http://www.robinhobb.com/blog/posts/38429 ROBIN HOBB also writes as Megan Lindholm * Home * Works * Events * Questions Answered * Blog Tags * chocolate (1) * Farseer Trilogy (2) * Folio (1) * Illustrated Edition (2) * Magali Villeneuve (3) * Megan Lindholm (2) * Megan Lindholm Steals My Coffee (1) * Molly (1) * Nighteyes (1) * Office Kat Musings (1) * Random Penguins (1) * Robin Is Out of the Office (1) * Royal Assassin (1) * Tommy Arnold (1) * Wizard of the Pigeons (1) * zoom (1) Click Edit on the top toolbar to begin blogging. Archives * May 2021 (1) * March 2021 (1) * February 2021 (2) * January 2021 (2) * November 2020 (1) * October 2020 (1) * September 2020 (1) * July 2020 (3) * June 2020 (5) * May 2020 (3) * April 2020 (3) * March 2020 (7) * February 2020 (1) * January 2020 (2) * November 2019 (1) * October 2019 (3) * September 2019 (4) * July 2019 (1) Upcoming Releases! Special Editions The Farseer Trilogy in Hardback, Uniform Editions In hardcover in the UNITED STATES for the first time ever! A gorgeously illustrated anniversary edition of the book that launched the Farseer Trilogy, praised by George R. R. Martin as "fantasy as it ought to be written," featuring a new foreword by Robin Hobb and ten full-color illustrations by renowned illustrator Magali Villenueve. Join other readers! Robin Hobb Reddit Robin Hobb's GoodReads Page Robin Hobb's Infrequent and Off Topic Blog The Animal is tired May 8, 2021 The animal is aging. Not surprising; I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn't make any provisions to deal with that eventuality. Somehow the reality crept up on me. And now it must be dealt with, day after day. It is restless in the night, moaning about aches, unable to find a comfortable position for sleep. It awakes me too early, muscles stiff and reluctant to move but unable to return to sleep. And if I let it sit still, it dozes off in the middle of the day. Finding foods it can eat without upsetting its digestion has become a task as it rejects more and more foods but balks at the monotonous diet it can manage. And despite restricting its food, it is putting on pounds, its middle thickening as the creature loses strength, loses flexibility. When it was young, I drove it hard. I fed it whatever was to hand, or didn't feed it at all. It slept only when I no longer needed its labor at the end of a long day. Day after day of steady work, night sleep sacrificed for more work; It didn't seem to mind. It could run, it could climb, it could carry heavy loads. It was never the loveliest of its kind, but it had endurance and strength beyond what some others possessed. It still does, but it pays more dearly when what I demand exceeds what I should expect of it. It never had fast reflexes, and now it's even slower to react. The animal remembers every harsh thing I've done to it. I kept it too long in the cold, frostbiting its feet, and now every cold floor reminds it of what I did. I have degenerated its joints to keep to a schedule. Now its grip is fading. I risked its eyesight by staring endlessly at a screen, and now the colors are fading out of its day. As our time together is winding slowy to a close, I wish I'd taken better care of it. Better food, more exercise, more relaxation . . . but I also wonder if it would have made any difference. I tell myself it still has useful years ahead of it, even if it can't do some of the things it once accomplished with ease. I reflect, sheepishly, that it is the only animal I have ever treated this way. Would I have fed a beloved dog stimulants to keep it working when it needed sleep? Never. Would I have dosed a cat with a mild poisoning of alcohol to relax it among strangers? Of course not. But this one animal received no mercy from me. And I regret that now. And so we enter our 70th year together. Me, and the animal I live inside. Be kind to animals. It's never too late to start. 18 Comments Comments May 08, 2021 6:58 PM EDT Rest. And thank you so much. Your labor has enriched my life. And when this old animal cannot sleep for the discomfort and pain it is your work I reach for. Your people who sooth me. A thousand thanks. - jacki e bell May 08, 2021 7:41 PM EDT I'm 21 years old and I keep thinking about how I'm gonna pay for my life habits in the future. This post really resonated with me, thank you! - Ryan May 09, 2021 11:59 AM EDT My heart is with you, on this mother's day. I'm 51 and having the same realizations as you but your words express this so well. Best wishes to you and thank you for sharing your world and words with us. - Marc Bouchard May 09, 2021 8:58 PM EDT Please accept my heartfelt wishes for your wellness. Perhaps you are already aware of how to climb out of this predicament. Consider looking into the pacing materials on cfsselfhelp.org, and trying an MBSR course. Somatic experiencing therapy can also be helpful. Good luck... - LRJW May 09, 2021 11:42 PM EDT I feel ya, dawg - Larry Edelstein's body May 10, 2021 1:49 AM EDT Typo: slowy -> slowly - AD May 10, 2021 2:06 AM EDT This is, without doubt, one of the most powerful things I've read. I'm 28 this year and I'm beginning to actually "feel" what I do to my body. I want to give you my sincere thanks for writing such a powerful thing. It is rare that I feel so enlightened, yet you've graced me with such powerful perspective that I feel compelled to live differently. - AKX May 10, 2021 2:27 AM EDT Robin Hobb, you're my hero! thank you for all the books! - XXX May 10, 2021 6:16 AM EDT I'm 37 and finally taking this thought to heart. Like you, I wonder if it'll matter. - Mischa Wiedouw May 10, 2021 7:54 AM EDT Ghosts in their shells - P May 10, 2021 9:00 AM EDT Its not too late to show the animal love. Its not too late to show remorse for your abuses, to offer compassion and restitution now. Thank you for sharing this. Happy birthday to you and your animal. - Lorien Inksong May 10, 2021 9:42 AM EDT This speaks to me on so many levels. Thank you for sharing. - Beth May 10, 2021 11:04 AM EDT I am this animal. - tharple May 10, 2021 11:06 AM EDT Bursts of energy and frenetic work followed by crippled rest and late awake...my animal 10 years behind and still lagging. Yet, still much to do. I will try pushing the animal some more and hope for building strength.... New scenes, fresh lively air, and languorous hikes might help my animal....wishing your animal gets what it needs and sustains you! Your works have helped keep my soul and joy intact! Thank you, and do what you need...not what others want. - Beth Basista May 10, 2021 12:03 PM EDT Most people have no clue how profound the changes are in the aging process; it is a whole new reality - Diane Kruse May 10, 2021 12:42 PM EDT This hits home with a tender bang. - Leon A May 10, 2021 12:47 PM EDT Oh my dear, I wish you well. Very well spoken, as no other could. Please take the time you need and enjoy some well deserved rest. Take care of the animal you live in, as there will be no other to go to when it fails you. All my love, Reny - Reny May 10, 2021 1:48 PM EDT Very good stuff, Maggy. Happy 70th. You're a helluva writer. I should know; I am too. You a 1951? I'm a 1941. Just turned 80. I need to send you something. IW - IW/ for: Algonquin J. Calhoun Post a comment Facebook (c) @2019 Robin Hobb * * * * Loading...}