the view from Sunday – marginalia and such

the view from Sunday: 1.26.20

coffee, breakfast, time in the SO’s garden.

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the view from Sunday: lazy, productive day

Trying to get back to a regular routine after a few weeks of unscheduled life. I’ve noticed that I get particularly depressed during the summer, especially when it comes to staying productive and taking care of myself. It’s too hot and it makes me miserable. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve stayed home for most of the day and just lived.

Tidied, vacuumed, meal-planned, and worked on the current draft.

I even burned a candle.

Feels pretty good.

the view from Sunday: July 7, 2019

Happy Sunday! It’s been a while since I’ve written one of these posts (I even removed the category). Maybe I’ll turn it into a thing again. Anyhow, editing of the “Sea Story” has officially begun. Kitty is happy to lounge among my mess of planners and documents.

This is what happens when I clear my desk.

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the view from Sunday: March declutter

I’ve managed to keep a fairly streamlined collection since my first round of KonMari de-cluttering, but times change and things that sparked joy no longer spark. Rather than hold on to every thing, I’ve learned to let go and edit on a regular basis.

Here are the results of my latest round:

A quick review of my closet revealed a few items that I failed to reach for this winter, or which no longer fit as I prefer. The two smaller bags are items from my makeup collection that I cannot donate or share, and a few bits of paper and miscellany clutter that needs to go.

A review of my unmentionables revealed some items that no longer serve, whether because the fit is off or the fabric is too worn.

I use a diffuser to scent my home on most nights, but sometimes I just like the look and feel of a candle. Because candles come with jars, I’ve amassed a fair number of them. I’m getting rid of these, but looking to rehome or recycle where possible.

Decorative pillows and stuffed toys from the ikea bin. I have a weakness for cute pillows, but these serve no purpose beyond gathering dust. I traded them in favor of the toys and pillows that I do use (mostly to prop my arm up while I sleep).

Not pictured: the freestanding mini elliptical machine I bought two years ago in an effort to move more during writing days and have an alternative to outdoor walks during the rainy season. I used it for a few weeks and found that I didn’t like it, but it was too late to return it. It’s too large for me to try to sell it, and I can’t stand seeing it gather dust. I set it on the curb and hope someone picks it up. It’s wasteful, but a lesson learned.

the view from Sunday: writing and flowers

Morning pages, tulips for color, and greenery for life. (with a kitty cat cameo from Friday)

My DSLR has ceased to be and I need a new camera.

the view from Sunday: a time to plant

Today was a day for gardening (among other chores).
You will note that the pot on the right reads “sweet mint”… it is not. I intended to buy sweet mint, and somehow came home with two lemon balms. Oh well. There will be lots of tea.

I also did some replanting…
Repotted my jade plant (hoping it will continue to thrive), and spread some of the succulents around. It’s a riot of green!

And repotted my baby jades. These survived the mite infestation that killed their mother plant. I have neighbors with nasty plants 😦

the view from Sunday: morning after and the hazy laze

I stayed out past my bedtime for the first time in a very long time. Seriously, I’m too old for this. Spent the morning finishing a chapter because I knew I would be drained by lunchtime. I was right.

True Confession time: I broke my Whole30. It’s the first time since the first time (er… words? it makes sense when you think about it), but it happened and it’s ok. Lady time struck hard and I just needed the carbs. All in moderation, but definitely the right choice. I felt better right away.

Here I am looking tired and stuffed full of rice

I’ll get back to full Whole30 once the situation clears. For now, I need carbs. Rice and bread to be precise.

Kitty cats have lazed about and taken over, as per usual.

In other accomplishments: did my nails (only minimal staining) and only spilled a splash of my fancy hair oil when I knocked it off the counter.

I have the clumsies.

the view from Sunday: naps with cats

I didn’t realize how tired I was until I passed out between the cats. What started as a quick nap, turned into a two-hour, dead-to-the-world snooze in full pretzel mode. The cats do not know how to share the wealth, the bed is theirs between the hours of 9-5 and they know it. So with my head wedged between my arm and Cat #1’s rear, I slept.

Which means no writing , no yoga, no walking, no cleaning, no nothing. Well, that’s not strictly true, I did do my groceries this morning, before the rest of the world was out and about on a Sunday. So that’s one thing off my list.

Yesterday, I woke up tired, but I dragged myself out of bed and kept going under the influence of tea and coffee. Today, it wasn’t happening. I’ll take it as a sign and rest. The writing will wait ’til tomorrow (I’m taking the day off for a doctor’s appointment), and the yoga will be sweet and easy.

the view from Sunday: realizations and next steps

It’s a cold, wet, gloomy Sunday (cue Billie Holiday). Winter seems to have arrived (or what passes as winter in Miami), which means I want nothing more than to cuddle up with a book and a fresh cup of tea. No such luck.

This morning, in that lovely space between sleep and waking, I realized something that seemed so obvious, I’m a little ashamed I didn’t notice before. In the middle of what I thought were the easy chapters (quick revisions rather than full-on rewrites), I now see a glaring issue in the order of events that will require a complete overhaul of nearly 4 chapters. Luckily, they’re chapters I was planning to work on during February, but this will mean some serious attention to detail, and a much longer process than I thought. Nevertheless, what’s the point of revision if not to catch things like this? After all, no one is waiting on these revisions but me. I’m only accountable to myself, and I’m won’t skimp on editing for the sake of meeting a self-imposed deadline. Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet it after all.

January by the numbers:

Chapters revised: 4
Wordcount (new and rewritten): 12,492 (I started tracking. It keeps me grounded.)
1 chapter in progress, 3 to be reviewed and outlined