Time is a river, but once one is over 60, it feels like a waterfall. At least I experience time like that. Maybe it’s because everything takes longer to get done, maybe it’s because the flow of time has accelerated over the last years, but I’m very sure it feels as if the week consists of just a few hours. It was Monday, and all of a sudden – it’s already weekend. I was absent from this blog for quite a while.
I’m simply too busy catching up. The world has also changed with all major events rushing over us. The seasons have changed. We have fall season here in Ontario already, and I jumped over the summer completely. Half of the summer I was suffering from bad pain due to an accident and so I couldn’t do anything else, but read. As you know, I read only real books since I would love to spend no time online and no time staring at screens. I’m not addicted to devices and I use them only if absolutely necessary.
Nothing much has happened also during the last 3 months. I’m still just at home here, haven’t seen anybody, haven’t been anywhere. The garden I started in spring was doing ok, but we basically had no rain, none whatsoever all summer. Well, there were too many cucumbers and I have too many tomatoes at the moment. I don’t feel like making preserves this year and I also don’t have jars.
The internet and everything being online has made life extremely complicated. Dealing with paperwork isn’t easy and I plain and simple hate paperwork, just like many other people. However, I don’t think there are many people who didn’t get married because of paperwork. I managed that, back in Europe, and I was actually very happy later that I didn’t get married. It’s because the distance of time revealed the true face of that person.
The other thing I absolutely cannot take is meetings. It’s supposed to be great attending meetings, but I just dislike them so much that if you want to never see me again, just invite me to some meeting. This is because during the soviet times, up to 1991 while Latvia was in the USSR, we were always in meetings, preparing pointless and useless reports, plans and schedules. The paperwork was overwhelming and, I have to admit I have missed probably a lot of good opportunities since they required plenty of paperwork. I simply do not apply to shows, art associations, exhibitions and so on.
Living is tight for most people nowadays. My ability to do numerous things on my own helps. Being a good cook helps, too. However, it’s been so much cooking while staying only at home that I’ve lost the spark for doing that. Thankfully, I’ve never changed my size or weight after 21, therefore, I have a wide choice of outfits. I am wearing pants I had sewn in 2004 when I just arrived in Canada, jackets and skirts from 90-s. I have sewn them myself, therefore, the fabric is excellent and doesn’t wear out or lose color like the readymade clothes.
While I am on some social media sites, I really cannot stand them. Facebook is a necessity for art classes and other art events, but the most I can spend there is about 5 minutes a week. I just look at Facebook, and it takes no time at all to become nauseated. I think I was already too old when social media became a must for whatever we want to promote and put out there, so I never felt social media as an organic part of me. I lack that chatty style and I’m way too realistic and honest to spread lies shamelessly. I never engage in small talk either, also in real life. Or give out fake compliments. Or watch weird videos.
Nothing of that makes my life better, therefore, as I mentioned before, I rather read real books. Or some blogs, or my own blogs. The problem is that most people don’t have time to even look at the actual post. They click on “like” from Reader and then leave a comment – please, visit my site. While I have quite many followers, I know well those few who read my posts. I hope I will stay in touch and be more present during the upcoming months, but my art site and art blog definitely take priority since art is what I do, and I want it to stay that way. Making income with art is very tricky. It’s also time- and resource-consuming business. Well, time will show how I survive doing what most people would say is a futile effort.
Meanwhile, I’d like to remind that time is a river, and it never gives us back anything. Float, swim or fight the flow – that’s up to each one of us. As long as we are above the water, we can do lots.
Have a decent fall season!
Inese Poga Life School 
Thank you for always being transparent and real in your shares Inese. I really honor and respect that and I always love the photos and art that you share. I hope that you are feeling better after going through such pain from your accident. Like you I only ready real books, don’t like paperwork and meetings, and find social media a challenge…so I limit my time to only what’s necessary and find that with the change of seasons right now I’m feeling to make a bigger change in my life. Will be interesting to see how things evolve for each of us. Autumn Equinox wishes to you ❤
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Thanks Tania Marie!
Well, as I get older, I feel the need to be more direct. I was thinking yesterday that the best age for me was between 45 and 55. A great decade. Still lots of energy, everything happening. Now, 10 years later, I think I’d love to settle down, this moving from one place to another really gets in a way of so many things I do, including the garden which I obviously cannot take with me.
The recovery has been very slow this time, but it’s gradually getting better. I managed to set up my show at the community centre, but it’s not what I had intended to. The injuries didn’t allow for that.
It’s just a difficult time right now, not much space for dreaming. Too much work just to get by, and not that good outcomes. I’m afraid to think about the future, it’s scary.I haven’t seen my daughter and other relatives for almost 4 years now. We are very far from each other, with the Atlantic ocean in the middle.
Well, time is standing still for a moment, except seasons have changed.
All the best to you!
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I understand what you mean. I also prefer to settle these days, as I do love my garden and it would be challenging to care for and leave it all the time. I’m glad to hear you are improving although slowly. I know the amount of work that goes into the things you do and so my heart goes out to you. Things are challenging everywhere and it can be hard to find that space for hope and dreaming. Connections with kindred spirits and nature are my go-to reminders. Sending you much love for this new season and warm wishes that you can see your family again soon.
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I’m sorry, Tania Marie, I just found this comment.
Well, I’ve been cleaning and fixing and there’s still so much to do before the weather gets really cold. So I somehow managed to miss quite a few comments actually.
My husband is doing ok, but I can say, I’m doing nothing really regarding income. It’s been 3 years with hardly any pay for me, and once I got the injury, I haven’t seen a penny for more than 3 months now. It really limits the choices and it really puts one in bad spot since bills and payments never end. I don’t really know if there’s anything else I can do for free because I am doing it all, and results are sparse at the best.
Thanks very much for your wonderful comment! I’ve gotta get back to work.
All the best to you and yours!
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Oh no worries at all sweet friend! Thank you for your sweet message and letting me know how things are going there amidst all you have going on. We already have snow here and I still haven’t finished my garden cleanup either…busy days for sure! I really wish it wasn’t hard for artists, but it continues to be a challenge to shift the paradigm with how people value art. I continue to hope.
Sending you warm hugs and wishes. Hope that you’re able to get everything done before the weather shifts there.
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Everything is viewed materialistically. There’s no space for appreciation of finer things in life at the moment. We cannot blame people for that because most of them are just trying to cover basics.
Imagination is still running wild.
We’ve got the first snow day today. It looks nice, but since the snow is wet, it’s also messy.
The two sides of everything, they are like twins which will never be separated. And the short lifespan of beauty, i’s better not to engage in too deep contemplation.
I never really knew where exactly you live, it seems you’re travelling a lot. The nature is breathtaking where you are.
Well, I have not that magnificent views, but there’s still something to stop by.
All the best Tania Marie!
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Yes, that’s so true. It’s challenging for everyone these days.
Glad you got a lot of your garden work done before the snow…I agree with your reflections so much always.
We live in the Lake Tahoe, Nevada area. We don’t travel that much really, but were away for a couple of months this summer to avoid the potential fire season that can bring smoke in our area. And last year we were evacuated. So we took precautions, but turned out this year was super mild and only about a week and a half of smoke. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our time away by the ocean for a little change. We live in the mountains high in altitude at 6600 feet. The terrain is very varied, which is why it sometimes looks like I’m traveling but am actually at home where we have a lot of lakes, variety of foliage, forests, and four seasons and then high desert not far from us too.
I’m glad you have your own beauty and inspiration to draw upon there. Warm and best wishes Inese! Always lovely to hear from you and receive your reflections.
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Oh, I’ve heard about that lake, never been there, though.
Judging by your photos, it’s an extremely nice area where there’s everything.
I had lots to do still, but it’s now under the snow. Well, whatever.
We have big pressures of inflation. All local art stores closing, all small places closing. I have no chance to sell anything either. Very tough. Being for so many years a freelancer, doesn’t help. There’s no work at the moment and this bad situation will probably stretch over some 3-5 years until everything normalizes assuming there are no world wars.
This winter will be bad for so many people, everywhere. I suppose, warmer climate is better when it comes to saving. Our very cold winters are no pleasure. While many people count days to Christmas, I am already counting days till next spring. That’s something to look forward to.
The sad thing is that this is our only life as we know it, and who wants to spend it just waiting for better times? Unfortunately, there’s very little a person can do. No work means no income and that comes with all kinds of related issues. I suppose tightening more is an option, but I already cannot remember when I bought something.
I hope your lifestyle allows for enjoyment. All we can do is find pleasure in things which come for free, like nature.
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For the last twenty-eight years I have lived alone by myself, and my books, now I live outside a town quite remote from downtown, it takes me fifty minutes driving in order to get there, I may go to town once, or twice a week, at most to take care of business, or see friends, or my son for cofee, and to pick up my mail from my PO Box.
Since I retired and moved out from Los Angeles, I live on the left side of the screen on the background near the hills, I am sending you, this morning on my daily morning walk I could see across the bay what you can see in the video.
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Good for you!
The settings here are quite different. If I want to get somewhere, I’ve got to walk. Since I couldn’t walk for more than a month, I’m just staying in one place.
The climate must be much nicer there. We go from abnormal heat to very cold, just like in 1 day. No more heat for us.
It looks like. I really depend on the weather, I think many people do. Unfortunately, I never managed to live in a place where you can skip winter. And I would love so much to skip it. Since early childhood, all I wait for is spring and summer, and somehow get through the cold time, rather hibernate through it. Imagine all this lost time because one is under the weather, so to speak?
Small towns are good for living, at least, we can stay closer to the ground. Being high up and detached from the earth, can cause numerous troubles, add to that all radiation, smog, pollution, vibrations and so on and you have the picture. Well, I’m extremely claustrophobic, too, and have been always afraid of heights.
I remember when we travelled in California, I loved everything so much!
I don’t think you’d like Ontario, there’s something too industrial about it. Well, the rural spots are quite nice, but that’s hours away from where we are.
It was great to hear from you and see how you’re doing. All the best!
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I am glad to hear you are recovering, even though it has been slower this time. I notice that with my own injuries. Takes longer to heal now. The future is frightening, with prices skyrocketing, supply chain problems, and people so stressed. Civility is decreasing with the changes in society. Many I know are withdrawing into their own safe worlds.
I know well the feeling of time being like a river. These days especially, I feel like I am being swept downstream, and have not had the energy to fight the current. I just go with it. I have to get more sleep these days, and ground myself with gardening and observing the natural world as much as I can.
Cucumbers did very well here, too. Rick makes homemade pickles, for us the best way to preserve the bounty. He has put away a record number of quart jars of an heirloom variety called “Edmondson”. Tomatoes and eggplant got a late start, and are finally producing ripe ones. I have extra plants in large containers on the porch, too, as I was unable to get everything in the garden in June. It is a race with the autumn weather now. We could get a frost any time.
I attended my share of meetings in my earlier years. Sometimes good came from them, sometimes I wondered afterwards what actually got accomplished.
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You actually had posted a comment, and I’m not sure how I didn’t see it.
The same with me: too less fighting power and energy to withstand the current. Which I sometimes don’t even try doing.
I didn’t make any pickles this year, I was just too tired. I also didn’t have supplies for that, don’t know what happened to jars, etc. after this moving.
Homemade things are still the best. I’m wondering whether I should make some sauerkraut. What they sell here is absolutely horrible, and I’m missing it a lot, especially with green onions and sour cream.
I must be hungry since all my thoughts run around food.
It’s good the harvest finally turned around, nothing like your home-grown goodies.
Don’t mention meetings, I don’t think I’d enjoy one these years.
I hope things get better for you as the time passes by!
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I am catching up again, Inese. I thought I had commented here on this post, but I don’t see the comment. I am keeping my head above water, and yes, life is very complicated here, too, especially after the heart attack. The garden finally caught up and produced many tomatoes, eggplant and cucumbers into the end of October. We had roughly two weeks of a transitional autumn, and then plunged into winter.
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I hope your health is ok and improving. Heart attack is no joke.
We are here, too, just somewhat managing.
And we are also just getting the winter weather. It was very nice November so far.
All the best to you!
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