Observations From Hadleyville: THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR TEDIUM

Friday, December 9, 2011

THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR TEDIUM

We have a house full of kids and granddaughter. Four: it feels--and sounds--like Sherman's Army marching through Georgia. It's great, but I'm exhausted. This is the thing about getting older I hate the most. Despite hiking, bike riding and staying active, I just don't have much long-term energy any more.

It makes me respect Karen's grandparents all the more. They raised her to adulthood from the time she was nine. How did they do that? It's not like she was a shy, friendless, bookworm. She was a cheerleader, for Pete's sake.

So, the multiple inputs are fading. The screeching train whistles, electronic carols, and two squealing elementary girls are mellowing. Charlie Brown Christmas is playing on the DVD. It's quite pleasant. I'm enjoying the moment, but I'm still tired.

1 comment:

Larry Geiger said...: Two grandchildren for seven hours Saturday and I'm pooped out. We hear you.; December 12, 2011 at 7:36 AM

Post a Comment

QUASI-LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Don the Baptist considers himself to be both intellectually deep and extremely humorous. Don the Baptist assumes no responsibility for blog browsers who cannot tell the difference between the two. Blog browsers are advised to consider any "Observations from Hadleyville" content that makes no sense to be the result of a lack of intellect or sense of humor on the part of the blog browser and not that of the blogger. Don the Baptist is a non profit guy so don't bother suing Don the Baptist as it would be a waste of time and resources.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”