So, the first thing I do after the clocks go back is to change to my autumn schedule. i.e. put appointments where possible to the morning, Ignore whatever jobs you planned to do if you have a lovely autumn morning and go out and enjoy it. whether it is wrapping up warm wearing sensible boots with gloves hat etc and make the most of any parks and gardens whilst they are worth looking at . Scuff through the leaves which I think is a great thing to enjoy and you dont need to stop just because you are over 21! I love the countryside and the coast and again there is a lot of pleasure in going to the coast when the winds are wild and the sea waves large. Not to behave in a stupid dangerous way as we saw that idiot going on a pier with his daughter who nearly washed away. So I take my own coffee etc cafetiere china mug etc etc and enjoy sitting in the car watching the waves , looking through my binoculars at the sea and several rather crazy/brave people surfing on the north east coast!1 Then if you are a member of either RHS or Nat Trust there are parks etc that are worth going to visit. Meet up with friends , share the cost, I can take someone in free with my rhs card, so obviously attempt to find the best days weather forecast but I am from yorkshire and am not so "nesh" that I give up just for some rain or whatever. When we have done a bit of a walk or whatever , back to car and coffee and radio 3 or 4. Sounds simple but making the most of both daylight and friends is worth while. Having done that you then will have jobs and stuff you need to catch up on. I save up my ironing and when it is a horrible cold afternoon, then out comes the board and chair etc and the ironing gets done, keeps me warm doing it and at the end have a good choice of things to wear. I have a very bad back and that makes problems as often I am not able to move quickly which in turn can mean I get very cold and have difficulty getting warm. So I have a years ticket at the swimming pool, go usually 2 times a week but sometimes more. It lets me exercise in a less painful manner, is warm and clean and I finish up feeling better mentally and physically. Right now I am waking about 4,30 which is maddening. If i cant go back to sleep I go to the early swimming at 7am, Much more cheering than sitting here in pain and looking at the dark and miserable weather. If I have a really bad day I CHOOSE to have a day in bed or a day off at least where I do nothing but the basic needs and have a couple of blankets to wrap round me and have a long puffa jacket thing without sleeves but with a hood, bought for a £5 in a charity shop. Have the most ancient falling to pieces old cashmere jumper which is not fit to be seen out but fine to put that on and cover with the puffa jacket, so read, listen to the radio catch up on bits and pieces. After a day "off" I am then quite eager to get going the next day. Dont look ahead too much just see what you can enjoy this week. Plant up some hyacinths - not for christmas but to come out in january and february when flowers cost a lot and it is much more cheering to have them at that time. I also have some scented leaf geraniums, which as the name suggests has little or no flowers but oh press the leaves and you can have lovely scents such as lemon verbena, mint, lemon balk all sorts. Take cuttings of them and then keep one or two pots in every room in your home. a simple squeezing a leaf gives you such cheering perfume. When you are shopping , watch out for things that you see as a treat, so for me when there was some duck legs in the reduced box I bought three, and two of them I have frozen and on a day that just seems rubbish one will come out and I shall make myself a very special meal and have a glass of wine and feel that it has been a treat. I am not a pollyana but do think that housework and jobs that are not the very basic cleaning yourself and your clothes etc can all wait and we need to enjoy whatever there is to enjoy. Be kind to yourself and if you really dont want to go out DONT!! You dont need other peoples permission to live life as you want to . In my view if you do no harm to other people or cause them problems you are entitled to live your life your own way. I am 78 and whatever the day is like, even if I am in a lot of pain I do think it is better than the alternative and carry on breathing!!
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Last letters become first - March 26
