Today is one of those days when I just can't stop myself getting lost in thought. In fact, for the last few days I've been more than a bit contemplative. The cause of all this self-reflection is simple; today my daughter, Alicia, is 20 years old. The plain fact of the matter is that I have a child who is no longer a teenager. So far, everyone who has become aware of this has responded in the same way; a smile, a shrug and a gentle acknowledgment that it signifies inescapable evidence that middle-age has set in. Advancing age has never been a difficult issue for me, but I am starting to take exception to those folks who insist that it's always a bad thing.
I have always regarded the day of Alicia's birth as the most significant sea-change moment in my life. At 5.20am on April 28th 1989 I became an adult. A proper responsible grown-up. So in many ways, today is my 20th anniversary of adulthood, and I can't help thinking that most of my life is much better than it was back in the day. OK, so I finally have to accept that my eyesight isn't so hot and reading glasses await me. Granted, the old hair is more than a little grey at the temples, but at least it's still all there. And it's true, if I party past midnight nowadays, there's every chance that it will take me two days to recover. But is all this that important? On the positive side, most people think I'm more patient and considerate than I was back in 1989. I'm certainly more content in the realisation that I don't have all the answers and that saving the world isn't all my burden to carry. Physically, I've never been so fit or strong and I'm in much better shape than I was when Alicia was born. I have a great and fulfilling career that was completely unknown and uncharted territory for me back then. Most importantly of all, Lynn and I are still together in the same way we always have been, (even if that makes the kids cringe from time to time).
So what's the big deal? Bring on the dancing girls and celebrate I say. Just to be clear what I mean by that, Alicia will rave hard until about 5.00am tomorrow and I'll have a curry and an early night. After all, I'm not getting any younger.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Monday, 20 April 2009
Work and work
Today I went back to my day-job, after my customary fortnight's holiday at Easter. Nothing remarkable in that; the emails have stacked-up, staffing issues have flared-up and died down in my absence and my staff team have done their usual stirling job of keeping-on perfectly well without me. Just another post-holiday return to work. Except, for me, this one feels very different.
The difference is that for the past two weeks I have been toiling down on Plot 28 and busying myself raising plants from seeds...and I've really enjoyed myself. Now I really understand those self-sufficiency wannabees who claim that they are too busy to go to work. Sitting at my desk and pondering the memos and draft accounts, I keep wondering how the carrots are doing and whether I should be mulching the raspberries? Nothing is going to be the same as it was before I saw the first green leaf appear from the first seed I sowed. I don't want to sound all 'born-again' about it, but it is a real everyday kind of magic.
For the record, and for those of you who are keen to eat the goods later this year, plenty of progress has been made. Strawberries, apples, cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, parsnips, peas, carrots, beans, onions, shallots, garlic, spinach and chard all in and doing well. The potatoes are chitting nicely and will be ready for planting in the next 10 days. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, squash, sprouts and leeks adorn all our windowsills and will be in the ground when they are ready. Unfortunately, I was too enthusiastic with the courgettes and, like an over-pampered and spoiled first child, they are too 'leggy' and can't support themselves. I'll try again.
On a final note, I have scrounged a glass door from a skip and built the biggest cold frame in the Northern hemisphere. Who said my woodworking skills weren't up to scratch? Oh yes, it was my woodwork teacher as I recall. That's probably why I've been flying a desk all these years. Back to the day job then.
The difference is that for the past two weeks I have been toiling down on Plot 28 and busying myself raising plants from seeds...and I've really enjoyed myself. Now I really understand those self-sufficiency wannabees who claim that they are too busy to go to work. Sitting at my desk and pondering the memos and draft accounts, I keep wondering how the carrots are doing and whether I should be mulching the raspberries? Nothing is going to be the same as it was before I saw the first green leaf appear from the first seed I sowed. I don't want to sound all 'born-again' about it, but it is a real everyday kind of magic.
For the record, and for those of you who are keen to eat the goods later this year, plenty of progress has been made. Strawberries, apples, cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, parsnips, peas, carrots, beans, onions, shallots, garlic, spinach and chard all in and doing well. The potatoes are chitting nicely and will be ready for planting in the next 10 days. Tomatoes, peppers, chillies, squash, sprouts and leeks adorn all our windowsills and will be in the ground when they are ready. Unfortunately, I was too enthusiastic with the courgettes and, like an over-pampered and spoiled first child, they are too 'leggy' and can't support themselves. I'll try again.
On a final note, I have scrounged a glass door from a skip and built the biggest cold frame in the Northern hemisphere. Who said my woodworking skills weren't up to scratch? Oh yes, it was my woodwork teacher as I recall. That's probably why I've been flying a desk all these years. Back to the day job then.
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