I took this picture down the public landing a few weeks ago. The grass around the shore is starting to turn from green to brown; you could say it's going through a transition.
I found a book I gave my mother a long time ago when I thought she was going through a mid-life crisis. Since I’m 43 now, I thought it might be worth perusing.
Below is a quiz (along with my answers) from the book that supposedly tells if you’re in the midst of a crisis.
1. Do you find yourself spending hours at your desk in the office just staring off into space, or daydreaming about where you’d rather be?
CBW: Every single waking moment of every single day.
2. Do you find yourself resenting the twentysomethings at work for their ideas and enthusiasm?
CBW: Sometimes I think if I hear another twentysomething say the word “like,” as in, “Like, I woke up this morning and, like, ran four miles, and, like, then I came home and ate an egg-white omelet, because I’m, like, really watching what I eat. I have so much energy, it’s like I’m the Energizer Bunny. Like.”
So I really only resent their use of the word “like.”
3. Are you starting to utter clichés with absolute conviction to people younger than you like, “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”? Do you ever think, “Wow, a stitch in time really does save nine!”?
CBW: What is cliché about speaking the truth? Money does not, in fact, grow on trees. When did the truth become cliché?. And, by the way, I don’t sew, so I’d never say that one about the stitch in time saving nine.
4. Have you noticed a renewed interest in playing high-impact sports like basketball? Do you insist on playing with people younger than you are and get depressed if you can’t perform at their level? Do you get angry with yourself for waking up with a bad back the next morning?
CBW: What, exactly, is your point?
5. Do you search the mirror every night, looking closely for signs of new wrinkles in your face and panic if you see one?
CBW: What man came up with these questions? The same one who invented high heels? And by the way, I’m looking for unwanted hairs when I look in the mirror.
I’ve cast this book aside. I don’t think it really pertains to me. Not at all.
18 comments:
That test was to see what your breaking point is. I'm a bit surprised that it didn't delve into things like hemmoroids and warts and nose hairs.
I bet CBW's mother cherished that book all these years.
I flunked or passed however you look at it.
You can't have a mid life crisis! You are too busy fixing your house, going to work, and taking care of your kids : ). Oh, and you also have to take care of your blog. EVERY SINGLE DAY : )!
Wait. That's just stuff for a mid-life crisis? Well, apparently I've been having that for almost two decades. Maybe I should ponder this over cocktails.
...I think I'd go out and find that long lost burn pile you mentioned days ago and throw that book on it! lol... ;o)
...Blessings...
I have "a friend" who is experiencing all of those things. I believe that's why "she" drinks so much wine.
Of course it was written by a man because there was no reference to the (ok, MY) tendency to obsess about how freakin' gray my hair is turning. Coupled with the dire state of the economy and my recent resolution to not spend money on professional hair color, this is really a one-two whammy.
Men invented high heels because ALL of them are DYING to wear them every single day, along with a fancy dress and a parasol. You know what my point is.
Love,
Baby SIs
...Ya know, I got to thinking that this post really calls for an "intervention" of sorts, where we all get together and ponder the real meaning of this book. Say, over wine? lol... :oD
...Blessings...
TSA - The stupidest man!
GJ - No, actually CBMother quickly tossed it aside much like I did after a quick couple of page scans...
Sara - I like your perspective. I think we both passed. We realize that the questions are idiotic and we have risen above it all....yeah, that's it.
Reb./LWK - I actually think I've been in crisis since I was in my 30's and I really don't see an end in sight. I think it is just LIFE not so much mid-life. You have such a fresh outlook on things, don't let my negativity bring you down to my level, which is just above a snake's belly. (P.S. I hope Quince is doing OK. Still thinking about him.)
MPM - Amen, sister. Amen.
TJ - I think your idea of a book burning AND an intervention is outstanding. Outstanding.
BHE - Please tell your friend I am here to help and can't wait to "meet" her in the near future when we travel to ACDS for b-ball.
Soup - Dear Lord. I suffer from the gray hair syndrome too, and the final insult is it comes in all wirey and nasty. As if it isn't bad enough that it's gray, it has to go the extra mile and be unruly and unmanageable. The nerve.
Baby Sis - I don't know what to say, as usual....you've said it all.
LOL.....seeing as how I just turned 40 (Oh dear Lord I'm not used to saying that yet. Can't I just be 39 for a little while longer?) on Friday I'm in denial about my answers on that survey.
Men invented high heels because they like to look at us in them. They would really like to wear pantyhose and women's lingerie. HA! You are so right, cbw babysis.
Cbw, the dock in your picture belongs to Robert Brown. He was the life guard at the Yacht Club in The late 70's. He is now an EMT. He works in Charlottesville during the week and comes home on the weekends. I talked to him in FL yesterday. I hadn't seen him in like 28 years. Did you notice, I used the word like. See I still strive to be young. I agree with all of that stuff. I prefer to say we are getting better not older, like fine wine and cheese.
Auds - I'm right there with you. The Queen of de Nile. (40 sounds so very young to me, even though that was "only" 3 years ago...each year after 40 is like a dog year...multiply each year by 7.)
Cats - Is it any wonder that you and Baby Sister were named after the same person? Good use of the word "like." I won't hold it against you. You look 20 years younger than your age anyway, so you're entitled. Love ya.
hairs on the chin, yes I can relate to that. When I look in the mirror i just wonder who that is looking back at me, don't recognize that old woman at all.
Are you really surrounded with this much beauty or are you just a lucky photographer?
KD - I am definitely surrounded by beauty which makes me a very lucky photographer. (Anyone could take good pictures here...it's gorgeous and all you have to do is press a button set to "auto." Just be sure you aren't trespassing, which is, in my opinion, the most difficult part of taking pictures around here.)
mmm..all your talk about midlife at 40...makes me a little worried when I am over 60...but hey..I am loving life and enjoying every moment..it just gets better and better !!
Annie
ps If you can just ignore the clutter and the chin hairs! I don't mind the grey hair. And it is still the same me that looks out at me from the mirror...maybe I have just always been ...mmm...ugly!
Midlife. I'm there. It's OK. I don't have a midlife crisis; instead, I've been restless all my life. Midlife is no different!
Thank you for coming by. I took the test but I am not sure if I passed.
Post a Comment