Monday, October 13, 2008

(A)typical Day




oday's the day, that bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I was going to wake up and document my goings-on according the example set forth by Mrs. G over at Derfwad Manor and a great number of her loyal readers. But a cold brought home by the Child has slowed me down considerably (think "slow motion"), and the "Typical day" I meant to portray has turned out to be anything but my normal ritual. My wits and gait are slower to respond, and I swear I could actually feel when the Dayquil hit my bloodstream. So now this post is going to have to now take on a duality: the day as it is and the day how it would routinely go.

1. Typical: I get up earlier than everyone and brew my favorite coffee, Chock Full-'o-Nuts, in my pretty silver percolator. I savor the silence for at least a full hour before I get the boys up, and I spend this time listening to Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac for the day, checking my email and catching up on blogs.

Today: I woke up much later than normal, brewed the coffee, and tried to sneak in a little quiet time, but to no avail. It was time for the Child to wake up, and he knew it, although I told him otherwise. He sat upright in his bed like a shot, and in complete denial (as he wiped his nose on his sleeve and gave a little cough), "I'm not sick today!" (He just wanted to go to school because he's bored to death of being cooped up here at home all weekend.) I decided to keep him home for another day, much to his (and my) chagrin.

More later...I need to lie down for a while. In the middle of the day. Atypical.

Part II -- (A)Typical Day

Yes, hours later, and I'm still sitting in the same spot. (And so is the dog, for whoever's keeping score.)





Right now I'd like to focus on a couple of other things that are decidedly atypical about my "day in the life." 1. I spent the morning pondering the intricacies of the movie I saw IN THE THEATER last night. I hardly ever get to see a movie in the theater, so when I do, I think about it as more of an event, complete with popcorn and more Coke than any human should probably imbibe in a two hour stretch. The movie, Nights in Rodanthe was an all-out girly flick with Diane Lane and Richard Gere, and THE BEACH HOUSE. Filled with art and the symbolic repetition of all shades of blue, I began to look on the house as a full-fledged character who was just as important to the story line as the people were.

2. Something else atypical but lovely about today: I'm currently working with Michelle Baird of Shabby Creations to help me launch a BRAND NEW BLOG. As many of you know, Michelle is a very talented blog designer, and she's positively delightful to work with. (And when I told her that I wanted a mint julep and an armadillo included somewhere in the design, she didn't even bat an eye. ) One of the side effects of having someone design your blog for you: you actually have to think on a philisophical level about who you are. Dangerous territory. Who am I? What do I like? What my "style?" These are questions that feel luxurious to explore.

9 Things not left unsaid:

Mrs. G. said...

Feel better!

Southern Girl said...

Aw, sweety,thank you. (:

Saucy said...

I hope you feel better. Maybe Richard Gere's movie made you unwell, it would do that to me. I totally dig that you got into the symbolic use of the colour blue!

Karen said...

Hope you feel better soon. I give you kudos for trying to get your atypical day posted at all. And I love the dog still in the same spot too, for those keeping score!

Candace said...

I hope you do feel better! Being sick is bad enough. The Child in the house, too. Well... not priceless.

"Appaloosa" should also perk you up considerable! Trust Me.
And a new blog? Fantastic.

Take care!

Southern Girl said...

Thanks, everyone, for all the "well wishes." (: I am feeling a little better today, and the Child got sent back to school against my better judgement. I was outnumbered 2-to-1 by he and the Husband when I said "Maybe just One More Day at home."

Jody Blue said...

Just found your blog, have to say it is the prettiest one yet. Would love to know how you did that--unless its a secret!

Jacqui G said...

Dahling, I do hope you're feeling better - these cold-things are quite ghastly and so un-goddess-like!

Seriously though, you are an utter inspiration and unreachable example to me (and I assume hundreds of other would-be bloggers). How on earth do you manage to write such prose in the midst of a bout of unwellness, when I can't even get a post published on a really good day??!

You have created a small other world for yourself, filled with red rooms and literary magic, into which we more ordinary mortals may glimpse occasionally through these pages and wistfully wish we could do the same.

We are grateful and envious.
Jacqui

femminismo said...

Oh, me too, me too! I'll second your wonderfulness!
Somehow I missed your sick day. I hope it is over and only a memory by now. I think I "clicked in" and got stuck on the Hemingway shelf. Didn't scroll down far enough. Take care. - jeanne