Apparently I Can Only Do One Thing At a Time. Maybe Two.

In the woods near my house
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

So, as you might be able to tell by the title, I’ve been having some trouble with multitasking.  I’m getting a lot written on my novel, and I’m almost done, which is super exciting to me.  However, I have not been blogging.  Or doing stuff in, you know, my real life.

I wrote a while ago about how I needed to go on a technology diet, to leave space for creativity in my head when I was being quiet and not occupying it with Candy Crush or checking Facebook.  I was somewhat successful with that.

I’ve found something my muse has liked recently, and that’s taking walks in the pool.  I’m always on the lookout for exercise I enjoy, and since I hate exercise, that doesn’t happen often.  I used to go on hikes with my brother, but since I moved out of Arizona, that doesn’t happen anymore.  😦  I hadn’t found anything to replace those weekly hikes, and I had put on a few pounds.  I tried walking at home, but I hate the humidity, and I hate feeling soaked in sweat.  I joined a gym that had cycling classes and yoga, and while I liked them, I got bored with them after awhile.  Then I broke my finger and couldn’t do yoga anymore, so I quit.

We have a neighborhood pool, and it’s hot here in Texas, so one morning, I decided to go out and walk the pool.  I walked for a half hour, and during that time, I had lots of ideas come to me.  My characters started speaking to me, and I came up with scenes that my book had been missing.  (The only problem is that I have to remember them when I get out of the pool.  Taking a pen and paper in with me doesn’t work that well.  Not that I tried it.)

I love that I’m super productive with my book and getting some exercise.  I just wish I was good at doing more than one thing at a time.

W is for Water

Austin, TX
Photo credit: Doree Weller

I love water.  I love being near water, in water, and drinking water.

There’s nothing nearly as relaxing to me as listening to the waves of the ocean.  During the years I was in Arizona, I missed that sound.  I love when it rains hard; the sound is relaxing, and it makes the world look softer.  After the rain, greens look greener, and everything smells cleaner.  I love sitting outside during rainstorms, if I can be in a place where I’m not getting drenched!

Every year, I used to go to the beach with a girlfriend.  The first year we went together, her vision was that we would sit on the beach and read.  That was an inconceivable waste to me.  I made a beeline for the ocean, where I could drift and float in the waves.  While I like sitting near bodies of water, its much more fun to go into it.

The first time I encountered the stream near my house, I took off my shoes and socks and waded in.  It was cold, but felt great on my feet.

In V for Vendetta, the scene that always touched me was after Evey gets out of captivity, she goes out during a storm, tips her head up to the rain, and says, “God is in the rain.”  I love that quote, and I’ve never been quite sure why.  The only thing I can figure is that rain feels very spiritual to me.  Not just that, but rain makes me think in poetry.

What are your feelings on water?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

My horoscope sign is Leo, so my element is supposed to be fire, but I identify far more with water.  As a teenager, fire and water were two of my favorite things to write bad poetry about. I love the sounds of the ocean, the smell, the taste.  I love floating in it and swimming into the waves.

Inspired by this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge at the Daily Post.

Hot Enough For You?

Arizona is not the place to go if you want to spend a lot of time outside in the summer.  The longer you’re here, the more you get used to it.  I wouldn’t say we’re stuck inside all summer, just that smart people do stuff outside in the early morning or in the shade.

My friend and I went hiking a few weeks ago.  As we were walking, a ranger passed us and asked us if we were the ones who got dehydrated.  My friend held up the gallon jug he carries.  I said we were fine but didn’t bother to point to my Camelbak, a backpack with a large bladder on it for me and my dog.  He thanked us and went on his way, and we laughed a little about people who don’t know about Arizona hiking.

When I first moved here, I had constant headaches until I learned that in AZ, you always drink twice as much water as you think you want.  Another friend visited from PA, an experienced hiker, and went hiking alone in the Superstition Mountains one day.  When he came back, he said that he hadn’t taken enough water because he had his water filtration kit, but there were no streams or pools anywhere!

The forecast today is a balmy 100 degrees, and I’m heading out to hike later today. I’ll take plenty of water and wear a hat.  And I’ll have a great time!