All I want is an extra body!

July, one of my favourite months. Ideally a moment when time stops, even if it is for a brief ten days, and all is warmth and slow living and forgetting what day of the week it is. Even getting dressed is a joy. Winter's laborious layers have been replaced with panties, sandals, dress. Done.

Last year we had the construction crew here the entire month. The year before I was in hospital. This time I had promised myself that simply enjoying the summer season would get top priority. Who knows how many we have left? Not only in general, but with both of us functioning in this wonderful place. I promised I would NOT allow myself to get sucked into super busyness. 

I lied.

I rejoined the farmers market. It is wonderful to be back there, but we do have to be aware of what day of the week it is. The market, a cheerful anarchy thus far, also has to form a society and I promptly got sucked into the busywork and politics surrounding that. Old Dutch was wondering if I was turning into a "honcho". Not. But somebody has to do these things. With no day job, good health, and no ailing dependants I have fewer excuses than most. 

The market leads to more reflexology clients at home which is partly good and partly not. I'd rather get them in November, but we have to make that hay while the sun shines. Please do not take this as a complaint. Few things in life match the satisfaction of seeing someone leave your room feeling much better than they did coming in. "Healers' high" we call it. No munchies involved.

I almost got the planting work done in the garden but not quite, and of course now we are in watering/thinning/harvesting mode. Details soon on the garden blog, which is another thing I really want to attend to. 

What it all boils down to is I need an extra body. I love or at least do not mind every one of my tasks. I can spend hours picking raspberries and enjoy every minute of it. I like cooking and preserving, especially with the aid of good radio or an audiobook. I don't even mind cleaning house and mowing lawns. I do mind the feeling of never being done and missing out.

I can hear the Buddhist admonitions. I know. Just be in the moment. yadayadayada. Note duly taken. What I really want is an extra body. One to sit here with a second coffee and some internet time, and one to be in the garden watering. (never mind why, it has to be done by hand) One to go to the beach and one to sit in the shade with a book. One to make dinner for tonight and one to finally transplant the rest of the sweet basil. One to tend the garden and one to make a few trips. We get the picture. 

Oh well. I once again remind myself that I'd rather wake up in the morning wondering where to get started than wondering why I should bother getting up. 
Meanwhile we give thanks for good health, good family and a place in paradise to live, ducktaped armchair and worn kitchen floor and all. To Whom or What it may concern.

Canada Day 2014

I donned white jeans and my fire engine red t shirt, the only day of the year I wear it. It is really not my colour. 

Thus appropriately attired I joined the festive crowds in the village. Not everyone does the red and white thing but many do, it adds to the fun. 


Those small town celebrations are very touching, with a Norman Rockwell sort of feel. The weather was perfect, the setting idyllic. Wait, I can show the scene at least from an older picture.

An extra farmers market was set up on the street just above the lake beach, across from the band stand. A large lawn surrounds the band stand where things were happening. Families hanging out, demonstrations of parkour and athletic stuff, and a race with cardboard boats below us on the beach. 
The volume of the music, a combination of live and DJ, was bearable, most of it fairly mellow Country stuff, as far as my musically illiterate ears could tell. The only thing that bugged me was a song that went on and on about Stars and Stripes, but then, what could be more Canadian? Face it neighbours, we know a lot more about you than vice versa.

I had brought the camera but ended up being too busy doing feet. I am ticked off now that I did not get around to it. My market neighbour was also in red and white, it would have taken a moment to get that memory documented.

Introducing people to reflexology is fun. The trick is to get the first person into the chair. Once people see someone else sitting there all relaxed and blissed out they want to try it too. I have a system: I hail a local who has enjoyed reflexology in the past and offer a free mini session. This person is called the pump primer. It works like a charm.

They are always amazed by how good it feels and how limber they feel afterwards. Note to self: must remember to dig up one traveller's email and send her some information I promised.
We get these intense half hour encounters, during which nothing seems, nay, is, more important than the person in the chair. I can't wait to get to the computer to send them helpful information. Then it is on to the next one. I thought I had learned to pace myself but obviously not enough. I still felt fine during take down, but once we got home I was exhausted and spent the rest of the day doing nothing at all. Praise Dr. Oetker for thin crust spinach pizza on sale. The fireworks start at 10 when it is finally dark. I really wanted to go, it is such a fun atmosphere. However, by 9 it was clear that only true sleep would do so I conked out early. 

Market is starting to take up more time and energy aleady, and it is resulting in more clients, good! But we have to remember summer is short and precious, beach or lawn time must be claimed as a priority. See also: Honour the Sabbath, or The Importance of a weekly do nothing day. Oh wait, that is still in draft. Anyway, it is time to go outside.

Today we mow, water and mulch, tomorrow we beach. In terms of garden mind states, we have definitely switched from the obsession of May/June to the more leisurely mind set of July. Must update garden blog, but do the real thing first. OUT with me!