Back to the Office

For the last six months I've been bemoaning the fact I cannot go into the MLS office. I miss my familiar routines and the structure they provided. Sometimes I feel adrift and the result is I don't do much of anything useful. Yet there are so many things I'd like to do. Mostly housework and yard work. Well, not really LIKE to do, but that need to be done.

I've finally been given permission to go back to the office and I'm finding my familiar routines are no longer familiar. They feed quite odd. I need to pack a lunch, and make sure information stored on my home computer is sent to my work computer. 

I have to plan my wardrobe for the day since it's Friday and the senior exercise class will be meeting in it's new location outdoors on the lawn of the Town Hall. I could just go to the office in my t-shirt, sneakers and baseball cap, but this is my chance to wear real clothes even though no one else will be in the office to see me.

I could almost resume my pre-COVID-19 routine, but I'm not sure I want to. I've gotten used to not having to plan my day because I'll be gone from home and need to bring things with me.

Last week, I went "shopping" for the first time in six months. My 15-year old sneakers were falling apart and I bought a shiny new pair. Yesterday, I went to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned. On the way I stopped at one of my favorite clothing stores and bought a new skirt at 50% off. I could wear that today in the office, though that's more changing than I would usually do. 

One thing I've learned in my 70+ years on this earth is that life is full of surprises. I could get used to that, but I don't think I really ever will.

It's Daytime and I'm Awake

I've always responded to my surroundings. When it's dark, I'm sleepy; when it's light, I'm awake. Now that it gets light at 5:00 a.m., I'm awake at 5:00 a.m. and often get up soon after.

Today is one of the rare days I did not exercise first thing. I've been very good about practicing Yoga or walking to the newspaperbox early in the morning. But every once in a while I just need a break from exercise.

For the last two months, I've spent most of my time at home. Pretty much everything is closed down due to the virus. Keeping people separated seems like the best way to minimize its spread, but I'm getting somewhat bored and lonely.

The hardest thing for me is that I've had to do a major readjustment with the way I shop for food and household items. I'm not someone who goes to the supermarket once a week and buys everything. I visit a variety of different places for different things. There's the bakery for bread; the food co-op for most food and meat; the supermarket for the things the co-op does not carry or where the prices are too high.

I go to a health food store for vitamins and skin care products because I like their selection. There is a butcher shop where I sometimes get meat and a seafood store which is the only place that sells finnan haddie. Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, the farm stands are opening. I get as much fresh produce from farm stands as I can. I'm used to stopping by one or more of these places to pick up a couple of items as I need them.

Going to the market is such an ordeal now. Sometimes I have to wait in line so that the store does not exceed its limit of customers inside at one time. And there's the wait to get to the cash register, always keeping at least 6 feet from the next person. Since I'm not allowed to bring my own bags, I now have a cabinet full of paper bags. Well, that's one plus: I used to run out of paper bags needed for recycling. It will be a while before I run out of those.

As the virus seems to be fading, stores are beginning to open up. Soon I'll be able to invite people here for drinks as we sit by the pond. I wonder how long it will take before I'm able to get back to my former routines?

What I'm looking forward to most is being back in the office and leading the senior exercise class. I miss those the most.

Shopping in Provincetown

M. and I just returned from a week in Provincetown where we attended the Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. This was our 7th TW Festival and the 5th year in a row. We may take a break next year.

The festival organizers are looking for new ways to present TW's plays. Having organized plenty of conferences, I understand this completely. 2016 marks 100 years since Eugene O'Neill's first play was performed in Provincetown and half of the plays were his. The theme was "Beyond Success" because after both Williams and O'Neill were big hits, they tried experimenting, not always to great acclaim. These plays were the ones written later in their careers.

Next year's theme is "Shakespeare" so perhaps I don't want to skip that.

One of the things I like the best about going to Provincetown at this time of year is the shopping. It's post "season" when there are far fewer tourists and many store are winding down, some closing for the winter. There are LOTS OF SALES. As I look through my wardrobe, much of my clothing is from Provincetown.

This year's purchases include: Rubber sandals, a white tunic top with floral design, a white blouse with white embroidery, 4 pairs of earrings (M. bought 2 of them in the Turkish store that he likes so much), water shoes, a bandana (which I donated to the Hatfield Senior Center to use for stretching during exercise class), postcards, and a box of note cards.

M. bought another mermaid statue. He's beginning to develop a collection of them. He didn't buy any clothes for himself, though he has in the past.

I've just finished my morning tea and bagel and it's time to get dressed for exercise and work. I'm looking forward to wearing my new tunic. But which earrings to choose?

'Tis The Season

Sometimes I just have to go shopping.

Since I learned I might lose my job more than a year ago, I've been very careful about spending money. And since I decided I just have too much stuff, I've been very careful about accumulating more stuff. But sometimes I just have to go shopping. Like today.

I had an appointment this morning and I planned to restock the larder (some types of shopping still have to be done), but I did a little extra shopping, too. Being the frugal person that I am, I spent some time at Steals & Deals (or maybe it's Deals & Steals - I can never remember, but I know where it is) in Northampton. Since 2 pairs of sweatpants that were considered "play clothes" are now officially in the rag pile, I'm on the lookout for replacements. That I didn't find, but I did purchase some much needed socks (most of mine have holes in the heels and will soon follow the sweat pants to the rag pile) and some rubber boots. My new rubber boots are blue with a floral print. I can hardly wait for slushy snow in which to wear them.

I finished Eat, Pray, Love today. I almost feel like starting at the beginning and reading it all over again, but I think I'll take a break; I returned it to the library. Liz Gilbert's experiences while meditating are so intriguing that I'm seriously considering meditating myself. But in the meantime, I'm concentrating on Yoga. I had let it slip for a while, but I'm practicing most mornings now and trying very hard to pay attention and be mindful.

After a week off for Thanksgiving break, I'll be teaching again on Saturday. Well, not exactly. Some of my students will be giving their final presentations, so I get to sit back and listen to them. They are a very bright and energetic group and I'm really looking forward to hear what they have to say. Libraries and Archives will be in good hands once these people graduate and enter the workforce.