Blog archive
May 2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Doin’ Nothin’
By Karen BagnardPosted: 06/05/2022
Doin’ Nothin’
by
Kären Bagnard
Is it okay… doin’ nothin’? I’m doin’ nothin’ and still, at age 77, wondering if it’s okay. How can that be? Are we so trained to be productive at every moment that we have a hard time just being still… just being?
If it’s a holiday weekend it surely must be okay. It’s not the actual holiday but it’s just a day away. It’s a weekend. Isn’t it okay to do nothin’ on a weekend?
I sat on my front porch with my mid-morning cup of coffee and enjoyed the cool shade, the sounds of the birds in the trees, the lush green of my garden, the opening irises and the blossoms on the small Palo Verde tree that the county planted in my front yard. My cat, Madge, came out the front door to join me. She’s afraid of the street and cars but, up on the porch with me, she feels safe and purrs when I scratch her chin.
Later, after working on a painting, I sat in my patio swing and enjoyed the rocking motion of the swing and the sounds in the park nearby and a few sounds from neighbors’ yards. The trees rustled in the breeze and I listened to the music floating out my windows and slider. Navajo flutes, Gregorian chants, Tibetan singing bowls blending with the birds’ calls.
The watering of the trees and shrubs in the backyard brought me to the park bench at the far back of the property. Again, I sat and did nothin’. I looked at my house from a different perspective and it made me feel happy. Madge stepped carefully through the sparse, unwatered lawn to reach me. It must seem like a long way from home to her. She only goes back now when I’m out there. She’s old and stays inside more and stays closer to me when we are outside. I adore my little black companion with her grey face!
When I’m doin’ nothin’ I’m often dreaming and wondering, too. I wonder how I look to that crow high up in the pine tree. Does he wonder what kind of a bird I am? Does he see Madge as a tasty morsel?
I dream about parties and get-togethers I want to have. I look at my empty patio and remember the many times it has been full of chattering friends and family and kids running around. I reminisce about the Halloween parties my kids had here or the birthday parties. I chuckle at myself remembering the wedding rehearsal dinner I hosted for Anna and Francis. I was a nervous wreck but it all turned out so well… thanks to Grampa Joe taking charge of grilling the chicken! I realize now that the wine I chose was all wrong but I also know that it’s the people that “make” the party, not the wine or the decorations or anything else. If you haven’t learned that by age 77, you are way behind!
Doin’ nothin’ gives me the chance to explore my imagination for new ways to create art. I envision bold lines, bright colors, interesting textures and maybe a few sparkles. I envision my patio fence covered with interesting paintings. I imagine myself free of the fear of not being able to be an artist anymore. I hear that inner voice telling me, “just do it!”
I’m back in the swing again, doin’ nothin’ except savoring the memory of the friends I had dinner with last night… such good friends. They feel like family to me… maybe even better than family. I’m aware of the sadness in the world but I am also aware of the goodness in the world. Right now, while I’m doin’ nothin’, I’m also counting my blessings.
Yes, I’ve decided that doin’ nothin’ is a very good thing. This is when we actually pay attention to all the riches in our lives and all the joys and all the choices we can make to bring more of the good stuff into our lives. Doin’ nothin’ is great to do with music or a cup of coffee or tea or with your cat. Doin’ nothin’ allows you to dream, savor, enjoy and count blessings.