Creativity Pockets


This past week I've been fighting a sinus infection and gave up yesterday.  I saw the doctor for some modern medicine and hopefully I'll be back to normal soon.  He said that this year has been a terrible year for airborne illnesses.  Good to know!  I was taking it personally.

One day (ONE) I witnessed the sun peeking out to say hello and to prove itself of its existence.  I walked around the yard with Frodo and snapped some much needed photos.  The sun was out for a couple of hours and then the cloudiness returned. 

I lingered in the sunshine soaking up the rays like the garter snakes in my backyard.  I can see the attraction to sunbathing in winter.


As you know I've been documenting in my daily planner my creative pursuits and have been reflecting on how I spend my time.  One of the biggest changes is how purposeful I am with my time. 

My mornings are for the gym, errand running and doing daily chores.  I try my best to keep the afternoons opened when I can for my artwork or knitting. 


I've noticed when I'm not feeling well I read books or watch art tutorials on you-tube.  Then there is the occasional do-nothing-but-day-dream away.  Is it wasted time?  I don't think so.  Sometimes you cannot schedule everything and not every single minute has to be purposeful living.

What I like about my daily creativity planner is the creativity pockets of time that are there for me if I want them.  I can choose to sit and paint or I can choose to sit and knit. 

There are days when I do nothing creatively.  Usually it's my babysitting day on Tuesday.  When I come home my brain is toast.  I gave up cooking on Tuesday as well.  It seems that just not expecting anything is the best medicine for a work day for me.

Watching a preschooler is tiring! (I don't know how I had the endless energy when I was a mom of littles)



In other news, I'm completely sold on fountain pens and the power of the written word.  How nice to sit down and write buckets of ideas.  Even though I am languishing in finishing two sweaters I am planning the next knit excitedly on paper. 

I started reading a new book, Warlight.  I picked this book up while in Canada and so far the story is engaging.  On my Kindle I'm still reading A Better Man.  I tend to read this on the treadmill so I'm not rushing through the story.  I believe many of you were disappointed in this Gamache book and I guess I can see why and I'm only half way through it.



Happy Valentine's day!  This year Holly (with my help) gave my husband a valentine, since he is her all time favorite even though I scooped her up off of the side of the road and saved her life.  It was a huge hit.  Who knew that there are valentines from cats and dogs. 



Thank you for all of your comments and for reading this space.  I read every single comment and try my best to visit your space if you have one linked to your profile.  This community of bloggers is wonderful and cosy. 

If you are new here, welcome!  So nice of you to visit!


Comments

  1. AsKatKnitsFebruary 14, 2020 at 8:06 AM

    I hope you are feeling better soon, Karen! Sinus-y things are just the pits! Have a great weekend (and sometimes doing nothing is purposeful and entirely needed!) and Happy Valentine's Day!

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  2. BonnyFebruary 14, 2020 at 8:27 AM

    I'm also sending along good recovery-from-your-sinus-infection thoughts. I like the idea of creativity pockets. I used to wait until I had an extended period of free time available before I started knitting or reading, but lately I've been taking advantage of those pockets of even five or ten minutes and it's been wonderful.

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  3. JuliannFebruary 14, 2020 at 9:44 AM

    I hope you are feeling better soon. I does seem to be quite the year for colds and coughs. I am working, mostly thinking about, being more aware of how I use my time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. VeraFebruary 14, 2020 at 9:47 AM

    I'm another one sending you healing thoughts. I agree that our blogging community is wonderful. Also I think daydreaming is a wonderful (and creative) way to spend time! Enjoy the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LeftycrafterFebruary 14, 2020 at 10:27 AM

    Daydreaming is never wasted time. I have solved the entire world's problems while daydreaming. I sure hope you are on the road to health. Frodo and Holly need you. You have me wanting a fountain pen now. I love to journal daily and am thinking a fountain pen would be so interesting to try on it. I remember when we lived in PA, it seemed the sun hid from November until Mid March. My husband had a horrible case of SAD while we where there. It didn't bother me as much but I was thrilled when the ice and snow disappeared .

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  6. wisps of wordsFebruary 14, 2020 at 10:50 AM

    So happy that you went to see a doctor, for your sinus infection. In today's world, there are things, which we need an Rx for. I fear, the germs and 'nasties' have progressed, far beyond what they were, when only home remedies worked all the time.

    What could possibly be *wrong* with a do-nothing-but-day-dream-day? Our bodies need certain rest periods, and it is wise, to listen to them, when they "tell us," today is a rest time. -smile-

    Plus, being sick and your body fighting off an infection.......You really need more rest, than usual. So glad you take it. And please, no thoughts of *should I?* -smile-

    💕 💕 💕Happy Valentine Day💕 💕 💕

    ReplyDelete
  7. kathy bFebruary 14, 2020 at 8:26 PM

    Your comments are interesting because I came home not feeling right last night and just laid on the couch. No knitting. No email. Very odd for me. Today Im better and more productive

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jeannie Gray KnitsFebruary 15, 2020 at 10:22 AM

    Great photos! Hope you feel better soon. Sinus infections are horrid!

    ReplyDelete
  9. HonoréFebruary 15, 2020 at 12:36 PM

    Thank you for sharing your creativity pockets and plan ...very inspiring and sooo good for one's soul (mine, too!) Love your artwork and of course, the knitting. I hope you feel better soon if not already. Enjoy the balance of the weekend.
    Cheers~

    ReplyDelete
  10. Judy S.February 15, 2020 at 2:36 PM

    Hope today finds you feeling much better, Karen, and that you had a nice Valentine's despite the sinus infection! Sending hugs your way!

    ReplyDelete
  11. CathieJFebruary 15, 2020 at 7:24 PM

    I hope your sinus infection clears up quickly. We have had exactly one day of sun recently also, today when it was only 23 degrees outside. Definitely not conducive to any outdoor activities. Your pup Valentine is adorable. I am so glad that you are enjoying your pockets of creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  12. sustainablemumFebruary 16, 2020 at 3:38 AM

    I am sorry to hear that you have had a sinus infection, they are so painful, I do hope the meds helped to fight that off.

    Winter sunshine, yes it is special isn't it, the warmth of it is all the more wanted than at other times of year. We welcomed a little of it this week as well.

    I am loving hearing about your creativity journalling it sounds like it is bringing a shape to your life that you are really happy with. Days of rest are just as important as any other, I am glad to hear that you are embracing them, I love them too. Hope you are having a good weekend x

    ReplyDelete
  13. MaryFebruary 16, 2020 at 8:25 AM

    Trust you're feeling better now! I totally get how exhausted you must be on Tuesdays (glad you were able to give up cooking) ... I love the idea of simply sitting and daydreaming. I try to do that every morning with my journal, recording some of those thoughts (with my fountain pen) and letting some just meander away....

    ReplyDelete
  14. GraceFebruary 17, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    I know that as I write this you are feeling better (I seem to be reading my blogs backwards) and that makes me happy! I enjoyed A Better Man, although I did miss the usual characters. I like the Gamache novels best when they take place in Three Pines, but let's face it, the town is only so big! : ) I heard from my daughter that the next book will take place in Paris. Wouldn't it be great if the whole gang went there?

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  15. StefanieFebruary 17, 2020 at 8:26 PM

    I keep seeing these glass, fountain pens around Pinterest and IG; they look beautiful. I have a Pilot pack but need to use them with certain paper as they didn't soak into my planner. I'm curious, can you show a day of your creative planning? I need to get started on mine; K-dramas have been sucking me in.

    ReplyDelete

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