08:15 – The perfect time to get up. Sadly, I woke up an hour ago, but, joy of joys, I went back to sleep. The dog is curled up in
the small of my back. She has most of the bed and most of the duvet. But at
least I’m warm.
08:30 – Coffee. Delicious, even if I do have to make it
myself. Dog’s still snoozin’ on the bed. The sky is blue, the clouds are
scudding, and I sit in the warmth watching the seabirds whirling. This view is
a balm to my soul, and a welcome change from magnolia office walls.
09:00 – Washed and brushed and ready to work. I’ve moved the
table so it’s in front of the windows, and the laptop is primed and ready to
go. There is nothing to fear in a blank sheet of (virtual) paper. Let the
tapping commence!
Tapping.
13:00 – The man arrives to mend the oven. It’s nice to have
another human to talk to, even if the conversation is, well, limited. When he’s
gone lunch is halloumi, rocket and avocado in pitta. Slurp.
Tapping.
15:00 – I call my mother. ‘Darling, I was about to call
you!’ She’s got guests coming and a trip to the theatre in store. She sounds
happy and that makes me happy.
Tapping.
15:30 – Apparently there’s bad weather coming, so the Hound
and I venture out. She sniffs, I trudge, we both get blown about. Only I come
back with pink cheeks.
Tapping.
16:00 – It’s got dark and suddenly I’m aware of being alone.
So I put a fairly new CD on the good stereo, which has got super-woofers and
adjustable bass and treble and god knows what. Might as well be listening to
the album for the first time. Which is amazing, and also worrying. What else
have I listened to and not been able to hear?
Tapping.
16:20 – Herself emails the best news. Feel slightly weepy,
but I am writing about three sisters who’ve just lost their Mum, so I’m
hyper-sensitive to family business just now.
Tapping.
16:38 – Writing this. First and only bit of work avoidance
all day. But it’s still writing, right? Right.
Tapping.
17:02 – Oops, a weepy bit. It’s quite hard typing with tears
in your eyes – have to do a lot of dramatic blinking. I just hope if anybody
ever reads this bloody book they cry here, too.
Tapping.
17:30 – That’s quite enough of that. Do as the experts say
and shut the computer while there’s still juice in the creative tank. But now
it’s time to get the Spag Bol on. Decide to put a film on while I’m cooking –
something Herself won’t watch. Spend a very happy 90 minutes chopping and
frying in the company of Ratatouille – the ideal choice.
11.30 - Bed. That's very late for a week-night. I'm such a rebel.
Day Two promises to be similar, with slightly nicer weather,
a supermarket trip and the arrival of the Queen of Herself in the evening to
look forward to. If only this was my all-the-time life. If only I could find a
way to make this life pay me money. Oh, wait, that’s what I’m doing…
Tapping.
a) so glad you are getting some writing done, in a nice environs
ReplyDeleteb) how is it going and when do i get a next look?
c) yes, sad how helpful tradespeople need to be 'friends' but they don't realise and want to talk technical shop. they don't get the customer service/psychological 'been at home on my own all day' aspect of matters.
d) good food choices.
e) i have many times had the same weird ' i was thinking of you when you rang' conversation. great minds i say
f) i can recommend the new Muse album
g) god bless the bluester
h) if you are crying at the book, how much will the rest of us be blubbing? I've ordered the tissues in. and some therapy.
ReplyDeletei) on we go. speaking about writing. you are of course the godchild's literary tsar, but you maybe need to be mine. please start a borrowing library for me. I just bought all the hunger games.
ReplyDeletej) as i was sick was watching the west wing again and have decided that job wise you are Toby (chief writer and messager, chief conscience, tackling tricky issues and making it work) and i am josh (constitutional issues and doing what needs to be done to make strategy happen).
k) on my namesake, i will stop
ReplyDelete