Shakshuka and salvia

My experience blogging has, over the last few weeks, demonstrated the wisdom of Gretchen Rubin's advice: Do something every day.

That is, it's easier to do something every day than to do it now and then.

You'd have to read her entire post to get the gist of this, but I can just say that it's easier to post something every day on a blog than to post now and then - counterintuitive as that sounds.

When you post now and then, it seems like a big deal, and it becomes more difficult each day that you delay.

When you are in the mindset of "I post something every day," it's no big deal. Same thing with exercise. When I went to the gym every morning before work, it was no big deal. Once I got out of that habit, going to the gym was a big, big deal - and something I began to find excuses to avoid.

Sigh.

So, trying to get back into the rhythm of posting, I'll start with this weekend. Relaxing and productive.

First, I stretched. As I mentioned earlier, I have had an irritating but fairly mild case of sciatica over that last few weeks. Not so bad that I missed work, but bad enough to make me lose sleep. And limp a little.

It turns out that other people at work have been having the same problem. Three advised stretching. (One person gets traction at rehab, which is a kind of stretching.) So I tried this. I think it helped. But I want to emphasize that I am not advising anyone else to do this - this is NOT medical advice!!!!

So, most important, I feel better physically. I have great sympathy for people who are in physical pain, because I am a wimp about pain, and have so far been very fortunate in this regard. I do not take this for granted.

Next - Mr. Bean continues to be a blessing. OK, he looks a little suspicious in the photo below, but so does my son Tim, who is holding the Beanster.

Second, I made a pot of chicken soup today, which will become tomorrow's dinner. Made shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce) for dinner tonight.

Planted a flat of salvia in the front garden tonight, plus chives, rosemary, and Italian parsley. We'll see how this goes.

Bought three flats of impatiens, but I don't think I will get around to planting them till next weekend.

Graded as much as I could for my online class - have to submit midterm grades before tomorrow at midnight. Can't tell you how much I admire some of my students, who are working very hard to improve their lives.

And so it goes. Do something every day.