Saturday 25 July
Simple things. The wonderful satisfaction and pleasure that comes from the simplicity of no drama, no pressure, no expectation.
Today, I feel, is the first day of our summer holidays. There is no rush to get things done; which means when things do get done, I can revel in striking a line through it.
Planting out the lavender, taking rubbish to the tip (that has been stacked down the side passage since clearing out the shed and greenhouse – Days xx), feeding the birds, clearing the duck weed from the pond, trimming the grape vine. All accomplished in the past 24 hours, all ticked off. Full satisfaction, no sweat.
Lisa and Stan have dug up some potatoes and snipped some courgettes from the garden. Within 45 minutes of being harvested we were eating courgette frittata and buttered new potatoes. Later it’s veggie chilli and ‘You Only Live Twice’ on the telly.
But right now, I’m sitting in the armchair by the window with a good book and a cup of tea. Watching the blackbirds peck the tray of mealworms, I notice the adults are accompanied by three juveniles. The rain is pit-patting on the windows and sky-lantern.
What do I really have to worry about? I could spend some time fretting about the big stuff; the virus, the environment, poverty. And sometimes, I do. But right now, right here, I’m putting my own oxygen mask on and contentedly taking in deep, satisfying breaths of the simple stuff.
The Bald Birder 