I work hard. Everyone says so. But I beg to differ; at heart, I'm laid back and lazy. Well, maybe not so laid back, since I get these bursts of enthusiasm. Maybe not lazy, either, since I just get settled, read for 30 minutes or so, then think of something that must be done and get up and do it.

My mother used to accuse me of being lazy. I think now it wasn't because I didn't do housework and homework and farm work, but because she sensed, first, that I made it look easy (efficiency is a byproduct of laziness) and second, that I am really at heart lazy and laid back. (See recursive comment above).

Case in point: I came into to my computer/closet room to read a bit longer, and ended up folding laundry and putting it away. There always seems to be one more task to do before relaxing with a book.

I'm reminded of the Japanese movie where the wife has died and is laid out on the floor, the husband comes in and sits down at the eating place and the wife gets up and serves him dinner, then lies down dead again. A scene I'll never forget.

I've been cooking and serving food for 60 years. I can easily see myself rising from my death bed to cook and serve just one last meal, so strong is the pattern.