Toast

It was wonderful to have the sun back! The sunshine gives me a wonderful boost in spirits and so yesterday morning I was very active doing chores that I’d ignored all day Sunday (My Day). I looked forward to the week because I see Dr. S. tomorrow, but that is my only scheduled thing for the entire week. Plus, two more days of good weather are coming on Wednesday and Thursday. My clover is going to get a good growing boost.

Our little group of dog walkers took the Ricki Ave. trail at my suggestion. I like that trail (even though it begins with a long uphill stretch) because on a sunny day we walk in sunshine. All the other trails are so heavily treed, we walk in shade all the time. And when we were done, Her Highness and I went into the village before coming home.

I read for a while before we all had lunch, and then I took a nap before heading out for our afternoon walk on the Elder Cedar trail. It was clouding over and so I wanted to walk before any rain fell. I loved our walks yesterday because Sheba was her old self in every way, trotting here and there, smelling everything, and stopping often to turn around and make sure I was still with her. 

When we came home, I really enjoyed a good long soak in the spa, and when I came in, I decided to weigh myself. I did so with trepidation. I was afraid I’d gained some of the weight I’d lost due to the heavy eating at Thanksgiving and at all the meals I recently made for friends. But I was very pleasantly surprised to find that not only had I not gained any weight, I’d lost two more pounds.

I reckon I’ve changed my eating habits permanently. I never buy sweets, and I never eat any except when I go out for dinner or host friends here. Even then, I often don’t have dessert. I believe I’ve broken my sugar habit, plus I remain committed to mindful eating. I love wearing so many of my clothes that have hung unused for a few years.

Last night I watched Toast for the second time. I saw it on YouTube and so I watched it because I loved it the first time I saw it. It’s a harsh story derived from the award-winning memoire of Nigel Slater, who became a celebrated chef, but who suffered dreadfully through his childhood. I didn’t realize how close it was to my story until this second viewing: sick mother, angry father, wanting nothing to do with his father’s second partner. Another thing I didn’t notice the first time I saw the film is that Nigel Slater is in the final scene.

I was up early this morning, and walking Sheba. It was a very dark morning, and I knew rain was coming, so we walked in the dim light of dawn, and I loved it. I had no idea how much I loved nature until I moved here, and I had no idea when I got Sheba what a smart thing it was to get her. If I didn’t have her as my friend, I wouldn’t be walking nearly so much on the trails.

It's 10:00 as I post this. I Zoom with Dr. S. at 11:00.