Life in the Slow, Slower, Slowest Lane

My friend Scott in repose.

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Time Out!

When I was a little girl running hard and playing hard

We had a universal  “shout out” signal.

We would scream,

“TIME OUT!!!!!!”.

It meant we needed to stop,

mostly to catch our breath.

Today I am calling for a TIME OUT again,

a retreat from blogging just for a while,

until I catch my breath.

Wait for me.

I shall return!

Photograph/illustration found on stilettosontheglassceiling

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The Art of Effective Lounging

This is Teddy, Shop/Guard Dog
Virginia Born & Bred, Lexington, VA

I do not ordinarily share these secrets with just anyone, but since you asked, here are  my Rules for Effective Lounging:

• Create an environment conducive to frequent naps and luxurious lying around.  You can start with traditional methods like stretching out on a lawn chair by a pool.  A hammock in the shade is also a nice alternative.  But really, there is nothing like a soft couch with lots of downy pillows.  The latter is my choice for the best setup of all.

• Surround yourself with favorite foods and drink and place all beverages and edibles within reachable distance so you never have to get up.  Best to just lean a bit to get to the cheese and crackers.

• Have ample reading material at arm’s length for a variety of activities while prone.  Consider the area within three feet of you to be your Lounging Center and nothing worthwhile can be outside the boundaries of a reachable distance.

• Extremely Important:  Never forget to have handy the remote controls for your television.

• Keep your cell phone nearby so you don’t have to get up except for dire emergencies or dinner, and don’t plan on answering it unless you can’t resist.

• Draw the curtains in advance for a softer, dreamier atmosphere, or if it’s evening, dim the lights.  Foggy, rainy days are perfect.

• Lock and bolt the doors before you lie down and don’t answer knocks or doorbells (crouch down so as not to be seen through windows).

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing, for rolling over and ease in changing positions – nothing binding.

• Additional possible Lounging Accessories at arm’s length:  a back scratcher;
  a pen and pad for notes; hand lotion; eye pad; glasses; extra pillows for under your feet; napkins for spills.

The 1929 Coca-Cola Slogan was, “The Pause that Refreshes.”  It’s time now to take the ultimate pause.  The trouble is, it’s a pause that can last all day.  Take it from me.  I know.  I am an expert at the art of effective lounging.

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Sloth Time

My body has a clock of its own with an alarm that winds up screaming, “Quit trying so hard and relax.  Give it up kid!  Rest! Take a day off now and then.”

So, today is a Shut-Down Day – Quiet Time – Time for R&R.  In the old days I called it “Sloth Time” – a day for reading in bed munching crackers – a time to feel decadent and depraved for ignoring life’s responsibilities.

I shouldn’t even be writing this because I’m on Sloth Time today, but fellow bloggers have said to just start writing and new ideas will come.  O.k., I’m waiting.

Sloth Time is embarrassing though, so I’m wearing my pedometer just in case there is an urge for healthy movement.  Well, at least I’m not in bed with cracker crumbs! But it’s 11AM and the pedometer dial shows a total of 56 steps.  Whoop!

No idea what to cook for dinner this evening.

Laundry is waiting.

Dog needs attention and exercise.

Husband could use help in the garden.

Ironing is piling up.

Things calling to be organized, cleaned, prepared.

And here I sit – shut down.

Hurrah!  It’s Sloth Time!

Sorry, no words coming for this blog.

Maybe if I hang in there, the words will emerge.

From National Geographic
A Two-Toed Sloth

The definition of a sloth:   Extreme laziness. Aversion to work or movement. One of the seven deadly sins.  A tree-dwelling animal named for his extremely slow movements.

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