Getting Back to the Basics Part Deux

Getting back into the swing of things today meant making two batches of homemade pickled eggs and baking a loaf of my homemade malt bread.

We got our afternoon walk in today and the weather was great. Often our area can be windy. There is one corner where we turn where we automatically pull our zippers up and prepare for the icy and windy blast that we know is coming.

I made sure to cook a healthy meal of tilapia and roasted vegetable for the family. We really enjoy this way of eating. Everything cooks on one sheet pan and always comes out delicious.

We received a pic and text from friends who are vacationing in Montego Bay, Jamaica while we were eating. They were chowing down on steak and seafood. Happy for them, but also very jealous. Glad they are having a great experience.

Almost immediately after we got another text from a different friend telling us they were trapped on a GO Train for some reason or another, (usually a fatality, but hopefully a train equipment failure), and eventually got home two hours longer than they should have.

So jealous of one set of friends, and happy not to be stranded like the other.

Last night I was walking on the treadmill as a writing break for about half and hour. After half and hour, I started to feel tired and couldn't figure out why. Then it dawned on me that walking on the treadmill is like walking up hill at a constant rate. Our lunch walk is flat, at least the route we take this time of year.

I’ve got a bunch of writing to catch up on tonight. I am down in the basement in my new ‘temporary’ office. On the plus side there aren’t many distractions down here and there is a treadmill to jump on during any mini breaks. On the downside, the basement is unfinished and a little chilly. To solve these issues, I have acquired some fuzzy house slippers, which I have named my ‘John and Jody’ slippers after our friends who always bring slippers for any of our gatherings.

I purchased a small space heater, mostly to take the edge off the initial chill, as well as a variety of what I call old man sweaters, which I am really leaning into in the time of my life.

My preference is to wear the Irish style of Aran sweaters. Although, like I've heard from most women who own pants, I wish there was at least one pocket.

Everyday I make the space a little more of my own and a little more comfortable. It’s nice to have a dedicated space for writing no matter what that space is.

On another note, I have managed to curb my zero-calorie soft drink habit down to one per day. I think there is only a few cans left in the fridge and after they are gone it will be cans of Perrier and various types of teas. There will be occasional cups of Nespresso now and again as well, particularly when I need that caffeine boost for a writing all-nighter.

It’s 10:30 pm.

Time to jump onto the writing computer and start a new story.

Until tomorrow.