Chill

For the past few days, the weather here in San Antonio has been perfect. I spent the weekend afternoons on the patio. Hanging out. Doing nothing.

Well, I did do something.

I cracked the cover of a new book.
I groomed Arf and Woof.
I listened to music.
I let my mind wander down new paths.
I listened to birds.
I watched butterflies.
I laughed with my live-in handyman.

In short, I recharged.

And boy, did I ever need it. With all that's gone on this month, my batteries were low. Every day I was hearing that grinding noise each time I turned the key.

This morning, I started right up.

Recharging, renewal, regrouping - whatever you choose to call this experience - is vital to the writing process.

Our bodies tire, grow weary, refuse to function properly without proper food, rest, and exercise. So do our minds and our imaginations.

So the next time you're chillin' . . .

Enjoy.

You're feeding your soul.

Comments

Aubrie said…
Everytime I wander away from writing to "recharge" I get more fodder to write with! And it seems like my mind works on my stories in the back of my thoughts because when I come back to them, the words flow out. I'm glad you had a nice weekend!
Mason Canyon said…
What a wonderful way to look at it. Our minds do get overloaded sometimes without us even realizing it. We think if we take care of our bodies we've done all there is to do. Not so. Thanks for the reminder. Glad you had a great weekend.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Great reminder to enjoy the moment! So often I don't do that. Thanks for the reminder, Carol!

Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Southpaw said…
You are so right. I've been doing a lot of that lately. ;)
Joanne said…
Oh so true, what a necessary part of our creative menu. Without the right nutrition, the muse suffers!
Sounds delightful! Glad you got the chance to just chill!
Conda Douglas said…
So very true! This reminded me of this Saturday when I drove down the freeway with my emergency brake on...talk about a need to let go.
Elspeth Futcher said…
With all that has been going on in your life lately, I'm sure you needed the time to power down and recharge. Good for you!
I had to wear myself out to give myself a recharge break. But it is wonderful, especially when you have nice weather....

Of course, nice weather is relative. My sister and niece came (from California) to visit this Easter, and to look at going to college here in Michigan. Part way through the visit, my sister suddenly turned to my niece and said:

"Oh, you should know that this is a really warm day in Michigan."

We had to spend some time assuring the niece that she wasn't kidding.
Carol Kilgore said…
Aubrie - So true. I love when the words flow.

Mason - I'd definitely reached overload status.

Elizabeth - So often I don't enjoy the moment either. I even note it to myself when I don't. How bad is that?

Southpaw - I think we recharge when we need to, whether we want to or not.

Joanne - You're right. It's often hard to know when it's needed, though. At least it is for me.

Karen - Me, too :)

Conda - I'm laughing. I can see myself doing that. I imagine you wondered why your car was sluggish - LOL

Elspeth - I needed it BAD!

Daring - So right about the weather being relative. Here it's in the 50s at night, mid 80s in the afternoon, sunny, low humidity. Ahhh... I really need to stay inside and work this afternoon. Will I?
Helen Ginger said…
Great post, Carol. Sometimes you do have to recharge. You may not even realize it until you're forced to step away from the computer, then you come back happier and more enthused.

Helen
Straight From Hel
Talli Roland said…
Sounds like you had a lovely weekend! Recharging is so vital. Sometimes I try to do nothing but I have to admit I do find it hard.
I love days like that - especially when I'm able to ignore the guilt feelings that usually accompany them. Allowing our bodies to rejuvenate is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.
Carol Kilgore said…
Helen - That's usually the way it happens with me.

Talli - It was lovely.

Jane - I liked it so much it may become a weekend habit ... until summer heats up.
Anonymous said…
Recharging is vital to a swriter's sanity, a precious commodity for any author. Naps work wonders too.

Stephen Tremp
Anonymous said…
What a wonderful thing to read today. Thank you so much for sharing. It's wonderful you were able to take a weekend and rejuvenate! Hope your day has gone just as you wanted it to.
Carol Kilgore said…
Stephen - I'm not much of a napper. But go for it if it works for you.

Kimberly - Half & Half.
Good for you! I need to do that, too. Thanks for the reminder.
Arlee Bird said…
Gotta take the time to do it every once in a while. I can dig it and I will soon.

Lee
A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post
Glynis said…
When I was working as a patient representative at a state hospital, there were days I wouldn't go in and called in for a "mental health day". Believe it or not, my boss would ok it as long as it didn't happen too often. I felt that I did better at my job because of those days which I took about once every three months. Writing isn't any different.
Laura Eno said…
I'm on the same wavelength, doing nothing but reading for the past few days.

Would you please send over some of your recharge juice? I haven't hit that point yet and I need to get back to work... :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Kathi - Put it on your calendar.

Arlee - Good for you.

Glynis - Mental Health Day. I like that. Totally appropriate.

Laura - I tried emailing you some recharge juice. It bounced back and splashed in my eye :)
Lola Sharp said…
Yay for recharging!! :)

I'm new here, from Barkowski's...fun blog you have here.

~Lola
Carol Kilgore said…
Welcome to Under the Tiki Hut, Lola. I'm happy you're here. Comments are free :)
VR Barkowski said…
Amen, Carol. While I've figured out how to take a day and recoup, I've yet to master not feeling guilty.

Oh, and I have a little something for you over on my blog.
Carol Kilgore said…
I didn't feel guilty about this weekend at all. I'll be right over...
Yeah, chillin' is good. That's what I'm going to do this weekend.
Carol Kilgore said…
Great! I wonder if I can have a deja-two?

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