The Night Before My Day Off

On Tuesday, I took the day off from work. I really needed it. Tuesday was my day off, but I’m not going to tell you about Tuesday. I’m going to tell you about Monday night because it was even better than Tuesday. On Monday night, I still had the whole of Tuesday ahead of me—all that freedom, all that possibility.

My fun began at precisely four on Monday afternoon, the moment my workday ended. I raced out to the yard and gardened for three hours, running the weedeater and mowing the lawn. As I worked in my inefficient way, often just standing there “gazing,” as I like to say, I noticed some neat things: roses and Alabama azaleas in bloom, a hawk perched on a branch above the pond, and a box turtle eating a worm. The Ashe magnolias were sporting their pale, gigantic flowers that smell even more lemony than lemons.

At about seven, I took a picture of my teddy bear Paulette sitting under her parasol on a log in the backyard. Paulette is a great model and looked completely captivating in her fancy hat and pearls, but the real reason I took the picture was to celebrate the log. The log is so cool. I love how it’s decorated all over with mushrooms and ferns, and what a nice seat it makes.

After I went inside for the evening, I did the most mundane chores—but everything was fun fun fun because I didn’t have to work the next day. I sang as I fed the cats. I folded the laundry with care because I could—because I had time. When I sat down to watch CSI on Hulu with Buntin, Rob, and a big bowl of homemade popcorn, the lamps in the living room were golden and glowing and I felt like I’d arrived at the most wonderful party.

Our “lawn” is really just weeds, but it looks pretty great when it’s mowed.

Paulette on the fabulous log:

Oxeye sunflowers blooming in the meadow. It’s spring!