WILLY-NILLY:  without order or plan; haphazardly.

During a campfire conversation at the Grand Canyon this past September, someone asked brother Scott about the nature of his life.  "Pretty much willy-nilly," was his answer.  Though I'd both heard and used the expression, it tickled me to no end.  Because there was a certain amount of unpredictablity to our Grand Canyon trip, I started using it a lot, others followed, and shortly it was the catch phrase of the trip.  The more we used it, the more useful -and hilarious-it became.  Typically we used it as an adjective.  The constantly shifting camping arrangements were instantly willy-nilly.  When it started raining, both the weather and our activities became willy-nilly.  When we ran the battery for the 5th wheel battery dead, finding a place to deep charge a 12 volt battery was willy-nilly.  The dogs ran about in the woods willy-nilly.  Eventually, it became a verb:  Alice:  "Okay, in the morning we'll go to a ranger talk and the Visitor Center, including seeing the movie.  Do we want to plan anything for the afternoon?"  Mike:  "Nah, let's just willy-nilly it." 

As with other family and friends, my brothers are well aware of my need for order and planning.  Though I attempted with some success (I think) to ratchet that down at the Grand Canyon, it was still in evidence.  After the above conversation with Mike, I told Scott that for us people who need to plan, willy-nilly IS a plan--it's a plan not to have a plan! I was completely comfortable with that.  Scott laughed and shook his head.

With the Grand Canyon trip over, I realized I now had a definitive description of my life since retirement:  WILLY-NILLY!  Innocent that I was, I had an idea that once I no longer worked, each day would stretch endlessly before me, and be followed by endless of those endless days, in which everything was accomplished as planned.  That was before I became acquainted with WILLY-NILLY.  Each morning I'd get up with a plan in mind, and before breakfast the day was WILLY- NILLY.  Something of some importance or priority appeared without fail.  Day after day, endlessly.

WILLY-NILLY does not preclude accomplishment.  An enormous amount is being accomplished, and the results are intensely satisfactory. WILLY-NILLY does rule the process.

At my request, we've been doing a significant amount of work making the loft more functional for my retirement activities.  That included putting down new flooring.  Ron did the work over the course of about three weeks, and WILLY-NILLY defined everything.  The loft is where I do everything,
and is about 1/3 of our total floor space.  Suddenly I had no place to do anything!  No desk (for planning and organizing, of course), no place to warm up for running, no quiet place to read.  I was able to find substitutes, but still felt un-homed.  WILLY-NILLY.

Recovering from the running injury resulted in more than one physical therapy appointment in a week for weeks.  WILLY-NILLY.  Once the half-marathon was accomplished, running, which has been an anchor for me for years:  WILLY-NILLY. 

Shopping not being high on my list of favorite things to do, but necessary to accomplish plans for the loft:  WILLY-NILLY.

Gypsy and Maggie both had an eating fest during mushroom season.  Gypsy was the first dog we've had who reacted to mushrooms. Twice.  During the night.  In her crate.  Cleaning the crate, washing the crate bedding, usually more than once, and bathing Gypsy:  WILLY-NILLY. 

Here's a recent ten day run:

Day 1:   Yoga class; met with Kristin, my interior decorating consultant for work in the loft.
Day 2:   Physical therapy appointment.
Day 3:   A blessed day at home!
Day 4:   Met friends for a walk thru Walnut Canyon Nat'l Monument and lunch.
Day 5:   Met with Kristin for more shopping.
Day 6:   A blessed day at home!
Day 7:   Went to Cabela's in Phoenix for Ron's birthday trip.
Day 8:   Yoga class; two appointments including physical therapy; lotsa shopping.
Day 9:    Early to the lab for annual blood work; met a friend for breakfast.
Day 10:  Hiked 10 miles of the AZT with a friend.

THAT'S WILLY-NILLY!

This past week has been calmer and more predictable.  Do I believe it's a sign of things settling down?   Why would I think that?  Tonight after we discovered our Netflix movie was one we'd already seen, I came up to the loft to finish writing a letter, and here I am at the computer instead, writing this blog.  WILLY-NILLY!