We were scheduled to have photographs of Fram working out today, but somehow the camera was dropped into a swimming pool. Someone reported that Fram walked right into the pool when he turned his head to look at a young lady strolling past. Under the circumstances, these representations will have to do to illustrate Saturday in the life of Fram the Actual.
Splish-splash: Washing winter from my body ....
My winter, my personal calendar for winter, runs from November 1 through March 31. As I have noted before on these pages, I once attended a Labor Day picnic during which snow flurries were among the afternoon guests. I have seen three or four inches of snow accumulate the week of Memorial Day. The most violent blizzard I ever have been caught in took place on April 14. Never-the-less, those five months of "Fram Winter" are all I am willing to tolerate, no matter what comes out of the blue during the other seven months of the year.
This means we are in the midst of the last weekend of winter, at least according to my calendar. Time to begin the festival of spring.
I rolled into bed about 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning. At 9:45 a.m., I opened my eyes. I felt wide awake and refreshed, so much so my first thought was that I had slept round the clock. (I have done that two or three times during my life; maybe more, who keeps count?) But that was not the case. Four hours of sleep again, but with clarity and clearness to accompany them.
(Big time-out. "Stay [just a little bit longer]" came on the radio. The Jackson Browne version. That song kills me. Lot of memories .... ok .... back to here again.)
After coffee, toast and a bit of television news, I replenished food shelves and liquor cabinet. Then I went to a Y (as in MCA). It was my first visit there in at least two years. I went through about 90 minutes of leisurely working out. I had resumed a few almost-daily push-ups and sit-ups and what-nots toward the end of February, so it was not exactly a shock to the system.
Next, I went to the pool and swam for about 30 minutes. Other than a pair of fast laps from sheer exuberance, I mostly just hung out: Closing my eyes and sinking, drifting, returning to the womb (sort of), seeing how long I could hold my breath, watching the young ladies, splish-splash.
Finally, I stood under a very hot shower for nearly 30 minutes, washing away the last remnants of this long, dreary winter from my body.
The weather report for tomorrow (later today, actually) is good. Saturday, the body was cleansed of winter. On Sunday, cleansing of the mind will begin in earnest. Monday, a few inches of snow are in the forecast, but who cares? Certainly not me. Winter ends for me on Wednesday, no matter what happens .... do you understand what I am saying?
Mother, I went to China this morning.
The trees were pagodas, the puddles were seas.
Dragons were hiding behind the begonias.
I was a mandarin.
Willows were blowing.
Lies, lies, said she.
And I hid from her frightening eyes.
who can say, who can say?
Children, the gardens belong now to goblins.
The willows spread legends, the waterfall plays.
Fairytales wind like a web round the window.
Goodnight to all birds now.
The night's wings are folding.
Lies, lies, said I.
But I hid from her wonderful eyes.
who can say, who can say?
"Who Can Say"
by Alastair Reid
Music Note: Content (again) to listen to a classic rock station on the radio ….
Currently playing: "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol
Causey Reservoir in October
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Causey Reservoir has been and always will be is my escape from reality, a
place that feels like another planet.
The Wasatch Mountains rise, the air is...
1 day ago
13 comments:
Swimming is the best thing to clear the head and wash away the winter. I love to swim...I'm actually a very good swimmer. I can swim a mile in 20 minutes :)
I can canoe a mile in 20 minutes. You can swim it? Oh, well.
Thanks, Kelly, seriously. You always leave me feeling happy, and I think you'd win the race in a swim with me.
I don't think...no. I'm sure I couldn't canoe a mile in 20 minutes. Maybe if I practiced.
You swim, I will canoe, and I guess it would be a tie.
I will write my comments tomorrow, in the mean time, if you need a little laughter, please read what Dapo said under Sonnet No. 29.
Can’t stop laughing! Be well.
N.
"Now the seats are all empty..let the roadies take the stage.." - Is that the song you`re talking about?
heyy I love the song too.
"Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Oh please, please stay just a little bit more
Now the promoter don’t mind
And the roadies don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave this all behind and sing
One more song"
:):) do you hear a lot of Jackson Browne? I remember another of his song 'running on empty' that I would often listen to. Not anymore though.. You brought back some good memories :)
It sounds as if you had a wonderful day Fram - a proper cleansing rite of spring perhaps?
In the same way, the passing of winter into spring was officially noted here with the start of 'British Summer Time' and the putting forward of the clocks by one hour. Lighter evenings at a stroke...
I love Billy Idol. I saw him play live at the end of July last year at the wonderfully old-fashined Brixton Academy in London. The boy's still got it, ooh yeah... :-)
Yes, Natalie. That would make an interesting sight. And, I can only imagine the headline in the next day's newspaper.
Hey, Piper, hi there.
A few people have recorded this song. Jackson Browne retained the original melody in his version, but changed the words for concert purposes. I could listen to his variation all night long, but the words I prefer are from the original, which are the words usually recorded:
Now, your daddy don't mind
And your mommy don't mind
If we have another dance
Yeah, just one more
One more time
Oh, won't you stay
Just a little bit longer
Please let me hear
You say that you will
Say you will
Won't you press your sweet lips
To mine
Won't you say you love me
All of the time
Hopefully, I'll stop some of my whining about winter now, Katy. At least until next year.
The time changes drive me nuts. (Please, no additional comments necessary.) I would prefer it stay the same year-round.
You just reminded me that I need to get to a music store.
You couldn't stay away for too long, Fram... You can't! Hooked...
I didn't forget to stop by & comment - I am in great pain now, just got back from oral surgery (ohhhh my....)It's "defrosting" time, most painful period, you know....
Be well, Fram
Hooked? Me? Never .... so far, anyway .... never ....
I hope you are feeling better now that it has been a few days, Natalie .... I guess it is obvious you are since you are out and about and writing ....
The YMCA saved my life. No, really!! In the midst of my latest (!) divorce, I began running on a regular basis, on a treadmill, at the YMCA. I viewed it as more than a physical health benefit- it was a mental health session! I always feel recharged and ready to face anything- got me through a lot.
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