If today follows yesterday’s pattern I will be able to type this morning but by evening I won’t even be able to sit without being aware of the pain in my hands. Sorry if it seems like I’m moaning a lot, but I find it difficult to write about politics, philosophy or economics when my fingers hurt. I generally find it easier to write about the pressing matters close to home. Fortunately I only have severe pain for a a few days every year and haven’t had it this bad for about a year. However, it is human nature not to bother writing about things that go well.
In fact, it was just before lockdown. My hands were really bad when we went down to Suffolk in what turned out to be the week before lockdown. It was an interesting week. All the Londoners had fled to their country cottages, food was short in supermarkets, restaurants were nearly empty in the evenings and I could barely manage my shirt buttons. Yes, on one of the more historic weeks I have lived through, I had trouble dressing myself. It will be an interesting chapter in my memoirs – the world collapses and I debate the merits of wearing T Shirts. Or Tee shirts. Or T-Shirts. I wasn’t sure how to spell it, so I checked it up. Seems the rest of the world isn’t sure either.
I’m going to make brunch now. Part of it is sourdough bread and I’m not looking forward to cutting it. The bread knife, wielded by stiff fingers, does not cope with the bottom crust, so I have to bring out a carving knife and push it though the last bit. I should have stuck to using sliced bread.
Who would have thought it? When you are twenty you wonder about the mysteries of life, like why you have to work five whole days between weekends, whether we actually will ever get household robots and where you will keep all your money after a glittering career. When you are sixty you wonder if you will be able to make brunch without severing a finger. The gulf between the two things is fertile ground for a game of “What have I done with my Life?”
Ah well, brunch…
Hopefully the worse will be over soon.
Yes, everything seems to be progressing and even, I hope, improving. 🙂
“the pain, the feeling of getting old or the thoughtlessness I displayed in all my earlier years.” The last one is the most painful for me though I can relate to the other two pretty well.
It is a comfort to me to find that I share some of my traits with one of the elder statesmen of WordPress. One day I hope I too may become an example to those younger than me…
You are certainly an inspiration to at least some of those who are older than you.
You are very kind, though I fear your kindness exceeds your accuracy. 🙂
On this occasion, you are wrong.
🙂
I hope you can find a way to reduce the pain in your hands, Quercus. Good luck with that.
Currently using a hot water bottle – the old ways ar the best. 🙂
I think that most of us sixty plus can relate to that!
But I hadn’t planned on getting old till I was 80! 🙂
It’s the pain that comes with age that we never think about earlier. We may understand that things won’t work properly – but not the pain you experience more than most.
I’m not sure which I dislike most – the pain, the feeling of getting old or the thoughtlessness I displayed in all my earlier years. 🙂
Hope those hands feel better soon! No fun not being able to cope with the activities of everyday life. Interesting how your memories of your last flare-up corelate with the lockdown a year ago. A seasonal flare-up?
Yes, I was wondering that. I’m trying to remember what the weather was like…
You know somewhere in my head there’s an analogy about best invention since sliced bread but I can’t quite get there
Invented 1928 in the USA. 🙂 It used to be part of my bread presentation to schools. 🙂
I know what you mean – there should be a witty remark in there but it is resisting being found. 🙂
It’s right there…
🙂