Going to Roost – 6:00 p.m.

I’ve never been much for movie matinees or daytime television. Too many other things to do. Which means, of course, that I don’t see many films or much TV because, at my ‘tender age,’ I fall asleep almost as soon as it gets dark. (I know that somewhere along the evolutionary chain we might have been related to chickens and I definitely see the connection when it comes to bedtimes these days.)

Now, during the months of Nyel’s recovery, I find that I am doing things that are a bit out of the ordinary. Like watching DVDs on some afternoons. It’s definitely my idea. Nyel has seemed perfectly content to do crosswords or indulge in some light reading.  He has seldom delved into the boxes of DVDs that Tucker so kindly brought over. I’m not quite sure why. Whatever his reason, I’ve taken it into my head that he needs outside stimulation (knowing full well that I’m probably the one who is needy) and so we have begun taking afternoon popcorn-and-DVD-breaks.

“Rumpole of the Bailey”

The last few days we’ve been watching “Rumpole of the Bailey” – the series that was broadcast on PBS from 1978 to 1992.  Horace Rumpole is admirably portrayed by Leo McKern whose bulbous nose, pendulous jowls and erratic eyebrows are perfect for the eccentric barrister.  There are 42 episodes on 14 disks and, unless we begin extending our viewing pleasure to two or three episodes a day, they will outlast Nyel’s confinement.

Of course, we may find that afternoon viewing is habit forming.  In truth, though, I doubt if such a state of affairs would be possible for me. It must be something to do with that old-fashioned “Puritan Work Ethic” – unless I’m ‘accomplishing’ something, I feel just a tad guilty. It’s probably why I don’t do much reading-for-pleasure until after I go to bed. It just feels like sinful indulgence to sit back and enjoy a book when there are ‘things’ I ‘should’ be doing.

I’d be the first to say that mine is a silly point of view, but since it’s one I’ve had for almost eighty years, I doubt if it will change. Or… maybe Rumpole will become the change agent. Time will tell.