Watching the sap on this tree—waiting for the drip to drop—brought to mind the Heinz ketchup commercial from back in the day; the one with the lyrics from Carly Simon’s mega-hit, Anticipation, playing in the background:
We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway, yay
And I wonder if I’m really with you now
Or just chasin’ after some finer day
Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’
Ever-so-slowly the ketchup would reach the mouth of the bottle, but it was well worth the wait.
Different from dread, anticipation is expecting something positive—something good—and preparing for it. For example, the anticipation of a vacation is half the fun!
What are you looking forward to with great anticipation?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
I’m going to leave the UK and go back to Spain, and although I was mostly dreading it (all the things to be sorted) now I’m feeling quite a bit of anticipation. Thanks, Laurie!
We have left the UK. Would love to settle down in Spain too, but itIghtfield be France too.
Olga — Woohoo! That IS exciting!! 🙂
I’m off to Liverpool for a few days and I am anticipating a good time, in spite of the rain. I live in anticipation a lot but it does take away from living in the moment.
I think I do that too. Always planning the next trip. 👍
Darlene — Liverpool? Oh how FUN! 🙂
I never saw that add, but then again, I used to zap fast forward when adds came on TV.
Right now, I am looking forward to finalising sale on our house so that we can move forward without worry and be able to make a decision as where to settle down next.
Fatima — I’m thinking good thoughts (quick, smooth, and easy sale of your home) and sending them your way 🙂
Well, you won’t belive this, but we’ve just had an email from solicitors saying that buyers want to exchange contracts on Friday! Thank you so much for your positive energy: it might just work!!! 👍❤😃
Fatima — Yaaaaaaaay! 👏👏👏
👍👍👍
I am looking forward to sweater weather. It is unseasonably warm here in New Jersey.
Bernadette — I’m sending “brisk” thoughts your way. We’ve just arrived at weather weather here in Boise. It’s my favorite time of year 🙂
I’ll echo Bernadette: It’s been hot in Florida since May except for a brief reprieve about two weeks ago. Anticipation is becoming a reality: This morning a cool front has arrived. Yippeeee!
Marian — After a white-knuckled drive through snow-covered passes from Bend, OR to Boise, ID last week, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around “hot” temperatures. I’m glad a cool front has arrived in your neck of the woods. Sweater weather, here we come! 🙂
A little anticipation today, as a cold front arrives with a forecast of our first few snowflakes of the season drifting in but not staying. Fortunately, we don’t expect anything like what you went through in the Northwest, Laurie. If so, anticipation would quickly shift to the dread of driving on slippery roads. Otherwise, I’m nose to the grindstone in the present moment. So, this today title popped into my mind, “Better Make It Through Today.”
Audrey — “Nose to the grindstone in the present moment” is a good mental place to be 🙂
I’m glad your snowflakes are expected to stick around for long. That’ll help you to “Better make it through today” 🙂
We are in the middle of a kitchen renovation. I am anticipating the shiny new look!
Arlene — I hope you’ll do a photo post on your blog once everything is ready to unveil 🙂
I’m looking forward to another beautiful day in Northern Colorado. I love all the seasons here but fall is my favorite.
Patricia — I’m right with you: “Fall is my favorite” too 🙂
I’m looking forward to some warmer weather, it’s getting colder here now, and I prefer to be warm 🙂 But on the positive side, I do love Christmas and that’s approximately only 9 weeks away!
Sassy — Only nine weeks away? Say it ain’t so! 😲
lol ‘fraid it is! 😀
Time in the studio!
Cindy — Yaaaaay! 🙂
Looking forward to today unfolding.
DoorCountyInTheMoment — That’s lovely 🙂
Reconnecting with an old friend from over 45 years ago.
Sharon — Oh wow, that’s fantastic! 🙂
To answer: the right publisher to say, “Yes.”
But until that day happens, enjoying the now. : )
Leanne — Way to enjoy the journey! 🙂
Laurie, I am looking forward to more time to work on my latest book project with great anticipation!
I know you can appreciate that “writer’s time” feeling. 🙂
Sheila — You and I share “work on my latest book project with great anticipation” in common. My next book (The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace) releases July 10. I’m excited for both of us! 🙂
I am looking forward to a bit of magic – some healing that brings relief – some knowledge that will assist in a change of mind -and a Thanksgiving train trip to San Francisco. Today’s sunshine after 2.9″ of rain Saturday is revving up the joy factor! Fun post Laurie….loved the photograph and thinking about the drip/drop!
Patricia — What a blessing to have so much to look forward to! 🙂
I am first off anticipating summer’s loosening of its iron clad grasp on teh northeast’s weather patterns, which by now should have been markedly autumnal. It is October 24th and we are still in the mid 70’s with humidity. This warming pattern is affecting the leave color changes too. Ugh. Of course I am a polar bear type of person who much prefers colder temperatures and winter snow. 🙂 Love the Carly Simon lead in! Fabulous post Laurie!
Sam — You polar bear, you! I hope you’re soon surrounded with the temps you so love 🙂
Laurie, I know the calendar says it’s Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere but we are experiencing triple-digit heat here in Southern California. The Santa Anna winds kick up the dust and sand here in the High Desert and make for sensational sunsets but don’t do much to foster the sense of seasonal change. My Great Anticipation is for the visit we will be paying my home state of Georgia during the Christmas Holidays. With luck and good weather perhaps the trees there will hold onto some of their colorful foliage just long enough for me to see them. THEN I will know for certain that Fall did arrive and Winter will soon take it’s place.
Sandi — Ohhhhh, I hope you get to see the Fall colors in Georgia, too. What a treat that would be for you!
I am anticipating more lovely fall days before winter arrives so I can cross off the remaining items on my get-ready-for-winter list. Then I am anticipating a train trip to Portland when my daughter arrives in December to spend an evening and morning playing before we take the train home the next day.
Carol — You’re going to have a blast with your daughter in Portland! 🙂
In just a few weeks Laurie until my gorgeous wee gallery will become my winter studio until April where I will begin working on some large canvases. Yes, yes, yes…. November 20th and I am gathering supplies and reference materials now.
Terrill — I’m counting on you taking photos and sharing 🙂
Mine is way too simple ( like me really) I am anticipating snow on Snowdon Mountain .
Cherryx
Cherry — The BEST things are SIMPLE things 🙂
Hi Laurie,
Fully automated machines capable of copying and maintaining themselves, and capable of delivering a large and ever expanding set of goods and services.
Indefinite life extension for everyone who wants it. Live with a 25 year old body for as long as you want.
Global cooperation in a post scarcity, post money society, where such decisions as are needed are made by consensus.
Every person empowered to do whatever they responsibly choose, where responsibility means taking the reasonable needs of other people and the ecosystems that support us into consideration in all choices we make,
Mitigation of all major risks to life and liberty.
Lotsa good stuff like that.
Should all be possible in the next 15-20 years.
Ted — Hear, hear. I second the motion! 🙂
OOOh, I love how you get me to think about the most pleasant things, Laurie. I’m waiting eagerly for our first snowfall of the season. Today is in the high 60s (Fahrenheit), so we have a ways to go. But I’m ready. Eager anticipation. Is that a redundancy?
Janet — Our (white knuckled) return drive to Boise from Bend, Oregon was loaded with snow. I’ve had my share and will eagerly send you any more that comes our way 🙂
I’m waiting at the airport as I read this, ready to fly out to join four college friends for our annual get together. I am filled with anticipation. By the way, I read Carly Simon‘s memoir and she explains what she was doing while she wrote the lyrics to her song anticipation. Interesting stuff. 💙
Pamela — I know you’re going to have a complete and total blast!
I can hardly wait to see my memoir when it comes out on December 1st. My anticipation for that moment has been five years, but oh so worth the wait.
Rose — Wooooooohoooooo! I’m so excited for YOU! 🙂
My little group of neighborhood friends just realized that 4 of the 5 of us have Oct. and Nov. birthdays. So I’m anticipating and planning a birthday lunch at my house for a group celebration. All I can say right now is there will be balloons and of course chocolate. 🙂 We had a hat party last week that was fun. Ranging in age from 60 to 80 I think we’re proof that at any age girls still just want to have fun.
Espirational — Ohhhhhh, that sounds like a blast! 🙂
I look forward to my 2 month winter escape come February.
D.G. Kaye — That sounds L-O-V-E-L-Y! 🙂
Doesn’t it just! 🙂