Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Contemplating some mental meandering
Have you ever stopped in mid-thought and wondered, “How did I get here?”
It’s fun to try and follow your thought process back to what you originally were contemplating — it’s like retracing your steps to find something you lost. And for me, this is a daily jaunt!
For instance, the other day, I picked up my phone to order something on Amazon. A simple task, right? But as I picked up my phone, I saw that I had a weather alert. So of course, I clicked it. Tornado warning … in Oklahoma. Okay, I probably don’t have to worry.
However, once I’m on the weather page, I wonder what the forecast is for this week? (click) I’ll just turn on the TV for a minute and see what the Weather Channel is saying. (click) Ok, no special bulletins or announcements. Looks like my local forecast calls for some snow tomorrow. Hmmm, do I have enough ice melt? I believe I do. I got it last time I went to the store.
The store …they also had Easter candy on sale, so I picked that up as well for the grandkids. I’m all set for Easter. When does Easter fall this year? Hmmm, let me just look at my calendar. Oh, it’s late this year. April 17. Right around my granddaughter’s birthday. Wonder what the theme is for her party this year — will I be making the cake? Let’s look at some 11-year-old birthday cake ideas. (click on Pinterest) Love making the grandkids’ cakes!
After a good 15 minutes or so lost in Pinterest-land, I remembered that I still had not ordered what I needed on Amazon. So off I went, back to my main
screen.
“Oh, look, someone texted me… might be important… oh, just a political text.” (delete) But while I’m here, I should probably text the kids to say hello. Just take a minute…”
Twenty minutes later, after engaging in three conversations at the same time, I closed out of messages.
“Wait! I have not yet played my daily Wordle!” (click) Another 10 minutes passed, while I figured out the tough word for the day. Ah, victory! Whew!
(Ding) Oh, look, a new Facebook notification! Let’s just see who’s doing what? (click) Between new posts and looking at my “Memories,” which is equivalent to “On This Day in the History of My Life,” I finally closed the app
about 20 minutes later.
I started to get up from the couch but realized that the tables in the family room were dusty. I had a few minutes, let me just dust “real quick,” just these three tables. And the entertainment center. And the mantle. And the desk. And my treadmill. The treadmill…it’s been a while since I used it. OK, let me just do a quick mile.
Forty-five minutes later, with a quick mile under my belt, and having watched the end of whatever inane show was on the TV to keep my attention while I ran, I was ready to get back to business. Amazon! I still had not ordered my Amazon!
As I attempted to get there, my phone rang. Hmm, a call from Florida. I don’t know anyone
in Florida. Must be a junk call. I let that go to voicemail. But I sure do love Florida! It wasn’t long ago we had a mini-Disney vacation with four of the grandkids. So much fun!
Gee, I wonder what they are doing now? They live so far away, in the Midwest. I don’t get to see them too much. But I hope they are OK out there. You know, there is a tornado warning in Oklahoma! I guess I would have heard if it had moved to their neighborhood.
I sure do miss that area, I have not been there since a short trip in spring of 2021. Might be time for a road trip. Gas prices are really high, though. Maybe I’ll wait. I hope things improve soon. Maybe it’s time for a quick prayer for the people of Ukraine
and for peace. (pause for a prayer) Amen. Can’t pray that enough.
Road trip. Yes, that’s what I was thinking about. Well, for now, guess we’ll have to stick to FaceTime. Thank goodness for FaceTime. Hey, I wonder if my kids are home? I’ll just call real quick … (click) (ring, ring, ring…) I’ll try again later.
Now, what was I going to do? Oh, yes, Amazon! Maybe I should check the product information on this purchase first. What reviews are out there? What are the people saying? How does it hold up with daily use? Now, what was it I was going to order?
(Woof!) My puppy had awakened from her nap and wanted to play. (sigh) OK, let’s go. After a good 20 minutes of fetch and soccer, she picked up her ratty, tattered rope and wanted to play tug of war. I grabbed an end and started pulling.
I suddenly realized “That’s it!” I set out to order her a new rope with which to play, because hers was destroyed by a young Labrador’s gnawing! I’d gone full circle, spent the day in mental meandering, lost in connected thoughts, much like a giant Connect the Dots game!
If someone can invent a mental GPS to keep my thoughts from wandering, let me know. For now, I will just enjoy the randomness that is my way of thinking and go order a dog toy. If you want me, I’ll be… who knows?