SUMMER DAYS
Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.—Shakespeare
This school year I have been working two or three times a week at a public elementary school. The experience has been tremendously challenging and rewarding, and the last day of school will be a bittersweet one for me. I do not look forward to saying goodbye to the many little friends that I have made—to funny faces and bear hugs, shy smiles and extravagant protestations of love. I do not look forward to ending the work I have been doing—teaching, tutoring, playing secretary, even running endless copies on that cranky behemoth.
I do look forward to the return of my usual routine, and more time to pursue my little domestic tasks, my herbal medicine and Latin studies, and my many personal interests. In order to make the best use of my increased hours, I have compiled a flexible framework for the summer. I will not be able to accomplish all these things everyday, but I find that a basic rhythm promotes active serenity.
{SUMMER DAYS}
Remember to include in the circle of my day—communion with Jehovah God; grace-filled interaction with family and friends; some advancement in my studies; a little play for the soul, whether in reading, dancing or dreaming.
{MORNING}
•wake at 7 o’clock (pray Psalm 143:8, sing ‘Rise, Shine, For Thy Light is a-Coming’)
•air bed sheets, tidy and air room
•wash, comb and dress
•get flowers for breakfast table
•take multi-vitamin, iron, evening primrose, vitex extract and probiotic
•recite morning grace, eat healthy breakfast
•clear and rinse dishes
•feed chickens, take kitchen scraps out
•make bed
•recitation, singing, Bible reading, prayer
•read ten pages of Plutarch’s Lives
•study herbal medicine
{AFTERNOON}
•take evening primrose, vitex extract and probiotic
•eat lunch out of doors, if day is fine
•help clear lunch, wash
•exercise (pilates, weighted ball, power walk, biking, swimming, rowing)
•weed and water garden beds
•shower and dry-body brush
•brew and chill white tea
•practice new song with recorder
•personal projects, reading, correspondence
{EVENING}
•take calcium magnesium, evening primrose, vitex extract and probiotic
•eat a healthy dinner, help clear
•read aloud Tolkien’s Silmilarion
•soak oatmeal for breakfast
•wash, put on retainer, moisturize, dress for bed, turn back covers
•lights out by 8:30
{WEEKLY}
•journal
•transcribe poem
•publish blog post (twice weekly)
•enter receipts, pay bills
•make dinner
•deep-clean house
•move chicken run
•wash hair
{MONTHLY}
•iron laundry (every three weeks)
•make bread
•chiropractor
•sing at nursing home
•back-up computer files
• detail from The Picnic Party by Jack Vettriano •
May 28, 2013