Friday, January 22, 2021

Days Like This

 "My mama told me there'll be days like this" The other day, my husband in a grumpy mood while watching the news said, "I hate people."  So I had to laugh at Sean Usher's timely "letter of note" today.  

Charles Darwin to Charles Lyell, 1861

It’s Friday. It’s January. It’s Day 62,297 of lockdown. My brain is a fog. There is no theme for today’s newsletter, unless, of course, you count “letters” as a theme, which would make sense. Today I’m feeling very much like Charles Darwin on 1 Oct 1861, hence this appalling introductory puddle of words. Please forgive me.

Enjoy, subscribedonate (or don’t, that’s fine!), and have as nice a weekend as is possible x


I am very poorly today & very stupid & hate everybody & everything. One lives only to make blunders. I am going to write a little Book for Murray on orchids & today I hate them worse than everything so farewell & in a sweet frame of mind, I am

Ever yours

Charles Darwin | Letter to Charles Lyell, 1 Oct 1861 | More Letters of Charles Darwin

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 There are, however, days like Jan. 20, 2021 and people like Amanda Gorman who leave me hopeful.

There'll be days when something gives life an unexpected buoyancy that balances  the  annoyances of everyday life.  And there'll be days when we feel like Darwin did in 1861, but maybe we will also have a little trace of the humor of his letter. 


 

12 comments:

  1. Yes, January 20th made me hopeful too.

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    1. I'm hoping for more from 2021 and for less of all the problems 2020 presented! :)

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  2. Amanda Gorman's poetry presentation was the highlight of the day!
    Hope lives on

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    1. She was so impressive, wasn't she? Her words and her manner and her youthful belief in the country were so moving.

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  3. My husband and I say this too often, I'm afraid. He always follows up with, "I prefer dogs over people any day!"

    Yes, Amanda Gorman is a shining light. I plan to buy her books. What an inspiration!

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    1. :) We can always depend on dogs to brighten our days. Amanda Gorman was, indeed, an inspiration!

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  4. There's a counter-statement which goes something like this: if you hate yourself, go and have a glass of water, but if you hate everyone else, you need food!

    Provided I'm allowed to substitute tea for water, it works pretty well, I think..

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    1. :) I hope Darwin had a good meal after writing his letter! Another option, at least these days, is to stop watching the news!

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  5. I've heard that Amanda Gorman has a book coming out soon. So excited. I missed her reading her poem but have since read it and so powerful. And, there are times I'm sure where I've said I'm over people. So I get your husband! :)

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    1. I'd like to read more of Gorman's poetry--she certainly had the right touch for the inaugural poem. And I think this past year has made a lot of people feel "over people." :)

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  6. I have to confess that the "I hate people" statement happens at our house, too. Ricky and I take turns being totally outdone by everyone but "thee and me--and I'm not sure about thee"--speaking of us as the thee and me, not you.

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Good to hear from you!