In 1861 Charles Darwin wrote a letter to Charles Lyell, a Scottish geologist, who besides his many scientific contributions, also advocated the use of geological surveys and explained the cause of earthquakes. Darwin, of course, brought us the first version of the theory of evolution, fundamentally altering the entire field of biology and irrevocably influencing literature, politics, and philosophy. History sees these two men as giants.
The letter itself talks about glacier movement and its geological consequences, and then at the end, Darwin includes the following paragraph.
But I am very poorly today & very stupid & hate everybody & everything. One lives only to make blunders.
C Darwin
This quote is often cited, but the letter isn’t over. There is one more paragraph.
I am going to write a little Book for Murray on orchids & today I hate them worse than everything so farewell & in a sweet frame of mind, I am
Ever yours
C. Darwin
That would be John Murray, a London publishing house that brought us Jane Austen, Lord Byron, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle among many others. The little book Darwin was writing? The Various Contrivances by which British and Foreign Orchids are Fertilized by Insects. It is a milestone scientific work that examines how flowers evolved their structure and color to attract insect cross-pollinators. It was a revolutionary publication that led to an explosion of research by other naturalists and is still in print today. You can read more about it in this Wikipedia article.
So if you are feeling poorly and stupid today and hate everyone and everything, especially that “little” project you are working on, hang in there. You are not alone.
1st to comment?
Thank you for posting something almost every day of this week! Love your posts! Its been such a terrible week, I wish I could skip to Friday. :sigh:
This is the best thing. Thank you for this little uplifting moment!
I had to go to Walmart yesterday and when I got back in my car I yelled, “I hate people!”
I’m a vendor in Walmart and scream “I hate people!” nearly every day when I leave! ????
Why I do not shop at Walmart
+1
+1
I am struggling today and feeling poorly with one of the many viruses that seem to be going around. I appreciate that Darwin still managed to end his letter with such kindness even though he was clearly having a bad day.
You guys are gems and share the best things. Thank you for the encouragement. Just what I needed today.
Love this. Thank you!
Thank you for the post, today I’ve been out of sorts, irritable, snapping and generally feeling like I’m rubbish at everything but I too realised that low days like these are often needed to help reset your brain and allow you to realise that tomorrow will be a better day and that even at your lowest you can still do great things, even if you only do one kind thing ❤️ ???? xx
It’s always the little things that get us through a day where we hate everything and everyone, isn’t it?
Pictures of puppies and kittens, a new type of tea, a favorite cookie, yummy chocolate, a warm blanket, a good book, a snippet, or just someone writing about cleaning out a closet. The smallest of gifts. ????
????
Ah, I needed this today. Thanks for sharing! ????
Thank you so much I needed this so much. Love you all ❤️❤️
thank you I too needed this today – mid term after work (feel like I am not prepared) kitty is connected to the change in weather and is depressed, I feel overwhelmed with life and work and hate everyone and people at work seem to suck more but grateful it is getting lighter each day (see can reframe – or change colour to attract insects).
thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you for this gem. I just wish my “little” contrivances might be so well received and so memorable.
I so needed this today. Thank you!
It’s a gray sort of day here in the Midwest. I am waiting to see if the drizzling rain turns to ice and sleet or just snow. Snow would be better. I have been cutting out pieces of fabric to make 36 inch quilt kits for 3 days now and I Hates them, I Hates them. However, when I need an emergency baby shower gift I will be glad I can pull out the appropriate baggie and can whip one out in a day or so. So far , I have a Flower Fairy quilt kit, a Little Golden Book one, a Tawney Scrawny Lion kit, and a light house quilt kit.
Needed this. Thank you.
Tried to show a quilt from an earlier year and somehow posted twice. Oops. I’m having pink fabric cravings. It happens when the weather is gray in late winter.
Timely and interesting. Love the facts you give us. In your blog and books.
When I first bought my home there was a very grumpy old lady next door. I could not do anything that pleased her. I started praying ‘please Lord, do not let me become a grumpy old lady like her’
Now I am the old lady, and when I get irritated I remember that prayer, and reassess my response and try to change my attitude.
We all have those days!
Dear Di,
Lolololol….I had an old lady too! But I said “I can’t wait until I’m an old lady and can be cantankerous too.”
Now I’m an old lady and I find it’s just too much energy expended to be so negative. So I’m still my smiling self.
I think you have to be a grumpy young person to be a grumpy old person.
Let’s keep being Sensational Seniors and enjoying the GENIUS of House Andrews!
Maybe I’ll switch to doll stuff. It is starting to get lighter out. I still feel like Eyore though.
There‘s nothing wrong with, Eyore! He was always my favorite, though I do love all the residents of their woods. ???????????????? We‘re having a major snowstorm today, potentially up to 11“ of snow with 40 mph wind gusts…..
My deck is an ice rink and the sun is brightly shining! Tomorrow everything will melt. I hope your snowstorm wasn’t too heavy. I think I will stay in and work with lace.
Thank you. Hubby and I needed a smile.
It was a whopping 8 degrees this morning as I was shoveling.
Good thing I like shoveling! Hate vacuuming, but I have done my work today…. And now I am rewarded with a trip to San Antonio for my Aunt’s 89th Birthday party… so things are looking up.
Love this reminder that while there is snow and cold, the sun will always come out!
Thank you, I was having that day, the day I planned to end my 32 year career and make sandwiches at WAWA. not really but it felt that way. Also my husband says I’m bad st taking directions.
Those are the days when I want to pull the covers up over my head and forget the world exists.
I still try to be polite to people when I go out since it’s not their fault I’m having a not so great day. 🙂
Thank you for this – it was much needed.
Thank you!
Thank you, hope y’all are hanging in there as well
That’s too funny. Some days are definitely better than others, and I’ve had a few of the others this week. Not the whole day, just the portions where I have time to think too much. I’m going to work on plans for projects now because looking behind me is not helping. The regional orchid show is coming up in a few weeks and I will be chuckling to myself as I tour it. Thanks for sharing that.
oh I am in the frame of mind where I’m saying to myself, “If you contradict me, the subject matter expert, one more time, I will beat you with my laptop.” I had to take a quiet moment with my eyes closed and practice some deep breathing on this one. It’s a good thing I’m WFH today, and I’m getting a 3 day weekend. Now breathe in…. aaaand out.
Another delightful anecdote to make your readers smile. So many times you bring a little joy into people’s lives. Thank you. Xx
Thanks, I needed that.
This really resonated with me today. I have been so busy at work but I feel that everything I’m doing is irrelevant fluff. Thank you HA
This was for me. Seriously. How did you know?!
This was literally the post right before this one on fb. I had to scroll back quickly because I thought maybe I was reading it incorrectly. ????
It’s a famous quote ????.
“…a sad little potato. ” I love that description! It’s just how I feel when I realize I’m resentful, being an under-appreciated volunteer taking on too much. Now I can laugh at that picture in my head and work to reframe the situation or – better yet – stand up for myself and ask for help.
If all else fails, I lose myself in a HA book or spend a couple of hours quilling.
Thank you.
Thank you, I needed that today. This is EXACTLY how my final project is going.
“very stupid & hate everybody & everything. One lives only to make blunders.”
“I hate them worse than everything so farewell & in a sweet frame of mind”
My loathing for this assignment is unfathomable.
That is the second reference to this quote I have heard this week so I’m going to assume the universe would like me to pay attention. Thank you!
Neat! I almost bought an orchid about an hour ago but it wasn’t exotic enough and the seedling room will be full soon anyway
Thank you. I needed this. It’s been a week of going through evidence and reliving trauma for a court case and I’m spent. This helps. ????
Sounds like there are a lot of people on here who could use a break and a nice surprise. Jessie Mihalik is doing a short serial on her website, so far there are two chapters out and it’s a really fun read! https://www.jessiemihalik.com/story/books-broadswords/
Oooooh, thanks for the heads up!
It’s a great read! Can’t wait to read the next chapter to find out what happens to the knight. ????
oooo I’ll check it out! Thanks for the link!
Super cute story! Thanks!
Great post.
Feeling poorly ????Allergies
Darned wind and pollen
I live in New Zealand and working House and Contents claims. We have had 3 major weather events one after the other and most of the North Island is in ruins. I am helping with claims for people who have lost everything and it is very emotionally draining.
Not quite hating everyone but do feel poorly and stupid.
that is my pity party and hope everyone else is doing ok.
I read about the storms and then the earthquake! I am so sorry. Sending good thoughts from the US West Coast. I have very fond memories of visiting both islands on my honeymoon. Are there any relief funds that can help those who lost everything?
You are doing such important work, Dallas! Wishing you all the strength!
Courage BDH member. I read about the cyclone, flooding, and the earthquake that hit. Keep up the important work you do. Stay safe!
It’s ok to feel that way so long it doesn’t take over your daily life. Hugs.
So sorry to hear about this. Wishing you all the positive energy.
There is another NZ connection here in that John Murray was married to Katherine Mansfield.
Sending you strength and appreciation. I recently had to make an insurance claim for a major loss (though not as major as a home) and it was such an enormous gift that the person who handled my claim was kind and sympathetic and treated me like a human being. I’m sure the people you are working with appreciate you very much.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.
Best wishes for a swift recovery.
Second time I’ve seen this referenced today, and I still find it comforting. I have a lot on my to-do list and am recovering from a norovirus. I am taking rests between my baby steps today.
I loved studying biology and marine biology while in school. It’s fascinating.
The next time I’m having one of those days I’ll try to take a breath and remind myself 8f this quote- thank you for sharing.
He struggled over barnacles too which eventually helped strengthen his theory of natural selection. Yay, Darwin!
So very cool! Thanks!
This helps. Like, a lot.
I’m student teaching. My instructor came in to observe me with my kiddos today, and it…it could have gone better.
Been there! If your instructor is realistic, it probably went better than you think.
I really needed this post today.
I’ve had the flu all week with a super high fever and have just felt like crap. That means that I missed work, and college teachers do not have substitutes called in to replace them.
I have had to either impose on colleagues or cancel classes for three days. I definitely felt poorly and stupid about that.
Hope you feel better soon. The flu is a major hassle. Imposing on others when we’re sick should not feel nearly as bad as it does.
What a beautiful thing to say. Thank you for saying it (well for bringing what he said to us and giving it context).