A somewhat wry smile? Photo of a wall in Venice by Heather.
After a few days here we developed a routine which suits us both.
I set my alarm for 7.30. No rush to get up but I open the shutters and look at the mimosa tree. To me it's important to look at something beautiful first thing each day. A flower or a card on the bedside table, or a view. or a mimosa tree.
I do my Wim Hof breathing exercises next and wash my hair in cold water (both the breathing and the cold therapy are said to strengthen your immune system which in the circumstances can only be good!) and we breakfast around 9, sometimes listening to Italian lessons while we prepare, eat or clear up. It's warm enough to have the windows and/or balcony door open most of the time. 18C is forecast for Thursday!
Then we will work for a bit - two to three hours, or as much as five if its going well, with a stop for coffee on the balcony about 11.30. We are both very glad this is a working holiday and that we have work we love to do. If we were here only for the tourist attractions we'd be feeling very frustrated! We are the lucky ones who can consider this episode as a retreat.
Lunch between 1 and 2 then depending a bit on the weather, which has been mostly sunny, a walk, shopping, exploring, time alone - before the tighter restricitons, whatever we fancied A bit of sunbathing on the balcony, or a nap, is going down very well. Galleries and concerts and vaporetto rides were part of the original plan but that was BC. Before Coronavirus. (I stole that from Steven Vardi at Venezia blog.)
We plan and shop for meals then Heather cooks and I clear up. Heather loves to cook - lucky me! - and we enjoy Italian wine with a leisurely dinner, sometimes listening to music. Quite often we are pretty tired by then.
We discuss ways of managing the situation - giving each other space, getting exercise. Pilates for me, I've set up a little exercise space in the bedroom, but Heather is missing her 8 - 10,000 steps!
I'm sleeping well.
The Chinese symbol for crisis also includes the word for opportunity I'm told. Can you find opportunities in your own situation, where you are?
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