February, 12, 2023

Daily Diary, Day 894:

I ended up with 952 words written yesterday, almost reached my 1000 word goal. This morning has been spent doing the thorough cleaning downstairs. I did this during the 2 dog walks my husband does in the morning. During his first shorter walk, I dusted thoroughly (with air purifier on), and got started cleaning the kitchen. Then, in between walks, we ordered groceries, and I cleaned more of the kitchen, cleaned the downstairs bathroom, and soaked my eye (and listed to the Deborah Crombie, really enjoying.)

Yesterday, I did the soaks for 15 minutes, 4 times, and I think that helped. But I just realized this meant a hour on this task by the end of the day. All about maintenance of body and house!

During the second walk, I stripped off all the dog blankets and couch covers to wash, dust mopped the hardwood floors, wet mopped the kitchen and den floors, put back on clean couch covers and blankets.

And, I just finished all these chores before my husband got home. Now, I've poured some tea, and I am doing this post as I cool down. I spent a total of two and a half hours- on my feet, bending, twisting, and going up and down the stairs to the laundry room. Definitely a decent level of exercise—I actually had to take off my sweatshirt because I was getting over heated! Now for a shower, and enjoy everything being clean for a nanosecond! I do get some satisfaction cleaning, but I also understand why people in general don't enjoy--hard to do things that then have to be done all over again, before you know it.

I have a phone call scheduled for later this afternoon, but I should be able to get an hour or two of writing time today. Given that the morning is pretty much gone, I thought for a moment whether I should just make this a day off from writing.

Then I went, nah, that is really what I would rather do with those couple of hours than anything else. That’s my benchmark. I check in with myself every day or so, make sure I am still writing fiction (and writing these posts) primarily for enjoyment, not as some sort of job or duty. If the answer is yes, then off I go!

Obviously, no walk today, and here is the last bloom I have to upload, so I better get off on a walk tomorrow so I will have something to post! For those of you who like to watch the super bowl, or the half-time show, or like the excuse for a party. Have fun.