What are the retirement good old olden days like?

Chicken Soup (canned)

For the first meal of the day, it is all right with me, to have chicken soup. The day before, things got in the way of a nice hot bowl of broth, carrots, noodles and chicken bits. A can of anything can become lonely sitting on the counter too long. One must pay attention to the foods they keep.

The same can be said of blog posts. When you begin a subject, it is best, I believe, to stay on track by finishing the thought. A subject also needs attention.

So what is that unfinished post (below) all about?  As I recall, the issue is about managing one's daily flow, the benefits of routine blended in with the doing what you feel like. 

In retirement, it can feel frightening to wake up to an epiphany you having nothing to do that will make any difference in this world. There is nobody to tell you what to do. There is nobody going to judge your accomplishments or lack of. 

The unfinished blog post:

Why am I blogging when all I want to do is have a McD sausage biscuit and a real coffee? 

There's no telling why things aren't the way you want them. You can, though, make decisions. There are goals out there waiting for you to embrace them. Right now, I have so much stuff to do, all I want to do is leave. (I'm laughing.) Going out and about isn't always to be out there to get things done. It can be about not being indoors so you don't have to face the messes you need to square away. Escaping for a moment can ease the transition from not doing to doing.

As it happens, being out of packing tape means a trip to the store. If I'm already out and about, then a short stop for a coffee is all right.

I did go out to buy tape. I did have a sausage biscuit and coffee from McD. I got a lot done that day. That is what matters most to me, to keep on going.

For This Week ...

There are no flowers on the table.

Time to buy another bouquet.

Looking in another container, envelope, closet or drawer is reaching its peak with me. Thus, this week I will be doing more things like changing passwords, checking old email addresses, transfering info to a new address book, and, overall, getting outdoors more.

There is only so much sorting a person can do at home before wanting to run away from it all feels like a good idea.

The biggest project this week, however, is to sort old costume jewelry.

Second, is to sew up a few things.

Third, take at least 3 walks outdoors.

In between all that will be art and naps.

Does your week go better when you plan it out?

Look What I Found

Traveling
11 x 9 inch Watercolor & Ink abstract
2022

The storage ottoman  was the target to sort out this morning. To my surprise (when isn't it), I discovered that most of what was in there is dated in 2022 (mid covid pandemic). The knitting needles I've been looking for, half of them are in there. Notebooks, sketchbooks, magazines and a catalog were also in there. The catalog is glossy paper that I will use to make paper beads from a tutorial on YouTube, Treasure Books channel. 

Oh! A 1962 National Geographic map of the Boston to Washington DC area, that I planned to glue to a canvas. I love maps. Last, a page from Country Home Magazine, Winter 2022, for the recipe, Dreamy Creamy Potato Casserole.

A mid century dresser is next on the sort out list. One section is in a grocery bag, sewing notions and such. The other stuff I am not looking forward to deciding what to do with it. The music DVDs I'll ask the local library first. Papers will be shredded or stored away. After everything is cleared out, the storage will be used for projects, knitting, sewing, writing, drawing, and a nice tidy junk drawer.

The watercolor and ink abstract is the biggest surprise because the memory of painting it is blurry (like most of 2022). The style of abstract art is what I like to do as a break from impressionism acrylic artwork. I also like this painting the way it is. I greet it with less thought of fixing it like I usually do when I see a stored away painting.

Arranging Furniture Fun

Abstract Untitled

    The change of seasons means moving furniture to the winter arrangement.  Table space is premium for craft, sewing and art projects. This year there will be more surface area to use after I finish making a larger craft table.

The wood card table will be used for puzzles, and odd projects like a place to allow things to dry. 

During the furniture moving, there's also clearing out stuff. The tall trash can where I stored rolled up drawings, wallpaper and such is now a clothes hamper. A file cabinet is in the corner instead. More has moved here and there to organize, tidy up, declutter. I've also found small projects to add to the cold weather indoors project basket. 

The abstract is one such discovery rolled in a tube with other stuff. I recall it as being on gesso primed paper. To my surprise, it is on primed canvas without a stretcher.

Who know moving furniture could be so much fun.

I found a 1982 duck applique and stuffed decoy book with the pattern; a cross stitch door pull kit; wood  pieces for projects; tons of buttons; a knitting project; drawing paper; and more. 

So that's where that was!...ruled.

The Relief of Sorting

At Sorting Level 2

Little by little, think on it, relax, do other tasks, think more, have a meal, and back again to do a little, day after day after day.

Sorting for me this spring has been an experience of discovery. The more I go through stuff, the more stuff I have to go through. In the past, clearing up, organizing didn't feel like it does this year.

A change has been in the area of the junk drawer. This sorting I dump most of it into a grocery bag and shipping cardboard piece. 

The total I estimate could fit into 4 or 5 plastic shoe boxes. I want it in one.

I am seriously considering putting it all in a clear resin lamp form for a Steampunk vibe.

A bonus, the a new craft, paint and sew area with its own chair. 

I am pleased the last and 3rd level of sorting is the easiest.

<-- Desk

--> Craft/paint/sew area

For Week-end 12

Dove, bric-a-brac
Made in Taiwan

May your week-end be full

of Spring enthusiasm!

Make flowers from junk mail 

Go for a walk with a friend 

Draw rabbits and foxes

Assemble salad in a jar

Have your salad outdoors

Browse nautical tee shirts online

Visit an antique store

Sing to a lemon

Read about joinery history

The Joy of Progress

Bird Feathers & Abstract Art

Mourning Doves & a Starling

At first the starling doesn't look unusual because birds often mix during a busy seed session. Observing the hungry birds, the starling becomes a flock member, moving around like the others.  

The starling blends in so well, I hardly notice until uploading the photos.

Have you seen a flock with one of a  different feather?

~~~~~~~~~

Untitled, 12"x16"
Mixed Media 2010 Acrylic

Reorganizing a cabinet and shelves is an adventure in discovery. Artwork can store memories in each brush stroke. Phases an artist goes through are imprinted on the canvas like plant and dinosaur fossils in stone.

A bonus of sorting through art supplies and such, reaction time practice. So far I have dodged everything that fell off and over. Makes me feel young again; and, unscathed.

Reflection Monday April 2015

On a Tuesday.
Yesterday felt like a holiday.
Today is starting out slow as the calendar comes into view with Monday's circles...Blog. Is it things or time that gets away? The sun this second begins to shine through the clouds. That's an answer...both.
Managing time and things is much easier and healthier when physical space is organized. This month will be finish the sorting month. Then a comfortable sit reflecting on why it took so long.