That Sunday Night feeling

As a kid it was the reality that Bonanza was over and so was the weekend. Back to school on Monday and invariably there would always be left over homework that I'd scramble to get done early the next morning. We all experience the Sunday blahs, the reality that the 48 hour respite called weekend was over and the weekly grind was about to set in.

 Since 1962, I'd leave some form of school Friday afternoon with all the best intentions to get the work done early in the weekend so that I'd be free and clear for some R and R. But the road to homework hell is paved with good intentions, so there I was late on most Sunday nights trying to "get it done". Very little in the way of learning for learning sake, just get it done so that you won't get into trouble.

Being in school in one form or another for over 50 years, I've had plenty of practice with this phenomenon and while over the years the shows changed from Bonanza to Sopranos I could never quite conquer the weekend cram. Over the last 12 years as school principal you'd think the workload would have lightened, NOT! There was the pithy weekly bulletin complete with puns and clever ( I thought) titles to give the staff a smile as their workweek unfolded. There was always some project, report, or test score analysis that had to be addressed for the week ahead. my weekends  were  study in practicability: Saturday chores, errands and house related work. On Sunday I'd get up early start to write, review and respond to central office requests for this or that, while J got ready for a day in the city or some activity that was not work related. Too often I'd need more time and would return home at 6:00 to pooped to be very effective.

With retirement all that stress is gone. Everyday is Sunday but in a good way. This past weekend we:
                   Went to an opening at the Guggenheim, on a Friday night, unheard of!
                    Leisurely walked around an art show then went to dinner with friends
                    Read the NYT to fine out about an off, off,off Broadway play.
                    Sunday had a great lunch at an Italian Restaurant, where I practiced my Italian, saw the play and had a cappuccino afterwards. Never once looking at my watch, I stopped wearing a watch 4 months ago, we arrived home just in time for 60 Minutes. Up until June this would have sent me into Sunday Night mode but with the new normal I was able to have dinner and then settle in with The Good Wife.