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 taken 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.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great feeling to wake early, realise you don't have to get up for work then roll over and doze off again.
ReplyDeleteIt is no co-incidence that Robin Hood dressed in Lincoln Green. The Green Man of English folklore predates the Christian "God" that was foisted upon us almost two thousand years ago. Even today, The Green Man's tendrils are everywhere - fertility, growth, harvest, renewal.
ReplyDeleteOn of my favorite things about my work life is when we were on our first day of vacation and I didn't have to set my alarm. Retirement is great as everyday is like that now! Safe travels to Florida.
ReplyDeleteIt amuses me when people ask about my plans for the weekend! Same as the other days! You'll be amused too, when you get there, every day is Saturday.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see the word green I now instantly think environmentally friendly!
ReplyDeleteSince I've been retired, I pretty much started giving back to the community by volunteering in various ways. That quickly led to me sitting on a handful of boards dictating the operations of various organizations. I'm as busy now as I was working as an engineer from 6 to 3 (my normal working hours). The big difference is that I never get burnt out like I did when I was an engineer.
ReplyDeleteSneaking on here at work as per usual & the photos aren't coming up (probably some new spam filter situation - it's always changing around here). Hopefully I'll remember to come back when I'm at home because I love Green Man Things & want to be sure to check out the graffiti!
ReplyDeleteI always considered the Green Man as a sort of nature spirit but not so much about representing spring or rebirth. That would be Mother Nature herself or Persephone.
ReplyDeleteI have had no trouble filling my time since we retired.
When I worked in Chicago, I had a friend who lived there and he collected Green Men masks. He had several hanging on a wall in his apartment.
ReplyDeleteI know that extra two hours of sleep event very well. When I'm able to do that it makes all the difference. You are lucky to be off. I still have a few more days before out break.
Two extra hours of sleep must have felt like the most luxurious gift you could give yourself in the world. Good for the body. Good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI just read a thing online that said the Green Man is the consort of Mother Nature. I wonder.
By the way- I do not think of you as a whiny baby in the least.
I think you will absolutely love your retirement! I have never looked back for one second and in a way I'm grateful things were so bad at work when I left. They turned around within a couple of years over there, but at the time there was no hope; if I'd known, I might have stuck it out for that time and been miserable. It is wonderful to be more or less in charge of your own schedule 24/7! And I love the Greenman stories, both.
ReplyDeleteI still wake up at the time I woke up when I worked. It annoys me but I cannot manage to sleep late. Oh well, I have the rest of the days to do what I want so you will enjoy retirement. Funny that Dave might be working more while you will work less!
ReplyDeleteI've seen those images in architecture and if I ever knew they were called "green men", I forgot. Green always makes me think of rebirth and new life. Just walk in nature in the springtime. It's amazing just how many shades of green there are!
ReplyDeleteI just sent you an email. Solid sleep is a luxury these days. I hope you and Dave have a safe trip and a happy time.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been away and now I’m back, so I missed the big news that you took a buy out—congrats! A man of leisure and artistic and intellectual pursuits you will be! I predict more mornings of luxurious extra sleep for you. I started All the Colors of the Dark a while back based on stellar reviews, but I was distracted and abandoned it just a short way in. I’ve been intending to return. I gather you would recommend that I do?
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of the Green Man! That's great that you get more reading and relaxing time on break. It's a rehearsal for retirement. I had trouble adapting to the lack of routine and schedule, but I lived alone, so that made it harder.
ReplyDeleteThe Green Man..Herne the Hunter.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever go to Canterbury look at the huge wooden doors where you go from the street onto the Close....
Retirement is bliss. Have a great trip to Florida.
ReplyDelete