Planning Or Scheduling Daily Life

I was wondering the past few days, if other people when retired, disabled or at home for some reason, do they follow a daily routine? A structured plan for their day? Things they have to do every day on a schedule like you do at a job? I have always kept a journal and maybe don't write in it every single day, but try to write at least something every week in it. I am also a list maker. Lists surround me! I might not do every single thing on my list. But I have an idea of things I need to do. It is rare that I can check off more than 2 or 3 items on the list. One of the perks of living alone (well, except for Rabbit, but he has his own list) is that if I don't do one single chore all day, nobody is going to care. Rabbit doesn't care as long as I remember to feed him....but of course, that is not on my list!

Birds follow their own schedule!

Some people might think if you don't follow a structured plan for every day, that means that day was a wasted one. Are they? Living close to a world of wild life for almost 20 years made me see close up the structured plan the critters have. Yes, especially the birds! In spring, they are very busy. Building nests and filling their bellies with all the nutrition they need for their upcoming family life. From the first note sung at 5:00 AM to the last one at dusk, they are busy following their plan. Sometimes they fight with each other, but they still get their work done.

My computer

For me personally, not having each day planned out is what I like to do. No need to live like you are in basic training. I understand if you live with others or a family you might need to do that. At this time in my life though, I do not have to. I can do what I want, when I want. I still manage to keep my apartment clean, my laundry washed, my meals cooked and Rabbit cared for. I am not one to watch television all day. Now I'd say my vice is the computer, where I like to spend the majority of my time. I am alone a lot, even though I live in an apartment building full of people. It does not bother me or depress me being alone. I always have things to do. My son is the same way. He has turned into an introvert also.

Rabbit

I keep a constant running list. Keep adding to it as I need to. It is a great feeling when I can cross one or more off. The most important thing for me is to not be rushed to finish something. Some people need to do something or have a schedule to do certain things. If you are one of those people, then make your schedule so it is automatic. Do things at a certain time every day. Soon it will be a habit. What is so nice about my life is that I have made it my own. My own schedules, my own routines.........yes, it is all about me and Rabbit. I believe it is about time after a whole life of putting others first.

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021

Winter Time 2020

Winter in NY

Winter time finds so many people complaining about the cold weather and snow. When I moved to my apartment in May of 2018, I swore to myself that I would never do that. I have always loved the beauty of the snow before it is cleaned up. Before the plows or snowblowers push it into piles. At my house I used to take pictures of it from my door or deck. I was in awe of its beauty. It seemed that no one but me ever appreciated it. Southerners who have never traveled to a snowy climate in the winter have never experienced it. I imagine they would not like it for long. Maybe they couldn't take the temperatures.

The view from my apartment windows

Now I live downtown in the small city of Norwich, NY. The population in 2017 was 6,718. So no walking in the forest after an early morning snowfall. Though to be completely honest, I hadn't been able to do that in the last couple of years before I moved. I was having serious mobility issues and walking was difficult. It is still hard, but I manage. I don't have a lot of work to do. Simple housecleaning tasks can be difficult, but I am not in a rush to finish by a certain time. I do what I can and then sit down. I am able to put my legs up for an hour or so during the afternoon. That helps.

Sonny's snow covered deck

My boyfriend lives in the country so going to his house gives me that shot of country life. I am not out walking around in the snow there either. I am careful of falling, so I don't take any unnecessary chances. We took a ride out in the forest to cut blackberry brambles for Rabbit. He needs to chew on sticks and he really enjoys the ones I get from the woods. I need to get more now. That ride was very enjoyable to me, as it was along my old road. That is another thing I miss, going outside to pick stuff for Rabbit. He had a more varied diet back then. Even in the middle of winter, I was able to pick grass and dandelions that grew in the barn. I was able to dig down under the snow and find kale that got left in the garden beds in fall. Now I mostly buy his food from the store.

On our way to pick brambles for Rabbit!

The change from wood heat to electric heat didn't really affect me much. This old school building I live in is very well insulated and my electric bill for the year is less than $500.00. I keep my heat down because I am always hot. Nothing to do with the electric bill. Has my power ever been out? Not since I have lived here. I asked my neighbor across the hall since she has lived here for years and she could not remember it being out. I have some 115 hour liquid candles I bought from Emergency Essentials, just in case. I am planning on getting some of those light bulbs that will stay lit even if the power goes out. I have heard good things about those. I still love the smell of wood smoke in the air. But I do not miss the work and dust from it. The worry of a chimney fire or from the wood stove in general. One time the insulation in the wall near the wood stove in my house fell down on the wood stove. If it hadn't been caught in time, we'd have gone up in smoke for sure, because I think I was sleeping.

Norwich, NY

I am looking forward to spring, but not because I hate winter. In spring after they clean the sidewalks and roads up, I will be driving around on "Jazzy" my mobility chair. I had so much fun on it last year. I can't wait to get back out on it again. I have some new places to explore and new activities to try!

Copyright © 2020 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2020  Kathleen G. Lupole

Updated 2021