Synchronized Advice

The last Dropbox share with a publisher left mixed feelings, predominantly joyful relief preceding a hole in my life. What do I do now?

A writer friend, when he heard the news, expressed my emotions well and added a piece of advice. “My experience is that I have ‘post production let down’ after projects are completed and I'm forced to rest a bit.  I hope you are taking a few moments to relax and recuperate from all the effort!!” Oddly enough, the pastor’s sermon the following Sunday addressed the need to remove oneself from busywork and spend time in solitude and renewal. I took the two corresponding bits of advice as a sign. So, for this week, I am backing off my general workaholic nature and spending my time in refreshing.

There is a jigsaw puzzle in progress.

I have started a Louise Penny novel, A Fatal Grace, reading that is only for pleasure. I consider her a modern-day Agatha Christie. The book will not improve my character, make me more intelligent, or raise questions of justice in the world. I did get the giggles pretty soon when she observed, “It was almost impossible to electrocute someone these days, unless you were the governor of Texas.” Also, up for this relaxing time is the latest Ruta Sepetys novel, I Must Betray You, which might raise some thought questions but is guaranteed to be a gripping read.

There are walks planned to watch the trees turn green.

I have several Jeopardy programs to catchup with that I recorded because I didn’t have the time to watch.

Perhaps, the best of all is sitting in my favorite chair watching out my window as two future basketball playing grandsons next door sharpen their skills.

Ideas of what I want to start next niggle in my head even as I concentrate on resting. And with any luck at all, there will soon be shareable news about that package I sent to the publisher.