The Joy Of Doing Nothing

Today only has 8 hours left in it as I begin this post, and I have not left the hotel room and/or balcony all day.  I failed again to get a sunrise photo, which is really sad since all I have to do is roll out of bed, walk onto the balcony and watch it come up.  We are on the East side of the hotel for pete's sake! Have I mentioned that the beds in this room are very comfortable?  The A/C is aggressive, which I appreciate when I am going to sleep, but if you are just sitting around in here, it can get a little chilly.  If you turn it down, however, it goes from chilly to stuffy in about 60 seconds.  Today is the first day of Fall and I don't want to talk about it.  I looked at the long range forecast for home (both of my homes to be exact), and there is nothing even resembling Fall.  I do see Fall in my personal forecast, however, because in 16 days, my mom and I are driving to NYC to see our working girl, and I will have jackets in tow.  I mean today it is 90 degrees there, but I am optimistic.

Here is what I have done so far today:

1.  Got out of bed
2.  Got back in bed
3.  Went out onto the balcony
4.  Repeat 1-3 about 6 times

In between those events, I managed to eat some toast with homemade apple butter, some hummus with cucumber and parmesan crisps, and leftover pepperoni and pineapple pizza.  I made the apple butter last weekend because I refused to throw away an entire bag of apples that I should not have bought last week.  They were beautiful on the outside, but were the mushy kind on the inside, and I just cannot eat them.  I found a recipe for apple butter and voila'---breakfast spread.  I also brought along some sourdough bread from Artisanal Baked Goods in Anniston, and since their bread is best toasted, I brought along the toaster.  It took the place on the desk of the coffee maker, which I relegated to the floor, because I don't drink coffee.

Back to doing nothing.  It comes with guilt and it shouldn't.  We live in a society where we are all expected to do stuff all the time.  The first question asked when you come back to work on Monday is "how was your weekend?"  If you say "perfect," that question may be followed by "what did you do?"  If you say "nothing," you may get this incredulous look thrown at you, as if a perfect weekend would never include doing absolutely nothing.  I love going on road trips, and to ballgames and to new restaurants, but there are times when I just need to do nothing.  My favorite thing to do on a Saturday is to lay in my hammock on our screened in porch and either read or doze off for a nap.  We should not feel guilt for just being.  I mean God actually created a day for us to do just that.  That whole day of rest thing is important.

I did manage to do some things.  I read, I watched a couple of shows on my iPad, I ironed my clothes, and I tidied up the room some.  Oh, and I showered...….at 3:00.  I have already mentioned that I don't go to the beach during the day unless it is overcast or I have a huge umbrella or tent to sit under.  I have none of those things, so today, I looked at the water from the shade of my balcony, and it was quiet and breezy and perfect.

After Anthony's conference was finished for the day, he headed back up to the room, and I got dressed and we went to Louisiana Lagniappe for dinner with co-workers.

 

 I met a couple of people that I had not met the night before, and as usual, the food was outstanding.  Everything there has a Cajun flair to it, so I got the blackened grouper topped with lump crab meat and lobster in a hollandaise sauce.  It was delicious, and was served with a twice baked potato.  All of that plus a salad, appetizers and dessert. In case you don't already know, there are some really great restaurants on the Gulf coast of Alabama, and I have eaten at two of the best while down here.  I have also eaten a LOT of fish.  I am not a huge fish eater, but since I am trying to cut down on my red meat, and I am at the beach, I have decided to eat more fish, and all three of my selections have been quite good.  I may be full of mercury, but it has been completely worth it.

We are back in the hotel room, and I am about to get in my comfy clothes and head back to the balcony.  Tomorrow, I do plan to get out and do some exploring, so getting out of bed will be necessary.  Since Anthony has a night event to attend, I will also be at the beach from late afternoon, until he comes to get me.  The water's edge is calling my name.