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Time Goes By

Wow, the month of May slid by and here I sit, looking back and wondering what happened to all that time. Time seems particularly slippery during these shelter-in-place months. Back in March, I thought I would get so much done.

Let's just say it didn't work out as I'd planned.

Time doesn't stop while sheltering in place.
Image by xaviandrew from Pixabay
As I write this, my mind wanders to various musical pieces that have to do with the passage of time. The first few songs that come to mind are some personal favorites:
Oh, let's not forget As Time Goes By from the movie Casablanca.

This leads me to wonder if there might be lists of songs that have "time" as a theme or element.

Time for research!

Here's some of what I found (the first two lists have embedded YouTube videos so you can click, listen, and watch; the third allows you to hear a sample of each song):


If you are feeling that time is passing you by these days, just rest assured you are not alone. I've heard some writers say that they are getting scads of writing done, and I've heard others say they can't focus on writing at all. Most I know are, like me, just doing the best they can: putting one word in front of the other and hoping that is good enough for now.

 I try to keep George Harrison's words in mind: all things must pass. Eventually, we will enter a period of what folks are calling "the new normal." And after more time passes—who knows how much (months? years?)—this new normal will simply become "normal."

Time doesn't stop, it just keep on truckin', so I guess I'll do the same no matter how long or strange the trip. (You can probably guess what song I'm listening to right now.)

Ann Parker authors the award-winning Silver Rush historical mystery series published by Poisoned Pen Press, an imprint of Sourcebooks. During the day, she wrangles words for a living as a science editor/writer and marketing communications specialist (which is basically a fancy term for "editor/writer"). Her midnight hours are devoted to scribbling fiction. Visit AnnParker.net for more information.

Comments

  1. Is it Friday again? It was just Friday yesterday. At least I am only a day older.

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    1. Hi Polly... I know! How can Fridays keep running into each other like this? Isn't there supposed to be six days between each one? ;-)

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  2. I'm like Polly on Mondays because that's when I do laundry and it always feels as if I just did laundry the day before. I like the sentiment of "this too shall pass," but I agree with Ann that it might not pass but we'll adapt to whatever "normal" becomes in the future. We do live in interesting times.

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    1. Hi Patricia,
      Each Monday I think, "Okay! A whole week ahead! Gonna get a lot done this week." And then, it's Friday. :-/
      It just feels like I ought to be doing "something" other than sitting in place. But it turns out that is probably the best thing to do. (Well, and I try to support local small businesses remotely, and do my job remotely, and all that... but I'm still just sitting in one place while I do it. Like Alice in Wonderland, running as fast as I can to just stay in the same place.

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  3. Immediately thought of Turn, Turn, Turn.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn!_Turn!_Turn!

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    1. Hi Liz!
      Oooooh, that's another good one! Definitely should be on the list.

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  4. I keep thinking "Let's do the time warp again." :)

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  5. As it happens, I picked up a book given me by a friend. Travels with Epicurus is a philosopher's reflection on the most fulfilling use of his remaining time.

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    1. Hi Liz! Thanks for mentioning this book. I grabbed an ebook version. It sounds very interesting. Let me know what you think of it.

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    2. I enjoyed it. Memories of college philosophy classes had me set the book aside after a friend gave it to me a year or more ago. Generally, however, it proved a light read with useful points.

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  6. "Unchained Melody" addresses the slow passage of time in some circumstances. It's one of my favorites. The Inka Gold instrumental version on the pan flute and guitar is also quite nice.

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    1. Hi Linda! I found a YouTube link to he Inka Gold version you mentioned: (https://youtu.be/-kpWllK3VgI) ... You're right, it's lovely! :-)

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