It’s not unusual for me to report that I’m taking a break for a day or two. Even then, though, I never stop completely — I’m addicted to being productive, committed to making the most of every day I’m alive. So I still do small things, low-effort tasks, and the usual chores.
Yesterday was different.
The dogs had me up earlier than usual, and I got to glimpse the last glow of aurora borealis.
I made a pot of coffee and enjoyed it as I watched the sky brighten with the creeping dawn. A leisurely shower seemed like the next logical thing to do. I got dressed for the day.
And then… nothing.
On this summer Tuesday I committed to not being productive. I relaxed. I read and I wrote. I hung out with Scout and Smudge. I didn’t break a sweat and I didn’t strain a muscle.
I accomplished exactly zero — on purpose.
No, that’s not like me. I’ll admit that for the first few hours, I resisted, and I mean actively, my predisposition to do stuff. But eventually I settled in.
It seemed to me that this was necessary. I had to stop. I’ve been so hyper-focused on making this place a home that I haven’t truly paused. I haven’t slumped. I haven’t stopped.
I believe it’ll pay dividends mentally as well as physically.
The Mountain is about to get wet again.
Look at the northernmost counties on that map of Arkansas. Right in the center, see that dark-orange blob? It spans the White River between Marion County and Baxter County. The Mountain is smack in the middle.
According to the map’s legend, dark-orange indicates four to six inches of rain between now and Sunday. It’s since been revised down to three or four inches, and that could change, too.
Most of it, they say, will come with storms. Temperatures are expected to moderate a little. I hope it stays cloudy, for the sake of cabin comfort.
The first bloom on the big musk thistle has gone to seed.
There’s more where that came from, however — I counted 17 other buds and blooms on the same plant.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath #Ungovernable