I've always loved the title of John Steinbeck's last novel published while he was alive. The Winter of Our Discontent. The tile comes from a line from Richard III by William Shakespeare: "Now is the winter of our discontent discontent made glorious summer by this son of York."
I read the novel years ago. Came away from it depressed. Not a book that I ever want to read again, but I do love the title.
Particularly these days.
I started 2011 with such high goals and hopes. Instead I got sick right off and lost nearly three weeks to the flu. Since then I've floundered. Still not over the effects of my illness, I'm tired all the time. The days are gray and long. I watch too much TV and read as many books as I can. Escapism in its purest form. I meander from one project to another, not making true progress on any of them. Too much of this could bring me down to the point that I couldn't make my way back up.
However, this week has been better. I was able to walk at the gym Monday and today and hope to walk tomorrow. I've slowly cleared my desk of my bills and sorted out my budget. I'm in the muddle of Murder by the Acre, but have faith my subconscious is working furiously to write our way out. The job situation is unchanged, but I know -- I KNOW -- that each rejection is one step closer to a job. Or self employment. (Or starvation. Except I won't starve. I'll move with one of my friends and leech off them. Don't tell them.)
And today the sun gave us a wonderful taste of spring. Not that winter is done with us yet -- there's an Arctic blast heading our way and should hit Monday -- but I appreciate the sunshine now.
I guess the weather is as good a metaphor for the creative life as any. Sometimes the skies are bright and the words flow and the projects sing, and other times you have to stumble away through the fog and survive the storms. It's not easy, and we lose our way occasionally. I do know, however, that if we keep on working at it, if we continue to pursue our artistic vision, eventually we will step out into the sunshine again. Or is that too hokey?
I don't think so. I like it. It works for me. What works for you?
5 comments:
Mostly, I just keep plugging away, even if it's just one word, one step. Sooner or later something will break through.
Hang in there. {{huggs}}
The sun will come out! Tomorrow! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow! There'll be sun!
(Hee hee, now your biggest problem today will be getting that daggone song out of your head!)
That's a wonderful title, isn't it? But it's almost guaranteed to be a depressing book. I confess, I haven't read that one yet. I have enjoyed a couple of Steinbeck titles, but they are typically not particularly upbeat.
Weather as a metaphor for life. Too true.
The Arctic Blast is slated to hit here on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's a good day to make chili, I think -- probably Wednesday.
The doctor's office called this morning and confirmed that the biopsies taken on the polyps the doc removed last week are benign. I won't have to do the test for another ten years.
Thanks, Tammy!
Wendy, I actually like that song! I'm going to have to download from iTunes. I'll make an MP3 of me singing it and send to you ... :)
JEAN! Congrats on the good results from the doctor. I had been worrying about that. Awesome. Isn't the sun and warmth great today? Or is it reaching that far down? It's 72 degrees here. Glorious, glorious, glorious day! One thing I've noticed about Steinbeck is how many times suicide figures into his books. He saw it as a viable choice, I feel. Of course, as an Oklahoman, I'm not supposed to like Grapes of Wrath or any of his other books, but "Travels with Charley" is an excellent travel book.
The thermometer says 74, but earlier, it was 70. It's been a downright lovely day here. After the morning chill burned off, we put up scaffolding on the front of the house to caulk in preparation for the next coat of primer. Sometime over the next two weeks, we should get a little more done on that as weather permits.
I'm reading Dixie Noir by Kirk Curnutt -- a former grad school professor of mine that I've kept in touch with. He's a touch literary, but I like his voice. The book's been in my TBR pile, and I've decided to read it. I think this is his third novel, and the voice is getting better.
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