Our dear friend, Sam in Tokyo sent us an old Japanese saying for December:
He explained:
I feel the pressure. I do. I printed out our New Years newsletter which I will send to those people who are not technologically inclined. To those friends and relatives who are, I send an electronic copy along with a longer, personal message.
There are gifts that need to be bought, packages to be mailed, the tree to put up, our Christmas/holiday dinner to plan, windows to be cleaned, but somehow I just haven't been able to get started. And yes... there is the house to clean, projects to finish. So why can't I get going? It's like I'm shrouded in lethargy.
Sigh... I'm looking around me and I'm seeing a lot of dust.
Excuse me while I go look for that dust cloth.
師走
He explained:
"The first Kanji character Shi literally means Teacher. Together it reads Shiwasu. Shi means Teacher and Wasu means Run.
Although it does say teachers, it's meant to represent everybody. Not only teachers, but almost every adult has to run in order to get things done before the year ends.
As you know, almost everybody working at home, office or manufacturing plant needs to finish up certain assignments by the end of the year.For instance, men have to clean up the house inside and outside along with their wives. With the coming of “A New Year” we are supposed to clean all the dust and dirt accumulated this year. This is the reason everybody must run to finish up whatever is left over. Even at the temple, Buddhist monks must clean the inside and outside of the temples to welcome a fresh new year."
I feel the pressure. I do. I printed out our New Years newsletter which I will send to those people who are not technologically inclined. To those friends and relatives who are, I send an electronic copy along with a longer, personal message.
There are gifts that need to be bought, packages to be mailed, the tree to put up, our Christmas/holiday dinner to plan, windows to be cleaned, but somehow I just haven't been able to get started. And yes... there is the house to clean, projects to finish. So why can't I get going? It's like I'm shrouded in lethargy.
Sigh... I'm looking around me and I'm seeing a lot of dust.
Excuse me while I go look for that dust cloth.
Why do you send a Christmas letter when you only need to send everyone a link to your blog and they can really catch up on your year?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Granny Annie!
ReplyDeletePhew, think I will go back to bed now, that made me tired. Love the idea of the men helping however. Way to go Art.
ReplyDeleteYour blog does indeed tell the complete tale of your life over the past year, Kay. I know more about what YOU did than what I did! :-)
ReplyDeleteawww, don't worry Kay, something will spark you and if you choose to go through this holiday season a little subdued there is no harm in that, don't push, maybe you're just tired, I enjoy very much all you teach us here, I need to dust as well!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely tradition but I am right where you are. And Kay, you do just great! Keeping us all happy out here with all your wonderful posts, now that is quite an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteI hate dust and it accumulates here in the desert every time the wind blows...I just ignore it but it is time!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, dust keeps until you get to it. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteyes, I feel the same way. Housework is so boring, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe is why I had a whole bunch of cards made up of my paintings and from the Humane Society of me and my dog along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. I have enough cards to last for quite a while. Too many, actually, but in my new life I call all the shots. Before, we would always run everything past each other and since we weren't conflictual, Helen's input was very valuable. So, I would have made half as many cards and spent half as much money.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just told another blog that I'm slow to get down to business these days and inertia rules. I feel the need for an end-of-the-year tidying up. The not-so secret truth is that I like things this way. As a retired teacher, to me "TEACHER" and "RUNS" are at odds with each other. I'd rather read anyway. Of course, one could say that the characters for TEACHER RUNS are creative tension.
I could understand any delay to start dusting! Get a move on there Kay! I'm sure you'll get it all done just kidding!
ReplyDeleteSo much to do and I have begun earlier this year. I waited so long last year we had no tree. This year I have three little trees in three rooms. So no matter where we walk we are greeted with colorful lights. Dianne
ReplyDeleteI got a jump on the holidays with so much time after the early Thanksgiving. My running is slowing down to a trot.
ReplyDeleteTry playing a couple of jumpy holiday tunes. That seems to get me going about this time every year. Judging by the high quality of your blog, you're really not going to have a lot of trouble getting all the jobs done. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteAwww... Thank you, Dick. You've just made my day.
DeleteI should make a check list then maybe things will get done right here too. The tree is done and the presents bought but not wrapped. A party is planned....this might be fun. Friends will visit on other days.
ReplyDeleteThe difference here is that I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency. Now I take my vitamine D and don't doze my days away. Maybe too, you don't need a fancy holiday. :) Hugs.
LOL
ReplyDelete