I just awoke from the most glorious night's sleep. I must have really needed it, because I woke up about 5 a.m. and thought, "Oh, it's break, I don't need to get up now!" And then I fell back asleep and slept soundly another two hours -- and let me tell you, that two hours made a huge difference.
So yes, it's break. Woo hoo! Yesterday was busier than I expected it to be, with several visiting classes and lots of last-minute checkouts. I got a bottle of wine from the head librarian, which I thought was very kind considering I kvetch about her regularly. I really need to just grow up and not be such a whiny baby. I also chatted with a couple of co-workers who are leaving either now or in mid-January, having take the buyout as I did. One woman asked me if I'd had any second thoughts and I told her none at all. "Me either!" she said. "People keep asking me what I'm going to do, and I tell them, I'm going to museums!" Pretty much my plan too.
I compiled the database stats for November and worked a short shift in the Lower School library, and then left work about 2 p.m. I walked home and spent the afternoon reading. Dave was at a doctor's appointment so it was a good time to catch up on blogs and continue working my way through "All the Colours of the Dark," which I'm enjoying but which is HUGE (576 pages hardback). I'd like to have it done by Saturday so I don't have to take it to Florida.
I found this funny graffiti on Finchley Road. According to Wikipedia, the Green Man is "a motif in architecture and art, of a face made of, or completely surrounded by, foliage, which normally spreads out from the centre of the face. Apart from a purely decorative function, the Green Man is primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, representing the cycle of new growth that occurs every spring."
There is also a folkloric Green Man: "By at least the 16th century the term 'green man' was used in England for a man who was covered in leaves [and] foliage including moss as part of a pageant, parade or ritual." This evolved into a sort of pagan figure, though the roots and significance of the Green Man in that context are debated. There are lots of pubs called "The Green Man."
I'm not sure which type of Green Man we're loving, here. Could be any or all of them, I guess.
(Top photo: Our white hellebores, blooming away!)
There is also a folkloric Green Man: "By at least the 16th century the term 'green man' was used in England for a man who was covered in leaves [and] foliage including moss as part of a pageant, parade or ritual." This evolved into a sort of pagan figure, though the roots and significance of the Green Man in that context are debated. There are lots of pubs called "The Green Man."
I'm not sure which type of Green Man we're loving, here. Could be any or all of them, I guess.
(Top photo: Our white hellebores, blooming away!)
I don’t know if I’d love that particular green man. But I’m happy for the artist.
ReplyDeleteMany legends and myths surround the Green Man and his origin, and I must have been in several pubs by that name, too.
ReplyDeleteYour last day before the break sounds good - you left satisfied with work well done, and a bottle of wine :-)
I am sort-of on break now, too; officially on holiday with my main employer, but still doing bits and bobs and end-of-year wrap-up tasks for my secondary job.
Have a safe trip to Florida and back, Steve!
Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026, in case we don't read each other again before January. I am looking forward to many more posts from you.
It is nice to have your Christmas roses blooming at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you plan for retirement won't necessarily happen. At least where you live, you can't say 'Walks on the beach'.
So the school where you worked is downsizing itself staff. Does this mean less students or a drop in the quality of education? AI taking over?
The Green Man can be found on many churches, the Kilpeck one is perhaps the most famous. I like the fact that he appears as enigmatic. You should keep a face of him in your garden. Come back safely from America, at least you have dual citizenship and both of you have a wonderful Christmas in Florida.
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