It’s March 31, 2019. I have been sick for six days now. Five days I’ve been home, stir crazy, eating the same food, seeing the same view. Thursday and Friday were the hardest. I couldn’t breathe thru my nose, my body sore from coughing, and challenged to sleep. Saturday was better. I slept a lot. I did manage to finish the Erin and Ben Napier book, “Make Something Good Today”.

Inspired to paint, sketch, knock out walls, I did just that! In my bed, with my eyes heavy and trying to stay open, I imagined our little apartment with walls knocked out, shelves put up and less furniture. It was dreamy. I organized my closet, pulling out everything and really giving a thought to why I keep things. I know what I’ll get rid of now that I have thought it thru.

From our bed, I can see my patio, with over grown plants, loose leaves, and peanut shells littering the pots. Mark had left to the gym and to do some work. I would have a least two hours to myself. A little sweeping, a little clipping and I could be done in an hour.

The morning was bright and cool. No clouds. Lots of crows and seagulls chatting, other birds singing. The patio was better than expected. One of our umbrellas was tipping to one side, not balanced in the base. I had switch it to another base. I have four umbrella bases and three umbrellas for a reason I cannot remember. The ivy from next door was making its way onto our fence, but not in a fierce scary way. Peanut shells were few. My own plants were the ones that needed loving care. My geraniums were starting to bloom crawling their way out of the pots. My calla lily had one brown bloom, which I trimmed off with the other brown leaves. Then I sat to rest.

I got up again to move and shift pots in better sun catching positions. Swept a quarter of the patio and then sat to rest. It was so quiet, even with the bird chatter. I swept the next quarter, re-hung the extension cord that Mark uses to charge his laptop, cell phone, IPad and whatever else he may use when he’s writing. I swept one more quarter and then sat to rest.

The last thing was to stack pots and saucers, covering the loose soil I had in one pot so a wandering cat would not find it. I have an old folding teak table that I use to repot my plants. It has spaces so when I plant, the loose soil falls into the paint pail I have below. It’s the perfect size and height and it has worn beautifully.

I hosed down the patio, washing off whatever loose soil and leaves may still be hiding. In California, not always a good practice to wash down your patio. That’s why I sweep, so I only use enough water to wash the loose bits. No use to sit now, as I rinsed off the chairs and table. With the hose put away, and the light shimmering off the wet pavement, everything felt so fresh. It was time for a nap.