I Forgot To Show Up!
Well, Nicholas, I just learned that I forgot to go to a long-planned lunch-on-a-porch today with four dear friends. I forgot to show up. I am disappointed and berating myself. And of course wondering if I’ve gotten a step flakier than I want to be.
This group has been brunching and lunching since the early ’70s. The restaurant where we were to meet–Mama Dip’s, a Chapel Hill landmark– is selling its building. One of our number is already missing and another is packing to move. So this was a big-deal lunch.
More than twenty years ago
I’m more upset about missing it than I am about possible cognitive impairment. I mainly (at 74) forget occasionally the name of an actor or title of a book. Now and then it takes me several minutes to pull up the first and last name of an acquaintance. Not too bad. But I don’t want to increase the area of forgetfulness.
Forgetting to go to a landmark lunch does not mean I’m “losing it.” I know that’s true. But still…one likes to have a 100% grip on the work and social schedule. Reasons I forgot:
*working at home as I do now I’ve become slack about office-y things like looking at my calendar
*since the start of covid shutdown, I have far fewer outside commitments and being at home seems the norm
*on Monday, I have a new novel coming out,, My Life On Earth And Elsewhere, a delightful fantasy I began writing 43 years ago. Right now this novel has me in its possession. Has me, in fact, in an outright tizzy.
(I’ve done this book thing before and it has never gotten to me like this. Puzzling!)
So I have excuses. And a resolution: Henceforth, I will check my calendar every day. Also, will enter appointments as soon as I make them. Now that’s taken care of.
Now I mainly have to grapple with disappointment at not being there. And being mad at myself. This will likely take longer.
Peggy
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: being mad at myself, check my calendar, cognitive impairment, dear friends, excuses, fewer outside commitments, forgot to show up, grapple with disappointment, looking at my calendar, Mama Dip's, new novel coming out, working at home
Comments
Unlike my brilliant classmate Benny female in elementary I was lousy at history
Married person I am helpless with the daily mail
In my case age 78 I have learned to rely entirely on spouse of 55 years plus to manage these weaknesses of mine
Especially my Social calendar which she maintains on paper 2 different levels in our residence
That’s how my husband does it, too,Bob. He calls me “the family historian.” So your wife and I need to hold it together. Good idea she has keeping the info on two different floors.
We still love and we understand!!
From one of the gang of 5!!
Thank you, Tam! I feared I might have hurt people’s feeling, for one thing.
At least you didn’t forget to renew your drivers license (for 3 years!). Talk about losing it…
LOL
Did you get in any legal trouble, kenju?
Not that I am aware of. I had a great driving record, so that helps, and I aced the licence exam and although my car didn’t pass inspection the first time – I had it repaired and it passed this time, so I paid my fees/taxes online today – only two days before expiration.
I think you’d be aware. I had to go to court once over an expired license plate. I’m glad you and your car are now legal.
Thanks. I am happy to be in the good graces of the great state of NC once again
Sorry you missed seeing your friends, Peggy. If they’re people you don’t see often, that would be a disappointment for sure.
Thanks, Lee. I loved seeing your Norway pictures. It really brought back our time there.
Well you’re lucky to live in a community where not showing up is a rare thing. During my nine years in Los Angeles I learned that what I was told on my arrival was very true: “You can’t spell ‘flake’ without ‘L’ and ‘A’.”
Now I’m trying to decide if living among many flakes would be more or less comfortable for me. Less, I think. You’re glad to be back in New York?
Hi Peggy, I have a new BFF. It’s my oven timer.
Fortunately for me, I’m paranoid about noting appointments, webinars, online meetings, etc. on my wall calendar, and then checking my calendar daily. Now I’ve taken to setting my timer in the AM after I’ve checked the calendar. I’ve set it to as much as 9 hours ahead when I have an afternoon something-or-other to remember. When the timer goes off I once again go to the calendar to see where I’m supposed to be very soon. Sigh….
Wow, you are impressively organized, Pat. I’ll bet you never miss anything. I missed turning off my hot comb this morning, left it cooking for a few hours in the bathroom. Not sure what strategy to use to deal with that kind of forgetting.
I’m with you on that one, Peggy: no brilliant or not-so-brilliant response! All I can offer is to say that I’m pretty sure you’re not the first (or the oldest) gal to forget to turn off a hot comb! Hang in there and be kind to yourself.
Excellent advice, Pat! I’ll see if I can do that. Thank you.