I'm Springing!

I went back to work on Monday after three weeks off. People keep asking "Are you better now?" and my answer is "Yeah - really well actually!" - like it's a surprise or something. It's great to feel well again.

And strangely that's probably the reason I haven't been about recently. Having got the energy back I've been missing for so long - the last thing I felt like doing was sitting for hours on end at the computer. I've been flitting about doing this and that, trying to catch up on all the stuff I let slide in the last month and I've been so chilled out you could keep your pint of milk fresh for a week by putting it down next to me.

Luckily I'd fulfilled my month's quota for Aerin's writing challenge weeks ago so I can relax there but I am living in fear of the Koala figuring out how remiss I've been at the Public Humiliation Challenge. Not a word for a fortnight. Nada. I feel those claws sharpening up. I hope my ducking reflexes are well tuned for when that swipe comes.

But you know what? I'm not in the least bit stressed about being wordless for weeks. Normally I wonder where my Muse has gone and I struggle with feelings of 'not quite being up to the job' but this time I feel different.

I had an epiphany. I epiph a lot. This one was so big I practically epiphed all over the place. These light bulb moments generally occur when I'm out walking the Pooch. I barrel along breathing in the country air - often talking to myself out loud. Yes I look like a crazy person but it's during these walks that I uncrazy myself. I've noticed that my energy levels are on the rise and I've also noticed (with considerable joy and satisfaction) that the Earth is Springing back to life. There's more light around, the air is less oppressive and I've ditched one layer of my winter coat. The shoots for the bluebells are through the ground and my garden is filled with snowdrops and crocuses. It won't be long till the daffodils bloom and my Magnolia tree blossoms. It's like the Earth is filled with potential energy and it's champing at the bit to be let loose but it's waiting for exactly the right time.

Like me. I'm bursting with ideas. I'm not in the slightest bit blocky but somewhere, instinctively, I know that the optimum conditions where my energy levels and creativity come together aren't quite here yet. But it's so close. Every morning I wake up and it's brighter and I feel even better.

If the rest of nature is utterly at the mercy of the seasons - then why not us? I was staring at the bluebell shoots when I had my epiphany. I thought about how it was this time last year when I really caught the bug for writing and I realised (DUH!) that my creativity waxes and wanes with the seasons. I'm totally and utterly a child of Nature.

My shoots are up.

I'm looking forward to seeing what flowers I produce this season.

Happy Valentine's Day.

I know lots of people hate Valentine's Day. It's the archetypal Hallmark Holiday - invented for totally commercial purposes for the fleecing of the intellectually impaired - i.e. those in the throes of first love.

Well I'm not such a cynic. Yes! Yes! I know that all that's true but it's also true (I believe) that love isn't celebrated nearly enough. We live busy, busy lives and days, weeks and even months can fly by in a blink without taking the time to really appreciate the love in your life. The oldest argument in the book against February 14th is that "I don't need a special day to buy you flowers or tell you how I feel." And that's quite true. But friends and lovers everywhere I have to ask how often do you remember to do it? Certainly I believe that you shouldn't only be romantic with each other on this day but I do feel having a special day put aside that grants you permission to go all out and ham it up for the love of your life can only be a good thing. Remember your romantic gesture doesn't have to help Hallmark at all - a simple handwritten letter is more romantic than almost anything. I think that taking the time and putting in a little effort to woo the love of your life is always worth it.

So, to you all I wish a very Happy Valentine's Day. Go on … tell the one you love just how much they mean to you.

Romancectomy.

Still grabbing at every challenge laid before me I have finally decided to do one of Robin's Voice Challenges. Normally I duck behind the parapet when these are going on because I have an unerring ability to transform into a stuttering eejit when asked to read aloud. However I've realised that even I couldn't mess up this one: How about we turn Valentine's day around? Read something slushily romantic in the least romantic way possible?. Well for me all I had to do was read it.

I realise this isn't very clear. It's fairly self-explanatory as to why that is. If you want a crystal clear rendition of it pop over to Whirl's gaff as he annunciated and projected for benefit of Maurice.




In the picture: my notebook and pen, the memory sick that contains all my writing, a cup of tea in my favourite mug, a packet of Lemsip flu capules, a box of (and several used) tissues and a bottle of echinacea drops.

With apologies to lovers of the Bard everywhere.

Things I Have Learned

1. If you screw up your back, however slightly you should so something about it straight away.

2. Soldiering on instead of prioritising yourself and your health is foolish.

3. Going into work when you should be taking care of yourself, because you feel guilty about taking time off, will come back to bite you on the bum.

4. Not feeling guilty about taking time off, even when you have to (because you can't move any more) is harder than it sounds.

5. When you are told to rest by a doctor they don't mean do less they mean do nothing.

6. Doing nothing is impossible.

7. It is also impossible to pick something up without bending. Even if you manage to keep your back straight going down you will lean forward to get back up again.

8. Having a healthy back is essential for your general health and wellbeing.

9. Chronic pain affects your mood. That might sound like common sense but think of it this way: I expect to feel cranky if I'm in pain at any given time but if you are in pain, however mild, and it stays with you for an extended period of time, it's physically hard to feel happy.

10. Chiropractors are worth their weight in gold.

11. My family is very understanding.

12. There is a big difference between knowing that the vacuuming needs to be done and just choosing to ignore it and knowing that the vacuuming needs to be done and not being able to do it. The former makes you feel like a rebel and rather smug, the latter makes you resent your dog for having a coat.

13. I love my dog and am totally blessed that I have to walk her every day. It's probably the thing that's kept me from having a slipped disc and from going potty.

14. Walking in fresh snow is fun. Walking on ice and slush is hair-raisingly scary.

15. My favourite things to do are sitting on my bed daydreaming and tapping away on my laptop. Unfortunately my back hates me doing these. It wants me to lie flat or be walking. Sitting for extended periods - even 10 minutes or more - makes it angry. This is why I haven't been visiting you guys this past week.

16. I have fantastic blogging buddies. Thank you to everyone you've sent me healing Karma, given me awards, sent me well-wishes and not clawed me for getting behind on my challenge.

17. I need to respect my body more - it really is a wonderful thing.

18. Being able to move is fantastic.

19. People who call to your door or phone you don't wait long enough for a creaky person to get to said door or phone. Honestly the number of time this week I've got up to answer one or the other of these to find myself abandoned is … um … lots!


20. Getting better is the best gift ever.

Thank you all for your patience at all this complaining. I'm done now. Shutting up!