Wednesday

 Good morning, everyone.  Light is just dawning here; it was an early wake up this morning but I slept like a log so no problems.  We're not predicted to have much sun today but you never know.  I live in hope!

Yesterday didn't really go according to plan but it was pretty much all my decision.  The swimming notification did ping through but, unfortunately, far too late for me to do anything about it.  I decided I didn't fancy garden centre shopping in the least, so I didn't.

Then Dad cancelled his chat because he was expecting some people in to do repairs.  I pretty much expected that anyway and we do exchange emails pretty much every day.  Only a month before I can go over and stay again - I'm so looking forward to that.

Then it was dentist and it was what I thought.  A discussion, a scan, some planning and the implant treatment starts at the end of May.  It could have started next Monday but I want to have my holiday first, just in case it causes any problems.  It shouldn't, but you know me and dentists!

I've been thinking quite carefully about the way ahead as we come out of lockdown.  While HAVING to stay inside and not go to places has been difficult at times, I have really appreciated the way my pace of life has slowed and settled and how little pressure to go here, do that, see someone, plan, prepare, etc, I have had.  I don't want to go back there again.
I know it's a very fortunate position to be in but I do have choices and want to try not to feel pressured into doing too many things too often.  

One thing I have considered is the tuition.  That all stopped when lockdown came along, of course.  I didn't do online tuition, partly because I didn't feel confident about delivering the sort of thing I do online and partly because I reckoned the poor parents had enough to be getting on with getting their kids through school work!
I've decided that I won't actively be taking it up again.  If the parents of my students before lockdown want me to continue, then I will - it's time limited as I don't go beyond primary anyway but I won't be looking for more students.
I've had one definite request and one 'probable but getting back to me' but I haven't heard from anyone else.
I loved the tuition but it was taking increasing chunks out of my week what with planning, preparing resources, marking, evaluating, etc.  Having that lockdown break has helped me to re-evaluate.

At the moment, I have (in no particular order):
my social life, both online and face to face in the garden, weather permitting
garden and allotment
facebook (I help to admin a number of groups) and other social media stuff
the health and fitness side of things - personal training, swimming and gym plus other bits and bobs
all the stuff associated with daily living - housework and so on
my hobbies . . . knitting sewing, etc.

Plus, in the near future:
visits to Dad
potentially, a couple of tuition sessions each week

I reckon that's more or less enough, don't you?  I want (I need) time to be just me, to potter, wander, imagine, read, think, meditate - all that sort of thing.  Just to stand and stare . . .

As the poem goes:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait, till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Enough of this navel gazing.  I have a few plans for today.

I need to spend an hour or so on the house, getting some stuff tidied up and sorted out and to prepare the guest room as Beth and Alex will be staying overnight on Saturday (allowed as they are bubble support buddies).

Usually I have personal training on Wednesdays but Lindsey is on a course today and we couldn't find a slot where we are both free (ooops) so I'll be doing it at the gym instead, seeing if I can remember how to use those scary machines.

Then I'm driving over to Val's and we hope to go on the Cressing Temple for a walk around the grounds and the Elizabethan walled garden.  Cressing Temple is lovely and I haven't been for ages.

And that's it as far as must do is concerned.  I have reading, knitting, etc, and there are a few naughty weeds showing in the garden as well as some dead heading.

What are your plans for today?  xx