Monday, March 17, 2014

Gambling for Approval



St Patrick’s Day 2014!

Cashing-in “Do Over” chips. I get to start all over today. You can as well. You have my permission. Today is a new day. All of the worries, challenges, obsessive thinking from yesterday is wiped-out, deleted, and we begin anew. The fresh flurries turn me into a Debbie Downer (sorry if your name happens to be Deborah.)

Skiddish Donut (the darling Bassett/Beagle from upstairs) is here again, zig-zagging all over the duplex, working out where she is supposed to be in the semi-familiar place. It is always interesting to witness her, discovering the routine, sideswiping the grumpy cat, who sits above, high on a table, watching her every move.

We guests are all like that, reorganizing our brain to wake at different times. The eating and “going outside” routine is not on our normal schedule. We follow the lead, eager to please, attempt to communicate how uncomfortable we are when we don’t know our place or the hierarchy of the community. We try not to interfere, get in the way, voice our needs or wishes too loudly, for fear of stepping out of line. Those who adapt more readily are acknowledged, whining is frequently frowned upon, and quitters not asked to return. We express gratitude with the best of our ability and pitch-in without asking. We sleep where we are told, don’t apologize for not gobbling the food, like the others, fake excitement when those around us are beside themselves for no apparent reason, and sit upon command. Seven days of this might set us over the edge.

I might have to produce more chips to cash-in for tomorrow. There is urine on the carpet.  

No comments:

Post a Comment