Saturday, December 20, 2008

December is the Cruelest Month

Yearning to Escape

Actually T.S. Eliot said it was April, but I beg to differ. Tomorrow I leave Chicago for a much needed vacation. I'm not fleeing the snow as some might assume, I'm fleeing my job. December is the month of depression, spiritual and moral crises and physical decline. I need a break from morbidity and morbidness. I need to go where no one needs me for more than a load of wash done from time to time.
Mind you, I love my work. Honestly. But I feel drained and need my moment of replenishment. My husband feels I'm somehow addicted to vacation but he doesn't have my job.
Doing my "drive-by" photography I can turn my brain off except for scanning the scene for a good photo or an unsafe situation. Yesterday, I picked up, I humbly hope, a few good photos. I missed one of a new bird for my life list. I saw my first Kingfisher! He flew before I could cautiously park my car and gingerly climb through the piles of snow. I also saw a car go into a 360 degree spin on the highway. Fortunately no one, including myself was hurt! That was a moment to remember.
The days are going to be getting longer. Three cheers for the solstice. If I ever invent a new religion it will have to involve sun worship and long jaunts to tropical islands.

4 comments:

p said...

great picture, tod and i ooohed and ahhed
and as far as the kingfisher, never heard of it! keep looking for one to shoot.
have a good vacation lucky duck.

A Free Man said...

I don't know how you do the job that you do. I have a couple of friends in your line of work and it seems that they take far too much onto their shoulders. Hope that you have time to clear yours.

Larry said...

Congratulations on the Kingfisher! I've seen many but failed at every attempt to get a good picture of one.-Very cool looking birds though! I know how much mental energy it can take to stay positive about work-especially if you give it your best.It can be very draining.I'm sure even more so in your line of work.

restoration42 said...

I also love my job (school social worker) but am SO grateful and needful of vacations by the time they arrive. And yes, December is always one of the most intense months.
-Cherie