Remember?

Like many people I live in fear of forgetting things. I work better from lists so I can check off what I’ve done and focus on what is before me. Sometimes I forget to make lists.

I waste a lot of time by forgetting. I’ll be ready to get to work on a project and realize that I have to go back into the shop to get a tool. Then I forget the right size screw and I go back again, then I find I’m missing a part and search for that and end up going to the hardware store. It’s a wonder I ever get anything done.

I forget my sister’s birthday every year. Even if I mark it on the calendar I forget get. I no longer try to remember phone numbers; not even my own cell phone number. I have no idea what my license plate number is.

I went grocery shopping with a list last night. I know my list is only an impression of what I think I need to get, but I always forget to add things. There was something in the back of my head that was nagging me that I was forgetting something that I’ve been needing to get for weeks that never makes it onto my list because I keep forgetting it. It was something made of paper. I went through a mental list of paper products that are available. I don’t use paper plates, napkins, or cups. I don’t buy newspapers anymore; the Oregonian is all fluff and the Astorian is totally a biased propaganda hand puppet of its publisher. I didn’t need a sketch pad.

In a flash I remembered I needed envelopes and furthermore it jogged my memory to remind me I needed power steering fluid. I felt good that my memory finally worked but was soon returned to reality when I got home and realized I forgot to get postage stamps.

Oh, and before you suggest I use Ginko Biloba, I have a bottle of it and I always forget to take it.