Monday, March 16, 2015

A Day Off

I finally had a day off on Sunday. Everything that absolutely had to be done was done. It's been almost three weeks since I had more than an hour or two to call my own. I slept in till a little after 9:00. What an incredible pleasure. Lana was up before me, which is somewhat unusual, and not long after I got up she was in the mood for breakfast and made bacon and eggs and toast while I set up the table and chairs on the deck.

We also hadn't seen the sun much for the past week, but it was out Sunday and the yard was drying up after a week of rain. The temperature was perfect. We ate leisurely and watched the birds making their own breakfast at our feeders--Cardinals, Blue Jays, Doves, Chipping Sparrows, Goldfinches, Brown Thrashers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Wrens, Chickadees, Titmice. The only negative was that there were still too many human sounds in the neighborhood. Cars going by, an AC running, and a party on the next street over with many screaming children. I didn't let that bother me too much.

Later I played around on the computer but the electricity went out. If I'd had work to do I would have been angry and frustrated, but without any immediate demands on my time I, instead, had a nice nap. After that I had a walk around the neighborhood. I thought about writing, but in the end I didn't do any. I just couldn't bear the thought of anything that seemed like work. I read instead and played a little bit of a video game when the electricity came back on. I did help Lana wash the dishes, which was the closest I came to work all day.

We had some leftover spaghetti and Lana put some shrimp and Alfredo sauce with it for supper. We ate on the deck again and it was much quieter. I could hear frogs instead of human noises. It was growing pretty dark by then and most of the birds that came to the feeders were Cardinals. There were probably at least thirty of them, although they moved about so much it was hard to count.

Finally, a little reading and then we watched The Walking Dead. By 10:20 I was in bed, not looking forward to the heavy week ahead. I get another set of papers in my writing class today (Monday) so I will be grading a lot in the next few days. A big surge in committee work is coming up too. Maybe the thought of next Sunday will keep me going. I hope so.

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19 comments:

Ty said...

Good to take some time off, and for yourself, every once in a while. Keeps us sane, I think.

Unknown said...

Your day-off experience ought to be required reading for people who claim teachers have easy jobs. Those claimants do not understand that there is much more involved than a few hours each week in the classroom.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

That's my kind of day, Charles. As the mystics say, to do nothing is to do everything.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Charles, sometimes we need days like that.
And all that noise at 9:00 am on a Sunday? What's wrong with people?

Greg said...

sounds like a pretty nice day!

Cloudia said...

glad you enjoyed some quality time together.




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pattinase (abbott) said...

Love your restful day!

Charles Gramlich said...

Ty, or semi sane in my case.

R.T., yes indeed. So much more.

Prashant, amen!

Alex, I know. they were having a birthday party nearby

Greg, I already miss it on this Monday.

Cloudia, relaxing!

Patti, so did we

the walking man said...

Yes sir it kind of sucks to have the only free time being a commute. Got up at 9am did you? Why that's when this old geezer goes down for his nap.

BernardL said...

A very good day off. :)

Brian Miller said...

have not watched Walking Dead yet this week...but i will get some down time tonight...so shh...ha.

sounds like a great day...i have had no down time in a week...my wife has been with her dad who went in the hospital a week ago so i have been playing single dad...til today...

downtime, ahh...i once knew her...ha

Charles Gramlich said...

Mark, in the mornings I use my commute time to go over my classes for the day. 9 was definitely a nice luxury.

Bernard, now if I could get a few more.

Brian, I remember single dadding it.

sage said...

It is nice to have a day off, but next week I'm taking off!

Charles Gramlich said...

Sage in a couple of weeks we get off for spring break. I'm looking forward to it.

Erik Donald France said...

The Chipping Sparrows have it made -- eye of the sparrow.

Good luck with all and sundry!

May you have many a month of Sundays like this one.

Charles Gramlich said...

Erik, oh man, I hope so

Tyhitia Green said...

It's good to hear you had some rest. :) It's sooo peaceful when you do.

Have a great weekend!

David Cranmer said...

Glad you had a day of rest, Charles. I know they are few and far between.

jodi said...

Charles-sounds like the perfect respite for you. I love days like that.