Time flies

Older Daughter just observed how all the stores are already being stocked with Halloween items. That's why this meme made me laugh.

So what did you do on 2/22/22 2:22:22??

Many years ago, I posted a quasi-comical question: So what did you do on 11/11/11 11:11:11?? That's because it was November 11, 2011, a day full of "ones."

So here we are, eleven years later, and it's a day full of "twos." It's even "2sday."

We have no particular plans for this auspicious date except to hunker down indoors because we're in the midst of a brief cold snap. Don plans to make some sourdough bread. I'll make meatballs for dinner. We'll both work on writing projects.

It's times like this we're beyond grateful for our wood cookstove.

So what did you do on 2/22/22 2:22:22??

Late or early?

Are you someone who is chronically late? Or are you someone who always arrives on time or even early?

We all know those annoying people who insist on rushing out of the house because they're obsessed with punctuality. Similarly, we all know those annoying people who are chronically late for any and all appointments.

So what gives? What makes someone obsessively punctual or habitually tardy?

A recent article in The Guardian entitled "Beat the Clock: The Surprising Psychology Behind Being Perpetually Late" didn't offer much by way of explanation. "There are probably as many reasons for unpunctuality as there are habitually late people," the article begins, and covers such possible motives as early childhood training, passive-aggression, a feeling of unworthiness, a reluctance to change gears, a sunny and optimistic disposition, or a sociable nature that enjoys chatting with anyone with whom they cross paths (thus making them late).

Those who are rigidly punctual in their behavior have been termed the "uptighterati" and "schedule obsessives." Such people are often counseled to slow down, dude. The author of this article describes herself "as an early person with my own set of neuroses" for whom being late would make her "ill with anxiety."

In another article (by a different author), the writer found herself in the casual professional atmosphere of Brazil, where the concept of timeliness was far more fluid. This came as a culture shock in more ways than one. "To members of the Uptighterati, like me, it’s almost impossible not to interpret the Brazilian attitude to time as a form of laxness, however enviable. But that judgment masks an unexamined assumption that punctuality is obviously the only meaningful temporal standard, which different cultures observe or ignore to differing degrees."

This author says "there’s something odd about the punctuality principle, which involves first mentally conjuring an abstract timeline, then trying to make reality conform to it. The alternative – often mistaken for slacking – is what scholars call 'task orientation' ... in which the rhythms of life emerge from life’s activities themselves. It’s less that Brazilians are failing to abide by a timetable, than that they’re successfully abiding by something else."

Here in the Lewis household, we tend to fall on the side of the "uptighterati" spectrum -- but that's only if we have someplace to go, which we often don't. When we're at home, working at our own pace and our own schedule, we're definitely in the laid-back camp.

Perhaps that's why I've always liked the old story about the successful businessman, vacationing in a foreign fishing village, who starts lecturing a younger local man on the secret of success. Instead of whiling his life away fishing and drinking and playing music with his friends -- the businessman says -- he should expand his fishing operation, hire employees, make millions, then eventually retire‚ so he can spend his days fishing, drinking and playing music with friends.

So what end of the spectrum do you hit? Are you early or late? And what's your logic/reasoning/motive behind it?

Time management

I received the following email from a reader. It addresses a pressing issue for many people: time management, especially for women employed outside the home.

(Please see the UPDATE at the end of her email.)
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The question:

I'm a fairly new reader to your Rural Revolution blog. I have a problem (LOL, don't we all?). My DH and I live in a moderate home. He receives Social Security disability, and I am still working (although I've reached the Great Age of 62 now)... I do work full time and it's not by choice, really.

Having said that, we are trying to prepare for what's possibly ahead, do more for ourselves, etc. We have a small garden and get a pretty nice amount of veggies and herbs, considering the size of the garden. I do cook from scratch, I sew, etc.

I WANT to make our bread every week (or twice weekly). I WANT to invest more time in the garden, try to stretch the seasons a bit (and yes, that will take a bit of money too). I NEED to sew more, I need clothing, the furniture needs some covers, etc (and yes I have material already). I NEED to be more proactive about putting up our garden goodies.

But where does the time come from? As it is, I don't have time to shop garage sales, and really don't have spare money either. I don't watch TV for hours a day. We have "fun" activities like DH's tai chi class, a spiritual group that meets once or twice a week. My sewing is sometimes "fun" and sometimes "necessary". We don't have children, it's just us two. I work 3 to 11, and need to "decompress" (quietly) after work before heading to bed.

I WANT and NEED to do the things above, but where do I find time???????

I sure could use some help here. Thanks for any ideas.

UPDATE: This reader added the following in a later email: The only thing that I might want to note is about my husband (and I didn't think to put it in the first email). Yes, he's disabled, BUT we have a great arrangement. He does all the housekeeping except cooking, dishes, and laundry, and he is the primary garden person (tilling, mulching, weeding, some planting and most of the harvesting) and lawn care person. He even cleans toilets! (He can hardly cook and despises dishwashing.) I didn't intend to give the impression that he wasn't doing a great deal of work here. He does....a LOT.....for which I am very grateful!

My reply:

A lot of the reason I have the "time" to do the things I do is because I don't work outside the home. Therein is part of your time issue. Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your need to work; I'm just saying it will by default limit what you can do otherwise. We work long hours on our woodcraft business, but those hours are flexible -- which allows me the time to do other things such as gardening, dairy production, writing, etc.
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I asked permission to post this reader's email on the blog and open up the topic for discussion, figuring many heads are better than one. Since I no longer work outside the home, my advice would be limited. But others may have more experience in juggling multiple obligations and interests. So...give her your best shot!