Ok, now what?

Most teachers across the nation are pretty much finished with their duties for the year.

Ok, so now what?

I can't, er, write for anyone else. Today, though, I slept in.

This writing is usually finished by 5:30, then I make coffee, then I proofread, then I post. It's going on 9 am already.

Yesterday, I cleaned my piano. I took a tiny brush and got in between the keys, I cleaned the wood and iron and everything. I known acoustically this isn't possible, but my piano sounds better.

I try to keep my obligations down to zero. I have a dentist appointment today, for example, and no other appointments for two weeks.

Friend visits are different; I have those lined up. Laughter is important.

Food is important as well, so I have fresh groceries and plenty of snacks. We are expecting snow in Michigan, and I don't want to run out into the elements because I am out of sugar.

Sidenote: You wouldn't think it, but aromas are important as well, especially during the winter.

Think about it—if you make a fresh lemonade, the citrus gets you in the springtime muscles. If you bake garlic, ummmm. Fresh bread…right?

So I make sure to have aromatics on hand.

Clothing is warm and lovely. I need to feel warm and comfortable but also cute if someone drops by.

I don't subscribe to the “keep the thermostat at X°F/°C”. If it's cold, I turn up the heat. If it is not, I turn it down.

It's the holidays, so I know my role. Music.

In the background, music is playing. I pick the music for The Dinner.

A lot of musicians I know do not have music playing in their homes or cars, and I am not that person. I want new music, old music, music my friends wrote, music I wrote.

Music.

Finally, I am committed to letting my nervous system recover. Lots of long walks. Lots of staring out the window. Lots of doing nothing.

This is my way. What's yours?