Blog archive
November 2023
Connecting with Priyanka Kumar
11/27/2023
Cultural Explorations Plus a Potluck
11/27/2023
From the President
11/27/2023
Loneliness Kills, Social Connections Heal
11/27/2023
Sages and Seekers: Create Intergenerational Connections
11/27/2023
Welcoming the Holidays with Wisdom
11/27/2023
What To Do When the Lights Go Out
11/27/2023
Current Events and Exciting Presentations ahead
11/20/2023
Current Race Issues
11/11/2023
Discussion of Wokeism and CRT
11/06/2023
Humiliation and Degradation
11/05/2023
October 2023
Vintage Celebration Thanksgiving Poem
10/31/2023
Vintage Celebration: Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine
10/31/2023
New to the Village
10/27/2023
Real Life Event with Racism
10/26/2023
30 Years of Changes in Education
10/25/2023
Connecting with the Creative Hannah Rough-Shock
10/24/2023
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – Pasadena Village's Journey
10/24/2023
Aging Gracefully in Pasadena
10/23/2023
Don't Be a Scam Victim This Holiday Season
10/23/2023
Interns at The Village
10/23/2023
Pasadena Village Visitors – Another Benefit of Community
10/23/2023
Ping Pong Pals
10/23/2023
Two Local Stories
10/16/2023
Conversations with African-American Art
10/09/2023
Racism 1966 in Pasadena
10/05/2023
September 2023
A reminiscence for baseball fans
09/30/2023
Dealing With Loss
09/30/2023
Schmoozendoodle Is "Serious" Fun!
09/28/2023
Vintage Celebration: Aging in Place Like a Fine Wine
09/28/2023
Covid-19 Season Is Here
09/27/2023
What Is Ergonomics?
09/27/2023
Rumor of Humor # 24
09/22/2023
Various Perspectives on Racism
09/16/2023
Rumor of Humor # 23
09/14/2023
A DIfferent Perspective
09/10/2023
Racism I Have Experienced
09/05/2023
1619 " Rump" Session
09/04/2023
August 2023
1619 Project Discussion Group explores the Arroyo Seco
08/28/2023
Beyond the Village - Judith Harris
08/28/2023
Board of Directors: Strategic Planning Updates
08/28/2023
Men's Time Brunch
08/28/2023
One Village, One Book
08/28/2023
Pasadena Racism, Past and Present
08/28/2023
Profile of a Leader: Ron Stoffers
08/28/2023
Remember John and Thelma Orr
08/28/2023
Volunteer & Leadership Training
08/28/2023
Gardenias
08/21/2023
Current Events Including the RICO Indictment of Mr. Trump
08/19/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
RofH#22
08/06/2023
July 2023
Arroyo Seco Development, Past and Present
07/24/2023
From the President
07/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #20
07/23/2023
VMC Conference 2023
07/21/2023
Strategic Plan Progress: Program Teams
07/17/2023
From the Executive Director
07/14/2023
Reflections from Villager Monica Hubbard
07/14/2023
SCOTUS: Rulings on Cases with No Standing
07/10/2023
History and Future Development of Arroyo Seco
07/09/2023
What I Like About Being a Villager
07/09/2023
June 2023
Dick and Sharon, Mixed Race Marriage
06/19/2023
Conversations with West African Art
06/09/2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
Doin’ Nothin’
By Karen BagnardPosted: 06/05/2022
Doin’ Nothin’
by
Kären Bagnard
Is it okay… doin’ nothin’? I’m doin’ nothin’ and still, at age 77, wondering if it’s okay. How can that be? Are we so trained to be productive at every moment that we have a hard time just being still… just being?
If it’s a holiday weekend it surely must be okay. It’s not the actual holiday but it’s just a day away. It’s a weekend. Isn’t it okay to do nothin’ on a weekend?
I sat on my front porch with my mid-morning cup of coffee and enjoyed the cool shade, the sounds of the birds in the trees, the lush green of my garden, the opening irises and the blossoms on the small Palo Verde tree that the county planted in my front yard. My cat, Madge, came out the front door to join me. She’s afraid of the street and cars but, up on the porch with me, she feels safe and purrs when I scratch her chin.
Later, after working on a painting, I sat in my patio swing and enjoyed the rocking motion of the swing and the sounds in the park nearby and a few sounds from neighbors’ yards. The trees rustled in the breeze and I listened to the music floating out my windows and slider. Navajo flutes, Gregorian chants, Tibetan singing bowls blending with the birds’ calls.
The watering of the trees and shrubs in the backyard brought me to the park bench at the far back of the property. Again, I sat and did nothin’. I looked at my house from a different perspective and it made me feel happy. Madge stepped carefully through the sparse, unwatered lawn to reach me. It must seem like a long way from home to her. She only goes back now when I’m out there. She’s old and stays inside more and stays closer to me when we are outside. I adore my little black companion with her grey face!
When I’m doin’ nothin’ I’m often dreaming and wondering, too. I wonder how I look to that crow high up in the pine tree. Does he wonder what kind of a bird I am? Does he see Madge as a tasty morsel?
I dream about parties and get-togethers I want to have. I look at my empty patio and remember the many times it has been full of chattering friends and family and kids running around. I reminisce about the Halloween parties my kids had here or the birthday parties. I chuckle at myself remembering the wedding rehearsal dinner I hosted for Anna and Francis. I was a nervous wreck but it all turned out so well… thanks to Grampa Joe taking charge of grilling the chicken! I realize now that the wine I chose was all wrong but I also know that it’s the people that “make” the party, not the wine or the decorations or anything else. If you haven’t learned that by age 77, you are way behind!
Doin’ nothin’ gives me the chance to explore my imagination for new ways to create art. I envision bold lines, bright colors, interesting textures and maybe a few sparkles. I envision my patio fence covered with interesting paintings. I imagine myself free of the fear of not being able to be an artist anymore. I hear that inner voice telling me, “just do it!”
I’m back in the swing again, doin’ nothin’ except savoring the memory of the friends I had dinner with last night… such good friends. They feel like family to me… maybe even better than family. I’m aware of the sadness in the world but I am also aware of the goodness in the world. Right now, while I’m doin’ nothin’, I’m also counting my blessings.
Yes, I’ve decided that doin’ nothin’ is a very good thing. This is when we actually pay attention to all the riches in our lives and all the joys and all the choices we can make to bring more of the good stuff into our lives. Doin’ nothin’ is great to do with music or a cup of coffee or tea or with your cat. Doin’ nothin’ allows you to dream, savor, enjoy and count blessings.