The word for today is DOWN. Actually, it was the word for yesterday, but I didn't get to sit DOWN at the computer and write it DOWN. Since I've been working eight hours a day for the Census, I don't have as much DOWN time.
But don't worry. I am neither DOWN nor out. Neither have I been to Paris or London recently (acknowledgments due to Mr. Orwell). I do worry though that I may be coming DOWN with something.
I do miss the long, soft and slow hours I indulged with my hotel quality DOWN pillow and my DOWN comforter. I do resent that I have to get up and out by a certain time. On the whole though, I love the independence of working for the Census. I love being outdoors. I love the feel of the ground DOWN below me and the sight of the sky above. You could say I'm DOWN with the job.
In the dictionary the phrase DOWN East is defined as referring to the entire state of Maine. but if you're from Maine you're more likely to know the more specific nature of the term as provided by Down East, The Magazine of Maine : "When ships sailed from Boston to ports in Maine (which were to the east of Boston), the wind was at their backs, so they were sailing downwind, hence the term 'Down East.' And it follows that when they returned to Boston they were sailing upwind; many Mainers still speak of going 'up to Boston,' despite the fact that the city lies approximately 50 miles to the south of Maine’s southern border." The ships were often sailing to ports in Hancock and Washington counties, the Downeast coast of Maine. I used to love driving DOWN the long slender peninsulas along the coast or going DOWN to the rocky seashore.
As an adult, I'll play with kids and roll DOWN hills or get DOWN on the floor to play. I'm just more of a DOWN to earth kind of person.
I do have a special song for DOWN. It makes me feel better when I'm DOWN or blue, or just feeling plain rotten or out of sorts. It asks "How Can You Laugh When You Know I'm DOWN." And the minute that line goes through my mind I start to whistle and then smile. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmsTT9bvWIg&feature=related
P.S. I was six in 1965 when the Beatles played at Shea Stadium....just a few miles from where I lived!!! Can anybody tell me the contemporary equivalent to the question who is/was your favorite Beatle? (Umm, Jonas Brother?)
Amy you just made me realize...that I...with my worldly position on the planet Earth and my daily life...I never say "I'm going up"...it's always going down, going over, going to, going in, going out, going by, going for, going past, or just going...I do go up the stairs or up the hills...but never speak it...it's always down...but atleast I myself am always mostly UP!
ReplyDeleteWanda: I can tell you are mostly always UP which is one of the reasons why I love to hear from you! Sometimes, I do refer to UP the street, as in she lives UP the street. In Maine (my reference point for almost everything), we did say it's UP the road a piece. I'll think of that as I canvass today and check on all the buildings UP the road... In life you never know what's UP the road a piece. Part of the mystery that keeps things interesting. Have a great day.
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