Day One: New Habits

A walk, first thing this morning. Before coffee, before looking in the mirror. It had rained overnight so it was cool, gray and very quiet. As I walked, it seemed the bicycles were faster, the cars slower, the birds louder and colors more vibrant. A great way to start my day. Remember that.

I dreamed last night I had three giant hams in the refrigerator; my daughter sent me a package of bright blue lacy beans and a bunch of peeled carrots. The ham was disgusting. I was working on trying to get an art show installed, brought from Chicago. I sat on a sofa and smoked a joint with one of the managers helping me get the show, which was a very long (as in 50 yards or so) canvas. My LipSense lipstick made the end of the joint bright red.

Reality: my daughter did send me a bag of beans for Mother's Day but I haven't opened it yet. I know how much she loves her bean club, so for her to send me a bag of them is especially meaningful. No, I won't cook them with ham!

I met Jennifer for a glass of wine and a burger last night at Fleming's. She was exhausted from her week of jury duty. It was an early night for both of us.

I'm working on teaching my cat to love the automatic cat feeder. We're both still learning. My goal is for her to not wake me up at 6 a.m. for food and to not sit on the counter when she's hungry. During the day, she runs to the feeder when she hears it open up and then is very cautious until she can smell the food. So far she is not hearing it at 6 a.m. (only two mornings).

CAT UPDATE
She has an afternoon meal scheduled for 3:00. Today at 2:58 she got up from her nap, went over and sat in front of the feeder to wait. Wow!

Six Years? Really?

When I read my past postings, it makes me realize how much more in tune with my life I am when I write. More mindful of what I do. More observant of what I see. I believe I see or at least acknowledge more beauty around me. But writing takes time and somehow I let time get away. I'm writing today because I want to start the habit again. Tom is en route to Scotland for a guys bucket trip. Seven days of golf in a nine day trip. I have ten days to look at my habits without any consideration whatsoever to someone else's habits, needs, or schedule. I'll see what happens.

I encouraged Tom to keep a journal of his trip. What he eats, things he sees, experiences, etc., so he can (1) remember everything, and (2) tell me all about it. I told him I'd keep a journal of what I do. Mine will be considerably different than his.

So far, here's what today looks like. When I got home from taking Tom to the airport, I trimmed the abelia shrubs in the back beds and the remaining side of the hedge. I didn't clean them up. I hate cleaning them up. I love to trip. I decided I would let Ralph do the cleanup when he puts down the final stack of mulch. I also trimmed a few things in the front, but I did clean that up sine it's in the front of the house and on the sidewalk. I came inside and finished a square on my art page of 2x2 squares.

I feel a little at loose ends. Like there are too many things to do. Where to start. Can I really learn to relax?