Today I am hurkle-durkleing….
This past weekend I moved my daughter from South Carolina to Baltimore, Maryland. She finally got her dream job out of college- She will be writing for Johns Hopkins for their marketing and communications department. I am both happy and sad. Happy for her and all that awaits her in this new city and new job and a bit sad that she will not live with me anymore.
Friday I drove a 15-foot UHaul with all of her things (and cats) the nine hours up to her new apartment on the Baltimore harbor. And then since we Swann women are badasses, we unloaded the entire truck ourselves that night. At 11pm neighbors on the street could have heard us yelling, “Pivot! Pivot!” as we lugged her sectional sofa up the back deck stairs and into her living room.
We cried. We laughed. We played fun music and a few sad songs too. I didn’t want to leave. Another child has flown the nest.
I flew home on Sunday to my son who had fallen rock climbing and needed to see a doctor for an xray. (he is fine btw, no broken ankle) Monday I hit the ground running as usual. I needed to finish a painting and spent the day in the studio. Then yesterday I was teaching, working out and cleaning my apartment back to its original state before my daughter was living here for the last 8 months after she graduated from college.
I am exhausted.
So I am declaring a hurkle-durkle day.
It is a 200-year old Scottish word meaning to lounge around in bed long after it is time to get up. I am turning off my phone, ignoring my computer, finding a book and I will try to ignore my loft and laundry. I will try to do nothing more strenuous than making tea. Laying around is not in my nature. My kids are always yelling at me to just sit and enjoy a movie for longer than 15 minutes. I am not sure why, but it is so hard! My mom was the same way. I love my bed. Time to appreciate it. I have tons of paintings hanging above it from a lot of artist friends and of course, my favorite mug with the word ” Phoenix” on it.
So next week I will be back to artsy wisdom. But rest is important to creativity and I need to get refueled- so right now I am taking a nap….
Hi Christine
I relate to your world in so many ways and certainly of my kids saying I have “ants in my paints” because I cannot lay around.
Thank you for all you do to contribute your positively and beauty in the art world.
PS i am signing up for your workshop when you are here in CT.
Love Karen
👍❤️😀
Since retirement I have a hurkle-durkle a few times a week! Probably because I often stay up way too late if I’m involved in a project — like 3:30 am!
Me too!! As a retired teacher who is a life-long night owl I see hurkle-durkling as a reward I’ve earned!! 😊
Amen!
Oh Christine ,
You are the right kind of women ! Congratulations to your daughter! Sounds like my life !moving family to idaho . First my parents then my brother . My other Brother Mel , loves Baltimore . He’s an English professor a good one ! he’s been teaching at the university for awhile now . He’s a gotten two sail boats .. never married but has a wonderful relationship with Kim .. who doesn’t want to be married. Lots to do in that city .. You enjoy some down time. It’s ok to have jammies on all day once a week ..
Hugs
Renee
I’m so proud of you, Kippy ☺️!!!
So much so that I have yet to get out of bed today!
Enjoy, darlin’ 💕 You so deserve!
I certainly can relate to your story. Thank you for sharing the whole journey that you are experiencing as an artist but also the family dynamic, being a mom that also has a deep impact on that process.
Im a pro at hurkle -durkleing!
I love this blog. Hope you enjoy the day like thus at the very least once a week. Good refueling.
I’m glad your hurkle-durkle includes Louise Penny! Enjoy the well earned rest!
Inner Harbor is one of my family’s favorite places to visit. She must get acquainted with the American Visionary Art Museum, across from the Rusty Scupper (and perhaps get an annual pass). Miss Shirley’s on Pratt Street is a must for breakfast/brunch/lunch.
https://www.avam.org/
https://www.missshirleys.com/locations/main-locations/inner-harbor
https://www.rusty-scupper.com/
I can envision this whole scenario.
Happy for your daughter, sad for you.
But I’m sure she’ll be as productive, effective and curious as her Mom.
Get some rest 😪
Christine,
I too have helped move kids. After that you deserve a rest. Enjoy your little vacation.
I knew there was a reason why I like the Scottish folks so much! Only they could come up with hurkle durkle… Hurkle durkle to your heart’s content, Christine! 🙂
You never cease to amaze me, Christine! After all that you certainly deserve a day of rest and relaxation! Enjoy to the fullest!!!!
Christine, your bed is beautiful!! And I too love Louise Penny. You definitely deserve a hurkle-durkle day or even two!
Ah! A good bed is the best! Once I left my lying, cheating husband I bought the most expensive mattress I could find!
I am so happy to learn that your daughter got her dream job and a beautiful place to live. Great work supporting her move, her goals, and her talents! Transitions are hard. Thanks for posting!
You bet! Yes, if our kids are happy, we are happy!
Applaud your hurkle durkle! Can relate, as we just decluttered, downsized and moved. Exhausting! Have a twitch in one eye that won’t go away. Self-care, rest and going to the easel when I’m feeling good. It’s ok to rest. We live in such a demanding world…be productive or you’re not admired. Feel that a break is very necessary for creativity, now & then. It’s restorative! Enjoy.
Amen! Oh and that twitch? Its a lack of potassiam, magnesium and folate sometimes helps. I get it too. Works like a charm.