Working to Relax

 

I am "working to relax" so-to-speak.  Basically, I am having a workday that I am striving to build around the various principles I gleaned from the guest speaker I heard on Wednesday (and talked about here in yesterday's (Thursday's) post).  I am working to guide my mind to focus more on the tangible, present things I can accomplish, rather than be overwhelmed by the many things I cannot objectively control.  It has been both USEFUL, and rather CALMING to me.  I am not sure if this would be considered a "breakthrough" of sorts for me.... but it has been a pleasant day.  I think this philosophy of the "stoics" may have a lot of merit.... and with practice, perhaps this can develop into more my norm?  

• My wife has left on her journey.  I am hoping it is a really great experience for her.  And.... I am hopeful to hear in our phone call this evening that  she found my little package, has opened it, and is pleased with my small gifts.
• I am going to leave for the shoppe in just a bit.  And, if I find a friend or two there..... wonderful!  But as a backup plan, I have my notebook that I will be able to spend some quality time with in terms of thinking about tasks I hope to engage in over the next few days.  These include a) home tasks I would like to accomplish, b) work tasks I need to organize and plan for how and when to accomplish, c) work through a structure on how/when to start putting together the needed electronica for my accelerated "Summer" course that begins in mid-May, and d) think through a list of items I will want to stop at the pharmacy (Walgreens) to get on my way home after visiting the shoppe.  
• This may be a "pipe dream" in all the different permutations of meaning that the phrase has.... but I am contemplating perhaps going back to the shoppe on Saturday as well.... and considering potentially to have a pipe while I am there.  I tend to think the Saturday clientele is not of a group of fellows who stick around there for any length of time (or so I have heard) and typically are shop-and-go sorts on Saturdays. I figure I could perhaps go and allow myself the chance to sample one pipe upstairs in their nicely windowed space where I could sit and read a book.  I think I could wrangle in my mind this being a special enough, rare occasion (being a "bachelor" for a spell) that it likely would not push me into repetitive behavior.  I would far rather have my wife about, of course.... but I was trying to think of a way to garner some fun in spite of my wife being absent. 
• One of the sure "signs" of Spring that I am pretty sure I can/will do this weekend, is to REMOVE the orange snow stakes from around the driveway and sidewalk.  Here is an image from Home Depot showing what I mean if you are not familiar with snow stakes: 

 

These can be helpful markers in the "way up North" region because often the snow levels get so deep that is difficult, often impossible, to read where the driveway or sidewalk ends and the lawn begins.  These markers guide my path when I shovel snow.  And.... fingers crossed...I am feeling confident enough that we will NOT get any more snow.... or at least not get ENOUGH snow that I would not be able to discern the edges of the sidewalks/driveway.  

• I am also considering washing the walls of the kitchen to be able to hang some new/fresh "artsy" things my wife and I have gotten in the last year........ and I am thinking about doing the same for our master bathroom for some similar "artsy" things w have gotten to spruce up that room a bit as well.  
• Finally, another item I am considering is to try to do an effective "Spring Cleaning" of the basement to allow it to be again more functional a space for me to do my instrument repair hobby work.  

PipeTobacco