Getting things done or…

NOT!

It was a lazier than lazy day – did my horoscope predict this, who knows, but in any case even though I had slept well I awoke lacking the essential energy to “get things done”, a term that usually means cleaning, sorting, book keeping, washing etc. and not the more pleasant aspects of life such as sending cards to friends, having lunch or coffee etc.

I managed coffee with M – for the first time in a long time as either I have been gone or she busy.

But most admit that upon my return home I played a few computer games, finished my current novel then, on the spur of the moment and because the lovely weather outside had me feeling guilty about not being out, took a walk before doing a spot of shopping including buying the fixings for salad for lunch (another thing that I hadn’t done in awhile).

After lunch there was the need to relax: the view from both the chair in my bedroom as well as from one side of the bed is great.

Then it was time for my afternoon coffee followed by cocktails with friends and catching up: for the first time we found ourselves without any of the adult children, weird, but fun.

TV and more reading and the day was done.

Babette has the right idea - a nap in the sun

Nothing useful got “done” yet I lived well yesterday and, all things said and done, isn’t that the point in life – to enjoy it!

Lunch in the Park or…

A lovely spring day.

A great combination: errands needing to be run, things needing to go to younger son’s flat and time to leisurely have lunch.

It was a beautiful day and all went well so I decided that I deserved lunch at the Botanical Gardens. If my first round didn’t produce a parking, the second had someone pulling out right in front of me close the entrance: it was meant to be!

There were tables in the sun protected from the wind, the meal was delicious (I discovered this restaurant several months ago, but rarely have time to get there) and the walk in the park thereafter produced a few photos of the first timid flowers.

Having enjoyed all of these even the drive in stop-and-go traffic upon the return didn’t phase me as there was the view of the lake and Mont Blanc to be enjoyed.

Absolutely delicious - a mixed salad as well.

One of the crocus spots in front of the former bird cage

crocus

Joy in a jar

Now I do realize that this is the International day of the Woman, but the jar I am talking about has nothing to do with cosmetics or the fact that it is “our” day.

No, this is the wonderful, ever so pleasant surprise of last Sunday morning.

My younger son had cleaned out and sorted yet more items and handed me a few jars of jam as he is no longer eating sugar nor did he ever eat much jam. I didn’t pay any attention until I took a look that morning: among them was a small jar of Elderberry jelly.  Now there is only one person I know that makes Elderberry jam – my brother-in-law’s mother. How Scott ended up with one – and when – is totally immaterial as it was still perfect when I opened it. My Sunday breakfast was not only tasty, but filled with good will towards N – long may she thrive… and make Elderberry jam. Her other specialty is popcorn balls and the memory of those is enough to make me salivate as well.

Indeed joy in a jar.

Elderberry jam by N.M.

Virtual purchases or….

Some of my favorite things.

My generation of course remembers very well the song in Sound of Music where Julie Andrews sings “My Favorite Things” – one of my favorite paragraphs in that is

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things.”

Maybe that is partially responsible for my wrapping presents in brown paper!

In any case we all have “things” that we like: things that we see that not only are out of our budgets, but also probably won't fit in with our current housing, lifestyle, etc.

I have a friend who whilst in an antique store or at the flea market picks out pieces of furniture (price no object here), pictures and other items for her imaginary manor.

Recently I attended a great secondhand goods fair and was very pleased with myself at the end of the visit when I had purchased nothing! However I did have my favorites and have collected them virtually, i.e. took pictures, so still have the pleasure if not the actual item.

 This procedure has possibilities!

A lovely large chair

Oil and Vinegar jars

Glass pitcher

a beautiful children's chair

Perfect for my garden, but couldn't find
a price never mind how to transport it!

My favorites, but small and very expensive

Time flies – and so do I or…

Yet another spill.

I had managed a whole 14 months without taking a tumble so guess that it was too good to be true!

This morning I managed to break that record: whilst coming up on the sidewalk after having crossed the street there were two women discussing so I didn’t watch my feet and caught the tip of my right toe on the curb – flat on my face.

I am not a pretty sight nor will I be for some time, but the good news is that

• I saw no stars
• Nor the moon
• My face although scraped raw right down the middle needed no surgery (now some might accuse me of doing this on purpose so that I can have esthetic surgery, but those who themselves have had surgery know very well, that unless absolutely a medical necessity the very thought becomes an anathema).
• Didn’t break either glasses, teeth or nose
• Didn’t re-break the arm – a bit sore tonight I must admit
• Scraped one knee but not badly
• My fat lip will perhaps help me not eat so much in the next few days (right – the thought is good, but I am sure that I will find a way around the fact).

Did finally let myself be talked into going to emergency care – and as a precaution had x-rays of my neck and vertebra – all in order.  And did you know that to get a decent picture of the last one in one’s neck that one needs to tilt one’s head slightly back and open one’s mouth as widely as possible? Yet another bit of knowledge that I could perhaps have done without.

So maybe I should take flying lessons: if both time and I are going to take wings perhaps we need strong ones!

Who needs a stiff upper lip when one has a fat lower one?