Have you ever made plans, only to see them fall through?
Yeah. Me too.
I’m supposed to be in Italy right now. Because after a stressful Spring, what’s better than guzzling—I mean SIPPING wine under the Tuscan sun? Only I’m NOT in Italy, because LIFE. Instead, I’m stuck in my house.
I know. Nobody feels sorry for me.
Shitty circumstances stripped me of my dreamy Italian getaway and handed me……….a blank holiday weekend. No appointments. No events. No plans. Nowhere I had to be.
When was the last time
YOU had absolutely nothing
on your weekend calendar?
Here’s how I made the best of absolutely nothing:
- I read. I turned off the computer, silenced my phone and curled up in bed. One book helped me recall who I used to be: A woman who loves to explore the world through a good book, without feeling guilty that I *should* be doing something else.
- I sat outside in the sun. We found a quiet corner table overlooking the marsh. Over food that was too fiery and drinks that weren’t quite cold, we held hands, eschewed sunblock and just talked. About everything. About nothing.
- I spent unexpected time with friends. Life is too busy to see anyone these days. When we dropped by a friend’s house for a few minutes, we found ourselves on their back porch for hours. Watching the sunset. Sipping scotch. Catching up with people we wish we saw more often.
- I played cards. I shuffled. MTM cut. I dealt hand after hand while we played footsie under the table. No screens. Phones I-don’t-know-where. We indulged in an old fashioned game of chance. I won’t reveal what I won. *wink*
- I napped. A mid-afternoon snooze is the most decadent thing on earth. Before screens conquered the world, I used to worship at the Altar of Napping almost every afternoon, and I came back to work refreshed and uber-productive. I’m glad a cancelled trip reminded me that naps help my brain to fire.
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29 Comments
I structure my life around weekends like the one you describe. One of my most cherished “skills” is that I can nap ANYwhere at ANYtime. Sometimes, I chastise myself for not having the proper amount of drive to be an author and musician, but as Popeye said: “I yam what I yam.” As with most everything, balance is key. Sometimes, I get it right and, sometimes I visit Freakoutland. But all in all, I’m just not very Type A.
We don’t often have weekends like we had. I’m always itching to go away. We live in a place everyone wants to visit, and I live to leave it. Ha.
Naps. I am becoming fond of them as I grow older. Nancy has been extolling their virtues forever. Just wish I would nap a bit less and get a few tasks done more.
Very sorry about the Italy trip though. I had wondered about that news story I heard relaying how Italian wine sales were down. They sure were looking forward to your trip too.
It is what it is. I’ve been in a pretty bad place, because I powered through my book touring with the carrot of 10 days in Italy at the end. We were on a team, and we had to pull out of the group, which really sucked.
I’m really very sorry that your “escape” to Italy has been sidelined…I hope it can materialize later this year. But I think the way you chose to use your time sounds nourishing and nurturing to the pair of you! I think we all need weekends that mirror yours. It sounds delightful! ox
MTM got into L’Eroica again, so we are going in October. I have a delightful circuit of seeing Jim (above) and Laura in Portland, seeing you in San Diego, seeing other friends in Houston, and getting on a plane the next day to fly out for a week in Italy. I’m not riding bikes. I’m not working. I’m just drinking and eating.
As much as I’d love some Tuscan sunshine, I’d take a nothing weekend. I love those. Lots of reading and lounging and ice cold beer, with no particular place to go.
I forgot how important those weekends are. I’m not totally sorry the universe reminded me.
One of the perks of being at the cabin during the weekends is that I sleep out on the porch in my tent cot and I read my nook. Yes, it’s decadent. Yes, I’d prefer a book but reading under the sleeping bag with a flashlight is overrated for these “older” eyes of mine…so, I read my nook within my sleeping bag. 🙂 I look forward to this time alone every time we go. 🙂
It sounds like you had such a lovely time Andra. So romantic. *sigh*
I still want my cabin. MTM sent me a lengthy apology for the years it’s taken and I STILL DON’T HAVE ONE. I’m back to pretty heavy writing now, which impacts my reading time. But I’m writing, so that’s good, right?
I think that’s GREAT! Our own cabin would be heavenly! We do all the work at the cabin but it is Mike’s families cabin – have I mentioned there’s no love lost between the sisters and I (save one) and I’m not allowed to speak? Yeah, but they rarely go up there (maybe 3 times a year) so it’s all good…. I can hardly wait for you to get your cabin. Bliss. That’s what I’d call it. Hang in there Andra – glad you’re writing and I can hardly wait to read what you’ve written.
Wow. I’m sorry your trip fell through, Andra. But I’m glad you made the best of the situation. I love sitting outside with cool beverages at my fingertips.
P.S. I saw your exciting announcement!!! Wooo hoo!!!!! I tweeted. 😀
Lemons go with life, but I like sugar with mine. Thanks for sharing. You know how these things go, but it’s awesome to be nominated.
Yay!!! I got my newsletter, congratulations!!! We spent an unplanned long weekend at home too and enjoyed the chance to sleep in, take long walks and see a movie. I’m so sorry to hear about Italy trip #1 but am happy to hear you found a silver lining or two. 🙂
Which movie did you see? I’d love to be there and hike some more. We managed to squeeze one hike in, and it wasn’t enough. Also, that waterfall is probably dry now. 🙁
We saw Tomorrow Land and really enjoyed it. :). I’m having fun planning our summer “staycation” now with lists of great day hikes that should get out to the mountains, islands and waterfront all in the same week. I’ll share our choices as it all comes together. The days should be beautiful but I know our lack of water and snowpack is really going to be visible. 🙁
Is that a bottle of Vueve Clicquot? That actually sounds like a wonderful weekend, Andra. Sometimes the best times when there are no plans and you can simply relax.
Yes. It’s my go-to splurge when I need a pick-me-up or want to celebrate something really special.
It’s the best champagne I’ve ever had the good fortune of tasting. 🙂
Chapuy is also really good for a few dollars less. I only get The Widow at Costco. It’s several dollars cheaper there.
We’re getting a Costco in our backyard, so I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for the info!
i’m sorry about italy, but i do love when there is nothing on the agenda )
Me too. It was awesome.
Good that you found alternatives and possibilities in the void.
There’s a story about Hirohito, the late emperor of Japan, who reportedly had such a rigid, jam-packed schedule that when a meeting was unexpectedly canceled at the last minute and no one remembered to tell him until he walked into an empty room, he declared it one of the happiest moments of his life.
My life isn’t nearly as regimented as that, but I admit to feeling a rush of joy when certain obligations fall through, whether at the last minute or not. 🙂
Thank you for the eloquent reminder! School is about to let out and I’ve got a novel to finish and we’re short one R.N. for my son and…. I must make time to do nothing.
I had one of those blank weekends just a few weeks ago. Love them.
[I don’t think that your feed is coming through on My Feedly feed. Just found this post when I stopped by to make sure you were still here. *sigh* Now I’m off to see what’s up with the system that is supposed to be making my life easier.]
I wish I could help you, Ally. I’m still struggling through several things that don’t work quite right on this site. Please resubscribe via Feedly and let me know what happens. I’ve been away from the internet in the wake of the Charleston shootings, and I’m working on the sequel to To Live Forever all the time. I’m still here. Just not posting regularly right now. Thanks for checking on me.
I unfollowed you and then re-followed you. Suddenly, there you were in My Feedly feed. So all is good!
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