Skip to main content

Heat Stroke, 2014

Today was a double-whammy weather day: High heat index (>100), plus we were put on ozone-alertness. I was very alert to ozone. I saw it here; I saw it there; I saw, I saw it everywhere. As always when the temps exceed 90, I slogged into the bedroom, dropping clothes, bags, etc, as I walked. After putting away a few things, I began this internal dialog:

 ME: You know what I'd love to throw on right now? A house dress.
 INNER ME: (pause) What?
 ME: Yeah, you know, one of those loose, cotton dresses -- sleeveless, underwear optional, but definitely no bra.
 IM: I know what that is. Why would you..
 ME: I'm hot, tired, and I need to loosen the air around my bod.
 IM: Eww
 ME: Really, right now, this is so appealing, only I don't own one of these. Maybe I need to hunt one down this weekend.
 IM: No. You don't.
 ME: What's the big deal? My comfort is important, right? In the privacy of my own home, I should be able to wear this.
 IM: You do have to live with yourself. You know that.
 ME: Come on, stop resisting. Who am I hurting by wearing one?
 IM: Have you stopped to picture yourself in one of those dresses? I mean really picture yourself? 
ME: Well, not really.
 IM: Who was the last person you saw wearing one of those? 
ME: Well, probably my grandmother.
 IM: How old was she?
 ME: I dunno, probably about 85 or so.
 IM: So your mom didn't wear one. Why do you think she didn't?
 ME: Well, she was pretty particular about the way she looked.
 IM: Even when no one was around? Even in the summer?
 ME: Well, yeah.
 IM: So picture this: You throw on one of those "house dresses." You go about your business. Then you see your reflection in a mirror. Are you happy, contented, or deeply remorseful?
 ME: (pause) sddmeosnfshw..sfes.esddw...
 IM: Speak up. I can't hear you.
 ME: I think I would hate myself with a dark, deep, angry, vicious self-loathing that I haven't felt since middle school.
 IM: Good. I think you get it.
 ME: So what? I put on my old loose sweats with a tank top?
 IM: Not pretty, but you can handle the mirror with that outfit.
 ME: I hate you.
 IM: Yeah, I know.

Comments

  1. erinSeptember 11, 2014 at 11:49 PM

    Your daughter owns two house dresses btw.

    (They're just loose cotton stretchy dresses, but I do own them and I do wear them. I even wear one for exercising sometimes.)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Like-Hate-Hate Relationship with Dave Ramsey

I cannot go to sleep in silence, so I usually have talk radio on as I drift off. Most times, the cadence of the talking head becomes the white noise I need. But sometimes I actually listen to the conversations. As much as I hope for Clark Howard, Dave Ramsey happens to be the head that's talking when I go to bed. Gradually, I became aware of his philosophies. He has many, but I'll focus on just a few: 1) Get Rid of All Debt - I really like this one. As someone who wants the points my credit card awards, or the cashback my other credit card awards, I feel like I'm always a month behind. I pay off my balance in full each month, but by then of course, I have lowered my bank account and have less to spend in the current month. I do wonder what it would feel like to pay just the bills for my current living expenses. I plan to give it a go, but I won't buy Ramsay's book or go to Financial Peace University. "Where debt is dumb, cash is king, and the paid off mortgag
1 comment
Read more

The Broad

The Broad , a wonderful art museum in DTLA, is free. Before yesterday, I've been only twice since I've lived in California, both times with others. It's nice to be with friends or family but I think it short-changes one from fully exploring a museum or for that matter any space where beauty & creativity are present. So yesterday I went out on my own, using my newly-acquired Senior Metro Pass which allows me to ride the bus or train for only $.35 each way. I am unfamiliar with the downtown area, but thanks to Google Maps, I could easily figure out which way to walk once I left the train station. Guess in which direction I had to go? Answer: UP and UP! The short walk (about 5-6 blocks) included about 4 which took me waaay up a steep hill that has "hill" in its name, Bunker Hill. Nothing could have informed me how out-of-shape I was more than the fact that I needed to stop twice in that trek. Whew! There is a funicular (yes) that traverses Bunker Hill. It was f
Post a Comment
Read more

Bringing in 2019

Personally, 2018 was a great year. My sweet little grandson was born in March, a niece in June, and a nephew in October. Those milestones alone made the year a banner one. I had the good fortune to meet new friends who I believe will be lifelong ones. I went places, saw things, drove in and around Los Angeles, and found new recipes that appease both my taste buds and my aversion to meats. Huntington Library and Gardens Craft and Folk Art Museum Descanso Gardens Museum of Natural History Rancho Los Alamitos  (Maxine, Vivi, and Glenda) To welcome in the new year, I went with a couple of friends to the Lake Shrine Self-Realization ashram where we meditated and chanted while 2018 left & 2019 arrived. It was a peaceful, quiet way for a community to come together as one in unity and peace. For sure, it was the best way to spend New Year's Eve. Lake Shrine There was much to celebrate in 2018, and a lot more to look forward to in 2019. Wishing everyo
Post a Comment
Read more