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After the euphoria of a return home, there is often times a period of recalibration. How do I manage life now, in my old environment? Should I make adjustments? 

Ed is out at the firm today, working on his new machine design. I tell him I'll be doing some house cleaning in his absence. In there is a hint that perhaps I shouldn't be doing so much housecleaning, because, well, you know, it should not be a one person job when two people inhabit a space? Recalibrate.

I have my annual check up. I'm thrilled with this: I can discuss with my doc the ways I could improve my strength. She tells me I'm already strong. And she is correct, except in the places where she is not correct. Recalibrate. 

I eat breakfast very late. Call it brunch and an unhealthy one at that -- I stopped by Madison Sourdough to get cookies for Sparrow and of course, I could not resist their cinnamon roll. Wait, wasn't I hell bent on making Bircher Muesli when I got home from Switzerland? But of course, you have to do that the night before breakfast. Recalibrate.

 

 

I check my smart watch health data every night. Mostly I like to see what the step count was for the day. During the three weeks I was in Europe, I'd walk at least 15 000 and as much a 25 000 steps every day. But how does that happen here? Even if I found the time for it, wouldn't it get awfully repetitive to do in the new development -- the place of my nearest walking path? Should I do less? Should I go to a gym? Should I just forget steps and work on my garden? Recalibrate.

Typically by mid April I am ready to start planting. Annuals in tubs, perennials into the ground. Plants that I ordered back in January are arriving next week. Annuals I purchase locally. But am I ready for all this? The daffodils are just starting to bloom! I review the list of flowers that I need to put in this year. Did I really purchase a rose? Another clematis? Where am I going to plant these? What was I thinking? Recalibrate. 

The morning just disappears on me. 

I pick up both kids today. 

Snowdrop has two more days of intense homework, as she tries to master another grade level of work -- an option given in her (public) school. Between that and Sparrow's reentry into farmhouse routines I'd say we have our hands full.

 

 

So in the early evening, I go for a walk. I should be working on supper. But you know, there are too many sentences already in the this post that have an "I should" motif in them. Perhaps I should, instead, just go for a walk and not think about much at all.  

Great plan! Fully realized. No recalibration needed.

with love...