Hello everyone,
Hope you’re all well and happy. I’m delighted to report that I sent off the first draft of the next book last week (after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between me and my editor the title has been decided on, but I’m sworn to secrecy for another while) so I’m enjoying the brain downtime until it comes bouncing back with a list of the parts that need improving! I’m catching up on jobs that had to wait, like tidying up the garden after the winter (badly needed) and power hosing the moss and weeds from between the paving bricks (messy) and giving my poor neglected feet and nails some pampering (appointments booked) and just chilling in general. I’m also trying to get back into yoga after a long lazy winter, so I’m doing a 27 minute video before dinner each day – we’ll see how long that lasts! (The video, in case anyone is interested, is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mx24iENIEY) And the day after I handed over the draft, I indulged in a little retail therapy – a long-standing tradition, even if I only buy a few new smalls. It’s my pat on my head for getting to the finish line.
In other news, I’ve given up everything nice for Lent – wine, chocolate, cakes, sweets, crisps, biscuits, desserts – you get the idea. Amazingly, I’ve stuck to it like glue, apart from taking a break for St Patrick’s Day – apparently Irish people get a special dispensation on that day (!!) so I treated myself to a few sweeties. I’m going on a weekend away with pals on Friday though, and there’s just no point in saying I won’t drink wine with that lot, BUT I covered that by starting Lent two days before Ash Wednesday! I’m just so organised…
I’m LOVING the long stretch in the evenings since the clocks went forward on Saturday night. I do miss sitting out on a bright calm evening with a glass of vino…….lots of opportunities ahead hopefully, during summer 2023. Photo shows daffs from Aldi in a gorgeous vase a pal bought me on the publication of The Daisy Picker, way back in 2004. Can you believe I haven’t let it fall? (Of course I’ve jinxed it now….!)
Look after yourselves, enjoy the great outdoors.
