I’ve been searching my brain for days and days, hunting down a quotation that I feel may explain my present state. I just now recollected the author, which is something. Given that and some diligent Googling, I found my quote in no more than ten minutes:
“The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are always being asked to do more, and you are not yet decrepit enough to turn them down.” — T S Eliot
I’m not sure this version is entirely accurate. I think there may have been ‘things’ after the more, and I seem to remember that the quote continues, importantly, saying that, [after seventy] one needs give no reason or excuse for the turning down.
This’ll do, though. I decline to do what I do not want to do, and feel no need to excuse or explain.
So, I’ll not claim to have enjoyed my short break, nor to have hated it. It was necessary, and that’s all I shall say on the subject.
We had a day by the sea, which was good, and I took a photograph, which is neither good nor bad. Just enough, and that’s enough for me:
Waiting for the tide; Swansea Bay
I’ve been doing a lot of waiting for the tide.
John, I’m a big believer of doing what one has to do when one has to do it. Glad you’re back, though. That’s a rather cool picture.
And… thanks for all the wonderful messages, folks. I didn’t do anything special to deserve them, but they make me feel a little special.
And now… on with the motley.
Oh yay! you’re back! And you’ve given us a photo too!!!
Thanks!
And thanks for the quotation – really enjoyed it.
John, spring affects us all in different ways. Most people perk up, others don’t, some feel worse. I’m halfway through a six-week leave from work. You do what you can and need not explain nor apologize.
There’s something about that picture that definitely speaks to me as well. I definitely feel that way some days. Thank you.
Welcome back John. I find myself in complete agreement with your sentiments. And I love the photo.
Glad to see you back!
We missed you. I’m very glad to see you again…..so there.
We shall take whatever you have to offer John
John, You once said to me, “Your turn will come.” That turn has arrived. I spent some time this week writing about people’s expectations of me, as compared with what I’m willing and able to give. You owe none of us anything, but when you’re gone we miss you just the same. For me, and with regard to you, it’s a matter of fondness, admiration and affection.
AVT
I’m not going to lie, I don’t miss you on your breaks because I have a shocking memory and so much to read but… it’s always a DELIGHT when you come back!
I trust your muse will arrive you to sweep you off your feet with something new soon.
You don’t owe us anything but we can’t help worrying about you! Just a word or two is enough until you want to add more
I love the fifty-to-seventy quote — but I had thought it was from George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans)… so I’ve just gone to Google and I find that some citations say it was Thomas Stearns and some say it was Mary Anne… but none cite the actual source, so who’s to say?
I suppose that if we just say the line belongs to “Eliot” and don’t specify which one, who’s to say we are wrong, eh?
I don’t care WHO said it – or why. I know what you mean. It may have been at around 50 yrs of age that I gave up doing what the world outside wanted, and althought I’m not necessarily better off now, I am more at peace with myself, and with semi-retirement just a few weeks away now, I can’t wait to be even more at peace – poorer – but at peace. I think it goes along the same lines as that person (? woman) who said she was going to wear purple when she got really old… just because she could. Who said that? Where’s my purple hat?
OK I found it. And I quote:
Warning
by Jenny Joseph
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples’ gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Welcome back! Life is real again
That’s a different poem from the one I recall Bex, I seem to remember there being something about eating cold baked beans straight from a tin, but either way I like it – haven’t quite got there yet tho I’m working on it!
Glad you’re back John.
ThanK you for all your years of teaching me. Now the wonderful quote is further guidance. I R not a mature poet but am “MATURE” enough to steal.
Some where I have that book ‘When I’m an old woman I shall wear purple”. I should look for it.
I missed you so much but just couldn’t squeeze any more ‘worry’ as I have a plate full of that now.
So glad you’re back too, John. I hope you were relaxing over your break and getting in good form.
Good to ‘see’ you back here … time out can be a very good thing.
Whew! All’s nearer to being right with the world. I hope your break was somewhat restorative.
Glad you got to the coast for a bit and had a good respite. I just got back from a trip to Japan, where I had a good soak at a spa and washed winter away.
The Japanese make a ‘cherry blossom shampoo’ that is really delightful. I bathed with their version of Irish Spring [very creamy] first and then lathered all over with the Cherry Blossom for a second go-round.
Hooray! You’re back! We missed you.x
Oh gosh John….. how very wonderful – I have been missing not visiting you and now that I have sent my friends back on their plane and before taking my shower, I just allowed myself to read this – and am so bowled over by all of it. Love the quote, love the comments, love your thoughts and very cool pixie for the WAITING for…. just what I needed to start my day – after the ‘dreadfulness’ of saying Good Bye (they live presently in Russia and as everybody knows it’s not that simple to visit people there), this has put a big smile on my face! Ta to you and all of you
Kiki
I don’t know if I may – but I DID an upload on the Flickr photo page I have on the theme of the PURPLE HAT http://www.flickr.com/photos/vol-au-vent/3452971867
Funnily it seems as if this lovely story gets more true the older we get…
I must say I’m just happy that you’re back, John! Big smiles!
And of course you don’t owe us anything and you don’t need to meet our expectations either, but it’s us who miss you and wish you the very best.