As you have noticed, I am usually at least one week behind with my blogging. There is just always so much going on that it takes me so long to catch up, and I do not find the time (or, rather, take the time) for blogging every day like some of you admirably do.
Let's go back to Friday, the 4th of September. Because O.K. was busy with a music appointment that evening, I did not travel to him until the Saturday. It had been another busy day at work, and when I finished at 5:00 pm, my comfortable yellow arm chair held a strong appeal - but I decided to take advantage of the beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures and go for a walk where I had recently been twice.
Like last time when I met the heron on my way back, I spotted a bird at the side of the path. I believe it was a kestrel. He or she remained there until I was relatively close before flying away across the field. I really enjoyed that walk of 2 1/4 hours - it did me much better than retreating to my armchair immediately after work, there is still plenty of time for that in winter, when it will be dark by the time I finish work.
I traveled to O.K. on the next day, arriving around lunch time. After a spot of food shopping, we had coffee at the cottage, along with delicious plum cake made by O.K.'s mum, still warm from the oven.
Later that afternoon, we went for a walk, taking glasses and a chilled bottle of rosé along, which we got out on the bench at O.K.'s parents' allotment - just the two of us, such a nice way to celebrate the weekend:
Yes, my life is good, there is no denying. And yet, it is not all roses and sunshine. I do care about other people, and I do worry about what is going on in my country and all over the world.
Just to mention a few more personal worries, there is of course always the situation with my own parents, with my Dad's health issues. It would be impossible for him to remain living at home without my Mum's constant care and assistance. Then there was the friend and village band member who died of a brain tumour on August 28, only weeks before her 49th birthday. My mother-in-law in Yorkshire, still mostly self-reliant at 86, was admitted to hospital after she fell in her cottage and was unable to get up on her own. And my parents' friends in Australia have had bad news, too, with one of them having an incurable form of cancer.
But... much as all of this (and more) saddens and worries me, there is nothing I can do about any of it. The only thing I can do is to make sure I appreciate those around me while they are there to be appreciated, and to try and keep myself as healthy as I can, for as long as I can, so as not to add to the worries.
O.K. and I are going on holiday tomorrow. We are booked into a hotel in a tiny village in the mountains for 9 nights, not crossing any national borders. There is going to be plenty of hiking, visits to the hotel's spa, and culinary delights. I am very much looking forward to it - and although I can not really imagine what it will be like at the hotel, wearing masks everywhere except for at the dining table and in our room, booking time slots for the spa and so on, I do not feel guilty about going on holiday right now
I really do like the sound of that plum cake and I love the photo of you two with your glasses of wine!
ReplyDeletePlease let your mother-in-law know that your readers are thinking of her! Mary is her name, if I am remembering correctly. Is she doing better now? My friend's mother had a fall recently and now my friend is taking care of her. In the USA, you have nurses and help that you can get to come into the home but it is a tedious process and it is hard to do when you are busy caring for your loved one!
I do hope that you and OK have a lovely holiday. Wear your masks! Even when you are outside. I have read that it is a good idea to tie your mask around your neck on a string . If you are totally in the open with no one around, don't wear it but should you start coming upon other people, put it on! (This came from Bill Nye, the science guy! Some people think he looks like Richard. Look him up! He is quite interesting.)
Please say hello to your lovely parents for me. Take care, my friend! xx
Thank you, dear Kay!
DeleteYes, her name is Mary. She is now back in hospital after she fell twice more at home. I am in touch with my sister-in-law but don't know all the details yet (nor do I believe Mary would like them to be published here). But I will definitely pass on your kind thoughts.
It is similar over here with home care; there is help to be had, but not all of the institutions you can ask are as efficient and at the same time staffed with very kind people, like the one my parents are fortunately dealing with. The lady who handles my Dad's case is friendly and keeps encouraging my parents to use their services more.
No need to remind me of mask wearing - it is mandatory here in so many places and situations, I have gotten quite used to it. But I won't be wearing one when panting and puffing up a mountain; it will be just O.K. and myself anyway!
Perspective is important in these unsettled times. You clearly understand this. It is hard these days knowing there are people we care about who are suffering and that in most cases there is little we can do but lend a listening ear and verbal support--and as you say, make sure we stay as healthy as possible ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLovely that you are making the most of the light still available to take your evening walks--your photos show the lengthening evening shadows--good for you both physically and mentally. Wishing you and O.K. a wonderful respite in the mountains. Take care. Stay safe. But mostly, simply enjoy!
Thank you, Mary! I am sure we will (enjoy and stay safe) :-)
DeleteI wonder how I am going to handle the early dark nights. Already, it is dark now by the time I usually meet with my friend when we go for a run during the week. I have always walked lots, but never been as regular with my after-work walks as now. It will take some getting used to when it is no longer possible (or pleasant).
You are absolutely right, going for walks in beautiful countryside, spending time with loved ones and appreciating them now rather than in the future is all that matters now. We are being taught a lesson about the important things in life and going for a little holiday with your ‘significant other’ is what will cheer you on as the dark times continue.
ReplyDeleteAll my best wishes.
Thank you, Friko!
DeleteYou are right, the holiday will give us a fresh boost; work has been really busy and will continue to be so for the rest of the year. I miss my annual Yorkshire holiday, therefore I am really glad to have the chance to get away for a bit now.
You have a great philosophy of life...While not unaware that many difficult and even tragic things are happening always, you don't let yourself fall into despair over things you cannot alter. You just work on those things you can affect. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with O.K. And I send special wishes for good health for your Dad and for Mary.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristi! We have arrived here mid-afternoon after a 3-hour-drive; the roads were rather busy but we made it and were rewarded with beautiful mountains in the summerly warm sunshine.
DeleteOr a month behind in my case - haven't yet finished the North Yorkshire walks one. The frailties of loved ones comes to us all in the end, but as you say there's little one can do. Enjoy your holiday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tasker. I am looking forward to your walks post(s), but even more than that, I am looking forward to tomorrow and our first hike in this area.
DeleteAnother lovely after work walk! I'm sorry to hear of your family and friends worries. It is difficult when we want to help and cannot. You have a very wise approach to such concerns. If we appreciate those around us and take care of ourselves then there really is not much more we can do.
ReplyDeleteYour holiday sounds absolutely wonderful! I hope you and O.K. have a peaceful and relaxing time and enjoy every minute of it!
Thank you, Bonnie! It is just before 8:00 on our first morning here, and we have seen a beautiful,sunrise from our room - we have windows facing east and south, with our own balcony south.
DeleteAll we have to do today is indulge in our breakfast and decide which of the many hiking paths starting in the village to go on!
I agree it is not a good idea to feel guilty about going on holiday, so long as everyone is taking very sensible precautions. I feel that the people supplying those holidays need to make a living and it would be sad if their hotels and guesthouses were gone this time next year. Don't worry about being a few weeks behind in your blog - I am now several months behind with mine - and the longer I wait, the harder it seems to return. I really must try.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, the longer one has not done a certain thing, the further away (mentally) it seems, and becomes harder to get back into.
DeleteWe were originally booked in that particular hotel in May, but then corona upended our plans when all hotels, restaurants etc. were closed for many weeks. The hotel people wrote to us, asking for postponing instead of cancelling, if possible. We did that and shifted our May holiday to September. Now the hotel is busy but not overcrowded; some others have not managed to keep going and have not reopened.
I really like the way you approach the troubles in your life, Meike. I should try harder to be more like you in that regard. I'm sending my very best wishes for your dad and mother in law!
ReplyDeleteYour yellow armchair is so pretty! What a nice little nook. I can just see myself enjoying a book in that pleasant spot. Your home looks so cozy and comfortable!
We've been taking extra walks with George now that the weather is (finally) starting to cool down. I feel so much better now that I'm getting more exercise, not just physically, but mentally.
Thank you, Jennifer!
DeleteThe yellow armchair is my preferred lunch break spot when working from home. It is so comfy I could easily fall asleep!
I know what you mean about feeling better with more exercise. My after-work walks really keep me going - in more than one sense.
Just catching up with your blog Meike. I hope that you and OK are having a lovely time in your mountain retreat. You are not even half way through your vacation. I guess that you will walk for miles and hope that the weather is kind to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil! You are right on all accounts - not yet half way through, great weather, hiking for miles and having a lovely time here in Balderschwang!
DeleteI've been meaning to ask you, when did you start walking, treking, hiking? Did you begin as a young child or is this something you desired as an adult. I know a few people here in the US who hike when they have time to get to the mountains, but nobody who walks like you do taking time each day before and after work. I love going with you and am stunned by the beauty of your natural surroundings. Surely you live in an enchanted part of our world. I never tire of your adventures and your photos.
ReplyDeleteDear Jill, our parents took my sister and me walking and hiking from when we were toddlers, of course adjusting the length and difficulty of paths to what we were safely able to do. They have instilled that love and understanding of nature in us, something I will forever be grateful for.
DeleteI usually do not walk before work, I love my sleep too much! But getting out after work at least for a bit has become increasingly important for my mental and physical wellbeing, since I work from home and look at a computer screen all day, every day.
I am glad you enjoy my walks and the photos, thank you!
I'm catching up myself just now, so just realized that most of your holiday will already have passed when I read this. Hope you had good week! :)
ReplyDeleteA great weekmit has been, Monica! Hiking up and down mountains every day, nothing but sunshine so far. There are thunderstorms and rain forecast for the rest of our stay, but we'll see how it all pans out. And we definitely have been making the best of the good weather as long as it lasted! (Still sunny as we speak on this Sunday morning.)
DeleteWell I've been out of circulation so am just brining up the rear in the comments. I hope that your holiday has been wonderful. As for your post: your yellow armchair; a walk; the moon; teasels; and a rosé at the allotments. What's not to enjoy? I'm sad for your Dad and Mary but, as you say, when one cannot do anything about something worrying is a negative approach. One of your great attributes in my book is your possitivity.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham. Some call my generally positive outlook naive, or uncaring; Imdare say it is neither.
DeleteToday is our last day here in the mountains, and we are unsure where to go for the last hike of this holiday. The weather forecast is not great from early afternoon onwards, so a long tour is off the cards. Also, we have been "everywhere" within reach of our hotel without taking the car.
I think that taking a vacation and guilt about doing so should not be joined in the same sentence. Go away, have fun, enjoy yourself, inject a little money into local economies and help a few businesses to survive. It seems to me that people who take a bottle of wine to an allotment garden know how to enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteIt just feels that way sometimes, that I should not be so happy while others are suffering.
DeleteBut yes, we did have a wonderful holiday, and I would not mind if I could stay away from work another week or three.