Thursday, May 21, 2020

Me Today

Today was an unexpectedly beautiful Springtime Day in NEO. Sunshine broke through the cloud cover, no rain threatened, only a light breeze stirred the vibrant green leaves newly burgeoning after so much rain. After I ran my two errands--fully masked, my hand sanitizer at the ready in my car--I came home to a Joyful Task. I was finally going to get everything out on the front porch. My patio out back was already done (and had gotten snowed on twice!), but it isn't really The Season until my bright red, vintage metal chairs are out. Once I was done putting out all my furniture and doodads, I sat out there and read and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon.

I did move to the back patio at one point to enjoy the birds, get a little sun, and escape the sound of lawnmowers and leafblowers. What a gorgeous day!

Today, I am:

Wearing--My Uniform. Black leggings, black Skechers slip-ons, and a long-sleeved top, this one a swingy V-necked white tee with narrow black horizontal stripes. Yes, I do remember way, way back when I said I'd never, ever wear leggings in public. What can I say? I've learned to never say Never, I can tell you that.

Reading--Educated by Tara Westover. I am enjoying it very much, but I seem to be on a run of books about women who grew up in eccentric homes with mentally ill fathers. I'm just so thrilled to be reading again!

Working On--As always, Maintaining My Zen.

Hearing--More lawnmowers. A dog barking. Birds. The dog barking is making me think of Zydrunas, who now resides three doors down. I may have to walk down and see if he can come out in the yard so that I can have some Z time.

Making For Dinner--It's already late in the day, and dinner is made. I made tuna pasta and peas. It's chilling now as I type. Rick drove some stuff down to the lake in preparation for the long weekend, so we will be eating late. I'm thinking of sticking a bottle of sauvignon blanc in the freezer so it will be cold in time.

Thinking About--Making better use of my mornings. I've fallen back into some bad habits.

Planning--I've really come to hate planning. It stresses me something fierce. I prefer not to plan, which I know is ridiculous in The Real Adult World. Still--not a fan and would Rather Not.

And there you are! That's Me, just for Today. Do have a lovely weekend.

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26 comments:

  1. I have a copy of Educated in my TBR pile. Will get to it when my desire to read returns. I've never worn leggings, I'm more of a blue jeans chick. I like SV as I recently wrote about. Like you I'm tired of planning and am avoiding it when possible. Happy weekend to you. Enjoy!

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    1. Ally Bean--I heard about Educated from President Obama. I got it for Christmas, and I'm just now getting to it since my own Desire has returned like gangbusters.

      I wear leggings during the winter especially for the warmth. And now for the ease, both of wear and of not having to figure out what to wear. I have rarely found a pair of jeans that fit me well and comfortably and that allow me to sit all folded up the way I do. Leggings to the rescue.

      We did end up having the sauv blanc, and it was terrific. Here's hoping we both have a relaxing, spontaneously great weekend.

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    2. leggings so much easier on the eyes than the pajama bottoms, socks and Adidas slides;(jeans don't like me or vice versa. Enjoy your porch view!

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    3. susan q--I suppose leggings are kind of the Respectable PJs of the Public World. But I do make the effort to make them into a complete outfit.

      The older I get, the less I like bluejeans. They make me so cold in the winter. The waistband never hits me at the right spot and gaps uncomfortably when I sit, but feels restrictive other times. I can't sit all folded up on the couch in them. They just aren't comfy for life.

      (You already knew that, right?) I hope you're enjoying your view of the weekend, too.

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  2. I loved the book, Educated. I'm amazed by Tara.

    If I ever wore leggings it would have to be with a full length bathrobe. Everyone says they are so comfortable but to me comfort is a pair Champion brand jersey knit pants.

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    1. Jean--I'm about a third of the way into Educated. It's very reminiscent of Glass Castles by Jeannette Walls. Both women overcome a twisted and inherently dangerous childhood informed by a mentally ill father. Their insight and self-awareness are impressive. It's really incredible how some kids can adapt and flourish, despite their circumstances.

      LOL on the bathrobe. I understand. You stick with your own comfort.

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  3. Mmmmmmmmmmmm...tuna pasta. I think that just went on the menu for next week.

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    1. Dee--I really like it, and despite the fact that tuna (we use the solid white albacore) has gone way up around here, it still makes a very inexpensive and delicious meal. Glad to give you a dinner idea!

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  4. Thanks for the tip on the book Educated. Sounds like I should read that book. I did like Glass Castles so Educated sounds interesting to me. I will check my library...
    I find I can waste A LOT of time - usually spend hours reading blogs each day!! But I learn so much and always find a connection or a laugh, so I feel it is worthwhile time for me.
    Thanks for posting!

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    1. Ellen--If you liked Glass Castles, you'll find Educated to be very good. It's more writerly than GC, but that's what I appreciated most about it. It's more...meditative.

      My bad morning habit is reading so much online. I start with the newspaper and then branch out from there to online news sources and blogs and then I kind of go all over the place. Thank heaven I'm not on social media or it would be much more of a problem.

      Like you, I do find humour and valuable nuggets, but I need to get started with my day much sooner. I can get online later, after things get accomplished.

      You're so kind to thank me! I appreciate that, and I'm trying to get back to weekly posts. It feels good to be encouraged.

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  5. I love tuna pasta! I have fat knees (even at my goal weight), so I've always avoided leggings. And as a pear shape I usually want to accentuate my one good feature (my waist), & wearing tunics & leggings has seemed counter to that. BUT last year I got ONE pair & have received some compliments, so maybe I'll get some more. We shall see.

    I keep getting Educated recommended to me. If I can EVER finish my current queue of books I'll add it to the list.

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    1. Bug--You have to feel comfortable in what you wear, that's for sure. I don't go for the wild print leggings, preferring the basic black.

      I have a shorter stack of books right now, thanks to my reading fire re-lighting. I keep my eyes and ears open for new recommendations, though. I read in the NYT that there is a new Lincoln book, focusing on his second inaugural and the time around that. It's 600+ pages! Whatever can there be that's "new" to say that much about such a brief time?

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  6. It was very fun to read your replies in this format!! I have heard many say Educated is great. I am reading a fairy tale! ha. i m hiding from adult books!

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    1. kathy b--Oh, thank you. I understand what you mean about needing some lighter reading every now and then. That's where I am with Netflix. I won't watch anything heavy, dark, or too involving. I can't put my brain there.

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  7. Never had tuna pasta, but it sounds easy and yummy. (I love pasta with *anything* pretty much, so it's hard to go wrong there.)

    No time for reading these days, alas... COVID-19 has tripled my workload this spring, and with summer and fall planning + remote teaching in the summer + attending (right after my first summer course) an online course my boss wanted me to take on teaching Spanish to heritage speakers. Didn't discover until I signed up that it was every day for a week from *9-4*. I hope they allow for several bathroom breaks for old ladies, lol!

    I live in leggings, and have done for years. So comfy. Having shed 40 lbs. over the last 2 years, I also look more respectable in them, lol. Too bad I’m so old that nobody bats an eyelash anyway.

    Leafblowers: I hate ‘em. Can’t we just have piles and piles of mulch lying around? The noise pollution is unbearable. The ones they use at the uni are gasoline-powered which just adds another layer of assault on the senses; I have to cover my nose when I walk past just to keep from gagging. From the point of view of aesthetics, I get that things look a little tidier for a short time after they do this, but all it takes is a strong wind to blow everything back where it was if they haven’t had time to scoop it all up and bag it. And let’s not even talk about the absurdity of using these When. It. Is. Actually. Raining. WTH?! Been there and seen that. Nuts!!
    (And, yeah, that’s how I really feel, lol!!)

    To heck with planning. I have to do it out of necessity but prefer to think of it as ‘organizing’ – haha. Glad you are enjoying the sunshine and back into books… XXOO

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    1. Ortizzle--That class schedule is brutal. I realize it's just for a week, but 9-4 is a freaking JOB. If there is Group Work...UGH.

      Your weight loss is tremendous. As far as no one looking at you, maybe wear a crop top with no bra. LOL.

      There are so many loud power thingies that men love to use. My father hated them all as well. He never used a power mower, and even when he turned over lawnmowing to my brother, he refused to get a mower that made noise. It was forever a rotary mower for us.
      The worst thing of all is a power washer. Once anyone starts with one of those, it goes on for hours and hours as they begin to haul out any single thing they can think of to power wash. I have actually left--gone on a drive--just to get away from power washers.

      I'm so glad to hear that you are well. You and I both know that Organizing is the key to staying sane in Education. Do take some time for yourself--MAKE some time for yourself. XXOO

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  8. I do hope the weather continues to inspire you to be outside. Although annoying, the hum of a lawn mower and a barking dog means life is going on; which is wonderful.
    SV is my absolute favorite wine.
    Leggings are awesome; but I'm more of a shorts girl....gym shorts lately even if I'm not visiting the gym.
    Enjoy your long weekend.

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    1. Busy Bee Suz--I love to be outdoors in my yard or on my porch (or on my daily walk) whenever I can. My father instilled in all of us a great love for and reverence of Nature. I find it not only inspiring but soothing.

      Glad to know of another sauv blanc fan. There are a lot of us here at the Dept.

      I will be wearing shorts for the first time today! We are headed well into the upper 80s with high humidity. Definitely NOT legging weather. So much for Spring! Summer is here.

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  9. I finished cleaning up our garden and put the chairs and table out, so we can hopefully sit out there on Sunday and Monday to enjoy it before the ick of summer arrives!

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    1. Bridget--Hamlet will be so happy! Isn't it nice to have an outdoor space all set up?

      I looked at our forecast (upper 80s with some high humidity already!) and honestly, I thought of you. "Bridget's SAD would kick right in," I said to myself.

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  10. I would rather not plan too! We are meeting Colin & Mailing at their house for a walk and then (gasp!!) having dinner with them! It has been so long, I'm really looking forward to it. I am trying not to think of next week which starts budget reviews at work and (most likely) means every day in the office. Yikes!!

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    1. Vera--You do so much planning at work that planning at home feels like overload at times, I'll bet. I know that's why I don't like planning so much now, as a retired teacher.

      A dinner with Colin & Mailing will be such a treat for you. Maybe it will be enough to carry you through a bit of your busy times at work next week. Why such unpleasantness after a long weekend? Perhaps they think you've rested up!

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  11. Sounds like you are on top of things! If you were at the lake this weekend hope you had a wonderful time. Stay safe.

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    1. Meredith--The nice weather motivates me. We are at the lake, and it's been summery and relaxing. We're both well and doing what we must to stay that way. You are, I know, doing the same.

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  12. Oh, spring when it finally arrived in Ohio. I remember the joy of it. Sounds like you really have the spirit.

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    1. Joared--I do, even though we've moved right on into Summer now, with our temps into the upper 80s and soppy humidity. I had to put on the AC, even. We should slip back into true Spring in a few days, and I can open up the windows and enjoy fresh breezes.

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