As a little girl, a favorite chore of mine was erasing and washing the chalkboards at the end of each school week. With a big bucket of cold water and a fat sponge, I could wash away all the math problems, diagrammed sentences, drawn-out music scores, lists of spelling words… On Fridays the green slate was wiped clean, the last chore of the school week. Signaling the beginning of two days of freedom. I loved Fridays!
As a working adult, I also loved Fridays — to re-gather my energies! To rest in the alternate-routine of ball games or hikes or bike rides or short day-trips with my family. I ran with my girls, played tennis while they swam the last warm days of summer, sketched them if they were still enough, or just sat quietly with a great book. Fridays still signaled freedom, to just be…
Over time the schedule has reversed itself. The weekends are activity-filled, fast and often noisy. And while I love what we choose to do, I look toward Mondays as new beginnings.
Today is Monday. Long early shadows steadily give up space for patches of sun. The air is clear, crisp, easy to breathe. Quiet.
And I have a whole week ahead of me. Brand new. The slate’s wiped clean for new projects, with hope of finishing a couple of them before the hectic weekend of activities returns. I like the quiet time — I think better in the quiet.
I’m in a class — again — and the assignment was to paint the fall. Here at home the greens are still green, though you can see and feel and hear the dry colors. A few leaves crunch underfoot…
I did what was asked in class — painted the fall colors, in digital watercolors.
Do you have a day of the week you look forward to more than others? Or maybe you just love autumn, and every day is special?
I’m brewing Italian Roast today — help yourself. There are tea bags if you prefer… 
Barb
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Today is my favorite day. Yes, it has changed over time. In 1971 I was in an airplane crash. every day since then has been a gift.
Today is my favorite day. At my age there may not be a tomorrow. I live for today.
Carol
That is beautiful, Carol. Thank you for reminding me not to take any of life for granted.
hi barb,
My favorite day is Tuesday. It doesn’t have the rush of Monday, and I still know there’s plenty of time to get everything done (at least I let myself think that).
Awhile ago I learned that Tuesday was my daughter’s least favorite day…she said “it just is plain with no status.” Her favorite day is Wednesdays. She said if Wednesday had eyes, it could look both ways and see everything.
Laura
Any day that I find a measure of peace, joy and just plain feel like I’m an okay person, that’s my favorite day. Those days are quite rare so I treasure them when they come along
Anita
Any day that I can spend with one or more of my children, grandchildren or great grandchildren in my favorite day. Love holidays when we are all together.
Gloria
Barb, I hope you don’t mind that I reply to Carol . . .
Carol, I so know what you mean, and agree with you. For me, it was a very nasty auto accident in 2002; hubby was following me in his car and saw the whole thing. The next morning, we reset our priorities. I can’t say we never put off anything until tomorrow, but we do try to make every day count.
Patricia
Your responses are so up-lifting. I have quoted all of you to my husband, saying you’ve made me think deeper. Amazing what trauma can do for your outlook…
I was the only passenger in a twin engine plane my husband flew through a blinding storm, and he was not instrument-rated. The control tower at the Pittsburgh International Airport couldn’t find us on their radar, and we were flying back to our home town on Lake Erie. We hoped.
I glued my mouth shut and prayed, but I truly felt we were going down.
Obviously we made it — my husband has a cool head and, while not rated for instruments, knew enough to keep the plane level until we passed the storm.
I don’t take life for granted either.
Thank you for reminding me!
And no, Patricia, of course I don’t mind.
This is a good discussion…
Barb
Barb
Love that painting…
Mine would be sunday for sure, for sleeping late!
Isn’t it sad that it often takes a catastrophe to stop and reprioritize our lives. We can get so caught up in the busy-ness of our lives. Looking over everyone’s comments there are two themes: first the day that we feel alive and whatever day that we feel that we can rest and regroup. For me, it is a day where I can have the energy to interact with others.
The one day I don’t like is Sunday. I love the weekends, especially the ones where we have no plans and I can “catch up” but I never feel like I have caught up enough so each Sunday I get this feeling of dread as I try to wrap up so I can go back to work. I used to work 4 days a week and the day I didn’t go into the office was Mondays. -Karey