Druther hunting season

Seeds of discontent.

And dissent.

Hairy situations and nails on the edge.

But it’s The Druthers, not virus, drivin’ universal dissatisfaction. 

I don’t know about you, but I’d druther be out of cold storage. Ready to cave. In? (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

The Druthers – an old ailment infecting just about everyone at one point or the other

Often brought on by little sun, cold temperatures, and short dark days.

Usually afflicting adults

From the armchair during January, my aging dad would cover himself in seed catalogues. Burpee before computers – with the descriptions and glorious of tomato  and rose varieties: these grew big, these were sweet, these were heritage and hardy. The cucumbers, peas, corn, watermelons, and fend-for-yourself-while-discouraging-bugs flowers. Maybe a few gourds just for fun this year?

Other family members chose travel brochures, wandered through cheap air travel tickets, or resort packages. (We are not cruise people.)

All feeling’ they’d druther be doing something else somewhere else.

“Druthers” can make you smile while sayin’ or thinkin’ about how to get out of it.

Of questionable origin

Many insist it’s strictly a regional phrase of the Deep South Hicksville  : a contraction of “I’d rather be doing…..”

Some say has traces back to England: as contraction of contractions. “If I had had a choice, I would have rathered ….” (“If I’d had a choice, I’d rathered…”)

Shorten form showing preference or choice, in any case

“Dear, I have an idea. I know if you had your druthers we’d just hunker down here for the duration, but you know those big ole plastic water cooler jugs? What if we cut them off at the neck and put them over our heads? Ultimate in sneeze and cough guards!”(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

For as long as I can remember, this is the time of year for Drutherings

School normally almost out.

Windows open. Breezes teasing. Grass fattened enough to feel good under bare feet. Warm sun. Surf boards getting waxed. Sails scrutinized on lawns. Sandals bought. Jeans now too short hacked into cutoffs.

Ready to roll.

With road maps on the dining table with camp grounds, routes being debated, and a years worth of coins in the big  jar being counted, rolled up, and added to the summer pay-as-you-go vacation trip budget.

We were not cruise people. It was camping in the National Parks. Once grown, my brother never wanted to ever see or set up a tent again. It was probably the skunks that time…One of my uncles helped build some of those old rock CCC park structures like the dance pavilion at Garner State Parker. Vintage like this 1940’s WPA Travel poster.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

“I’d rather be anywhere but here” drutherings

Virus or no virus, nothing can stop the distraction.

Mother’s Day only a momentary deflection

This year – it’s all different now. Ultimate destination: todos uncertain.

I’d druther not be so restless: no planning, no wanderings.

Even lacking any real possibility of a normal, safe, summer.

“Stop. He did not buy the last packet of tomato seeds on Amazon…” (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Darn, dastardly virus.

“Staycation” wasn’t coined to mean “Sit. Stay in your actual home. Alone.”

If Druthers were horses, then without beggin’, I’d jump right on and dash directly outta here. What about you?

Happy as a clam

Yep.

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

“I sits there for hours,
developin’ my powers
a figurin’ how flowers gets tall
If I had my druthers
I’d druther have my druthers
than anything else at all.”

( All the lyrics here)