging from my sink. Caught in the window that looks out on a camellia hedge thin enough to show the fence behind.
This is a hydrangea I transplanted because it was dying in the sun revealed when our big elm fell down. Image captured same day as the one above.
I could never have predicted this serendipitous pattern-matching and I could not love it more. Glee, joy, rapture, all the surpassing words.
Were I a character in an 18th-century novel I might be said to have a “restless and unbiddable mind.” For all my own occasional discomfort, I have it on good authority that this trait also makes me fun to talk to, and good company for adventures, even if we stick to the southern border of my suburban yard.
In our 60s, we can remind ourselves of our useful qualities as much as our shortcomings. Reflection. Pattern-matching.
But what might Austen have said of you, we ask on this summer morning? I asked ChatGPT, the generative AI making tech waves, how Jane Austen might wished you a nice weekend. It responded, “May your weekend be filled with felicity and repose!” Hmm. Also, LOL, right?
9 Responses
Alexa is somewhat wordier and unfocused:
Alexa, how would Jane Austen have wished me a nice weekend?
– from recollections.biz:
– She says one of the best things about these weekends is the wonderful conversation; and her guests seem to agree, as many become friends and make arrangements to return too the inn at the same time for their next visit.
This cracks me up! I mean, I’m all set to go back to the inn if someone gives me directions?
Although Alexa correctly said “return to,” not “return too,” which might have been even more confusing than the mysterious “inn” she references.
Simply said – Love it
Thank you!
Depending upon my mood, she may well have used You have delighted us enough, as per Mr Bennet.
(shrugs)
Hahahahahahahaha! I think of the English as the absolutely masters of a backhanded slight, but I’m so earnest and direct I’m probably got it wrong LOL.
“the English…backhanded slight” has put me in the mood to remind myself of Lady Something, who said to Sir Winston, “Sir, if I were your wife I’d poison your tea,” to which Sir Winston replied, “Madame, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.” I never tire of that riposte! More importantly, your photo of the reflection of dishwashing glove and hedge should be entered in a photography contest. It’s brilliant!
Aw, you’re so lovely! And that is an excellent riposte. One for the ages.
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