Welcome to my Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Allison at Eclectic Ali. This is the week I started my true relaxation and “detox” from stress, including occasional half-cup-of coffee days. I’m writing here and there, but I have no set deadlines this summer.
I do have goals, though. Staying healthy and not feeling stiff or pained every day are two of the biggest. The issue came up last week when my boyfriend and I went on a four hour drive to the memorial for my best friend’s husband. I get stiff just from sitting in a car for those few hours, and we came back the next afternoon.
Friends are also family.
It was an emotional visit, but this visit was also very life-affirming. I’ve known my friend since age 13. We know so much about each other and have seen each other through some really hard times. We’ve been separated many times by circumstances and distance. Her second husband recently became ill and was hospitalized at the end. He was one of the best husbands in my opinion, even though I only met him once. She loved him very much, and everything she said at the memorial just showed she was full of appreciation for her time with him and relief that his pain was over. In other words, she was not a basket case at all. Her husband, whom she has known five to six years and been married to for three, had been sick in the last two years. Near the end, he developed a rare disease, calciphylaxis, and was in the hospital for most of this last year. It breaks my heart, but in talking with her I could see that she wasn’t dwelling on the sorrow, and instead was focusing on the wonderful times they had together. I want to make sure to go and see her or spend time with her more often.
After returning, I’ve been setting a lot of appointments this week. Routine stuff, and I made it to yoga twice in one week! I felt great after yesterday’s class, but I feel sore today, so maybe I just have to get used to it. I also went and tried out a place called Stretch Zone that does assisted stretch. I decided I’d go back, so I purchased a month’s package to see how I improve after that month. “Spend all you have for loveliness,” someone said, somewhere. I used to spend it on vacations and concerts, now I am having to invest in being healthy and a whole person. In my opinion, well worth it! It’ll make my next vacation more enjoyable. I also took my furbaby to get a haircut yesterday. Yeah, he knows he’s handsome. 🙂
Beside that and binge-watching The Handmaid’s Tale, I’ve been working with a narrator to get Detours in Time onto audio, and after that, Undercurrents in Time as well! I’m trying to finish the Malachi manuscript, but I find I get pretty stiff when sitting in the same place for too long (as mentioned above). Sometimes I stand near the kitchen counter and type. I will be posting some brief excerpts in the next week or two! In reading, I’m alternating between a Kindle book and its audio. That seems to work with my goal of not being too still. Please pray for me so I can get this book finished! I think I am incorporating a good plan to keep moving.
I hope you all have a great week and are enjoying your summer. Happy Pride month to those of you who are, or have a friend or loved one that is, LGBTQ. Happy summer to all!
pamelascanepa 