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I'm not very good at self-care, I admit. Some things that relax me are getting a massage or soaking in a hot bathtub, but I usually feel guilty for "wasting time" that way. Reading a good book in the evening is also a good way to relax, and with very little guilt. I meditate and journal for 30-45 minutes each morning, and that's always a good way to start the day. I also walk pretty much daily--on the wooded trails near our home, if I can--and try to do Pilates twice a week. Those are all good things to do, but probably the best way to keep myself sane is to take on projects. I've rediscovered crochet and sewing this year and have made a lot of gifts for family: beanies, poncho, crocheted beach bag, sets of cotton table napkins, a craft bag, etc. The reason these are good for my sanity is because it distracts my mind from everyday cares. Doing something physical with my hands that also requires some thinking is the best strategy. On September 12, 2001, I bought paint and started painting our bedroom. It was better than watching the jet plow into the World Trade Center for the 311th time. The day after the election this week, I bought fabric and cut out the pieces for a tote bag that I'll sew over the next week or so, while I avoid the news. But probably the most extreme (and most successful) strategy I've used was to have eye surgery on Thursday (vitrectomy, to correct a macular pucker). Talk about getting your mind off the news! Surgery does the trick! Of course, there's only so much surgery a person can elect to have, but whatever. My tote bag will have to wait a few days until my vision improves and the eye patch comes off, but it gives me something to look forward to--and that's more than I can say about election news. --Janice
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Routine is a great way for me to normalize. I sleep 9 hours (this is usual for me for my lifetime) and then do stretches and a few exercises after waking. I have a cup of real tea and a bowl of Irish cut oatmeal, covered with whatever fruit is in season. Depending on the weather I go on a bikeride daily, and then clean up. To fill my day I will work on 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles, clean the house, watch CNN and knit, read a little, write a little, and bake bread or make complicated foods for dinner. Oh, and I also end up spending time helping Ed with his telemedicine computer glitches. That’s my routine. It keeps me sane. However, it is inevitable that I will need more than just routine to keep me sane. I walk outside many times a day to talk to my flowers, or to pinch off the old blossoms. This time of year I am digging up and transplanting some to new locations. I miss this in the winter, and so am concentrating on enjoying it now. If I need even more help. I will make a podcast for the internet. I will get in the car and drive to the drive-in window at the bank, or to Reasors to pick up groceries at the drive through. Sometimes I just scream! --Cynthia What a good time that was! I remember the Carnivals that the PTA put on in our school yard. Lights were strung across the yard, booths for ring toss games, catch a little yellow duck in the water pool and cake walks. It seemed like the whole school was there, happy and having fun. We could run down to the school three blocks from our home. We went out in groups of 3 or 4 kids to Trick or Treat. We could roam several blocks from home to visit any house that had a porch light on and were greeted by adults that seemed happy to hand out treats. One house gave out nickels which really dates how long ago that was! Costumes were made up from what we had on hand; dress-up clothes came into play as well as anything else we could scrounge. Dressing as gypsies was fun and hobos were pretty standard. I don't remember my brothers going as they were 5 & 6 years younger. Halloween has had a real revival with folks in the past few years. The 1950's kids remember it as fun and are reclaiming it as adults. Staid, quiet Lonnie loved to dress-up and have fun with it. He met me for lunch at Wendy's one Halloween and I didn't recognize him as a biker with a big black beard! In my work in home-health I usually had some type of small costume piece for my clients. --donna |
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January 2022
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