It’s been a long time since I’ve done nothing. Every day, there is a compelling item on my calendar — either dance classes or backpacking practice — but ever since I popped something in my thigh on Friday, I haven’t done anything. Well, nothing physical, that is. I’ve been taking it easy, reading and writing. Mostly writing.
I still don’t know what happened to my thigh. The tiny pop I felt/heard was definitely some sort of tear, but it doesn’t seem to have caused major damage. There is no bruise, no pain, no limitation of movement except for the limitations I’ve put on myself. I was concerned about exacerbating the tear, but with no real effects from the pop, I don’t suppose it’s necessary to continue resting. Too bad. I’ve really enjoyed these two days of doing not much.
If all continues to be well, I will go to my dance classes this week and hope that by Friday, I will be able to practice backpacking again without ill effects. Unfortunately, I will probably have to reduce the weight in the pack, so that will set me further back in the conditioning process than I want to be, but better such a setback than shouldering the same poundage and destroying my thigh permanently.
Even if I couldn’t go hiking today, I can do it vicariously through my poor benighted (and gaily bedighted) hero since, oddly, he is setting out on a journey across the desert. (Well, not so oddly considering who the author of this journey is!) Luckily, when I go out to the desert for real, I get to wear clothes that cover almost all exposed skin. My poor hero is clad only in that silly pink and lime green polka-dotted loincloth.
Maybe I’ll write an oasis to give him a break from the relentless sun.
But first . . . more of doing “not much.”
I hope you are having as enjoyable day as I am, and with as little to do.
***
Pat Bertram is the author of the suspense novels Unfinished, Madame ZeeZee’s Nightmare, Light Bringer, More Deaths Than One, A Spark of Heavenly Fire, and Daughter Am I. Bertram is also the author of Grief: The Great Yearning, “an exquisite book, wrenching to read, and at the same time full of profound truths.” Connect with Pat on Google+. Like Pat on Facebook.
March 12, 2018 at 8:10 am
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/16215705aa87575e This is a link to an edition of Brain Pickings, an awesome literary blog. It has an article entitled “Zadie Smith’s dance lessons for writers” that you might like. I haven’t yet read it.
March 12, 2018 at 5:51 pm
Thanks. She had some interesting ideas.
March 12, 2018 at 2:29 pm
The fact that you’re writing, to me anyway, is the exact opposite of nothing. After all, you’re bringing a world to life with your fingertips. That’s something special.
March 12, 2018 at 5:50 pm
You’re right — it is special. It just seems silly sometimes. At least doing something physical makes me feel as if I am improving my life, but who knows, maybe creating worlds that never will be is as important.
March 12, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Hey, our worlds are the result of our thoughts. Thoughts are electrical signals, and electricity has weight and mass. Therefore, our creations do exist in a physical form at some level in the minds of our readers.
March 12, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Glad to know the “pop” wasn’t serious. I felt a similar one in my arm last month and am still waiting for the other, ‘er, shoe to drop. Art Linkletter was right — getting old is not for the faint of heart. Be well. – Marty
March 12, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Me, too, waiting for the other “shoe” to drop. Let’s hope that for both of us, the tear was minor.