JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: February may be the shortest month, but it’s absolutely packed for the Jungle Reds. Last week, Hank’s new thriller, ONE WRONG WORD, came out. Tomorrow, the 14th book in Jenn’s Library Lovers series, FATAL FIRST EDITION, is released, and on Wednesday, the paperback of Deb’s latest Duncan Kincaid/ Gemma James novel, A KILLING OF INNOCENTS, will be published. But wait - there’s more! On February 27 you can get the paperback of ALL THAT IS HIDDEN, Rhys and Clare Broyles last Molly Murphy mystery, and just two weeks after that their new hardcover, IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHADOW, drops. Whew!
And if that’s not enough, we’re topping the week off this Saturday with the second livestream at Reds and Readers. (We decided on the easy-to-remember 7-7-17, or to lay it out, 7 writers at 7pmET on the 17th of the month.)
This is all to say I’ve been thinking about packing a lot in in a short period of time. Now, I’m an absolute disaster at multitasking - instead of juggling, I wind up with shattered glassware on the floor. But I’m very good at squeezing in a short job while waiting for something else. In the two minutes it takes to reheat my mug of tea in the microwave, I can shovel out the cat pan. I have six minutes when I’m boiling water in my electric kettle (yes, lots of my waiting is tea-related!) and in that time I can pull on my rubber gloves and wash the pots and wine glasses.
It takes the dogs around ten minutes in the door yard to sniff around and find just the right place to relieve themselves; while I watch them from the porch, I delete old emails from my phone. And I have twenty minutes while my Friday night frozen pizza bakes (you can see, I’m being brutally honest here!) and in that time I can sweep the kitchen and the front hall, which, this time of year, is constantly littered with bits of bark and wood chaff from hauling in fuel for the wood stove.
I read - somewhere - that fitting chores/exercise/maintenance in between the bigger, more sustained efforts of the day is The Latest Thing. I do worry that it’s part of the “grindset” culture; you know, all the advice that wants you working and productive from morn til midnight. (Several of the Reds fall into this category naturally, but let’s face it, not everyone does.)
On the other hand, it’s nice to get to the end of the day with the glasses sparking, the kitty litter fresh, and the floor clean - while never feeling like I actually did housework. How about you, Reds? What do you fit in to the shortest parts of your day?
JENN McKINLAY: Oh, this is so great. There is a fine line between grindset and efficiency and I know I tend to cross the line into the grind more often than not. I’m working on it! Little things I do to make the most of the spare minutes are throw a load of wash in the washer or dryer while the dogs do their thing, have a daily chat with my mom while walking those same dogs (yes, they’re spoiled), delete duplicate/bad photos from my phone while waiting in line (pharmacy, DMV, what have you), clean the interior of the shower while I’m actually showering, and I do the dishes while waiting for my evening decaf coffee to brew.
I do try to meditate, clear my mind, every morning for at least twenty minutes. I sit perfectly still and just try to make my mind blank/quiet. It gives me a calm start to my day and I don’t feel so overwhelmed by all of the have to’s.
RHYS BOWEN: I have inherited multi-tasking genes. My mother could never watch TV without knitting, having the crossword book in front of her and probably a half-read book as well. I start my day (after emails, Facebook and Wordle) in the kitchen by switching on the electric kettle. While it boils I unload the dishwasher, clean off the counters, put tea in the teapot.
During the Covid lockdown when there was no sport to watch I gave myself a mini Olympics. Could I run to the bathroom, pee, and return while a cup of tea was heating in the microwave. Yeah. She did it. World record. Also timed myself on unloading the silverware and putting away correctly. I routinely tie my shoes when I’m sitting on the loo prior to going out.
But my best multi tasking is when I’m driving and I talk through the next scene I’m about to write. It’s so productive sitting alone in that little capsule and voicing the dialog out loud.
LUCY BURDETTE: OMG, I am such a slacker! I spend way too much downtime checking email and Facebook. The one good thing I’ve started to do is take my morning coffee from the Cuban Coffee Queen and combine it with a good walk for Lottie and me. That way she gets some exercise and so do I. John often listens to who knows what while he’s dog-walking, but I prefer to keep my brain unoccupied just in case a piece of a plot occurs to me.
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HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: this is my favorite thing! I try to make it like a personal Jenga, seeing what I can fit in and where. For instance. If I am going to ride the treadmill for an hour, I will start the pasta water on very low just so it starts heating up. Then I put in the laundry . I read on the treadmill, or dictate emails. Then when I come back downstairs, . I will chop the vegetables for the pasta, turn the water up higher and cover so it will boil, run down and put the laundry in the dryer, and take my shower. Then, by the time I get back upstairs, the pasta water is boiling. That I can put in the pasta and organize the rest of the dinner. Then, I can fold the newly dry laundry while Jonathan is cleaning up from dinner.
So efficient! It makes me so happy to do this! I have to say.
I have been known to brush my teeth, walking up and down the hall so I get more steps.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: We are so funny! Maybe we need to do a time-saving challenge show! I walk circles in my house when I talk on the phone. (Don’t like to talk or listen to stuff when walking the dog, that time is too good for plotting.) I heat water for tea and make toast while I”m unloading the dishwasher in the morning. I fill the birdfeeder while the dogs are doing their morning business. I delete photos and emails while waiting on things like appointments. When I quit work for the day, I throw a load of laundry in the washing machine (utility room is upstairs, as is office.) Then when I come back upstairs after dinner, I throw the load in the dryer, then fold it after my bath while listening to my audio book. I love this–is that silly? But I do have a midday routine, when I break from morning work. I clean the cat boxes, water house plants, tidy the living room, and give the hardwood floors a quick pick up with the battery Dyson. It gets me moving after sitting all morning.
HALLIE EPHRON: Like Debs, I walk circles when I’m on the phone. I’m also with Julia … multitasking often leads to spills and breakage. Worse still, a house littered with half-done tasks. I like to be efficient – does that count as multitasking?
But if I’m writing, I’m WRITING or developing materials for a writing workshop? 100%. When I need a break, I check email or answer a call or do research. But if I try to work on two projects at once I’m doomed and neither one gets properly nailed down and tucked in.
JULIA: How about you, dear readers? What do you manage to fit in in the two/five/ten minutes you have to spare?
Photo by Liliana Drew: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-washing-dishes-9462196/
Photos by Liliane Drew and Cottonebro Studios, from Pexels.comPhoto by Liliana Drew: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-washing-dishes-9462196/
That's a lot of releases in this six week window. Everyone is productive.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally, I'll slip something else in while I'm waiting like this. But most of the time, I get distracted by social media and I'm not as productive as I should have been.
Yeah, Jay, I didn't mention the times I'm, say, keeping an eye on the new fire in the woodstove and just scroll on my phone. My house would be a lot tidier if I could ignore social media!
DeleteI haven't been productive for quite a few months, and I know that you all know why. I've got so much to go through or find places to store things (I could use a room for that alone). My best friend who lives here where I do gave me a book that is supposed to help me help get myself unstuck some. She lost a son six years ago, so she can do something like this with me. It's just simple. You fill out appointments for the next day and five things you'd are going to try to get done, and something else. I've just used it once, but I'm going to try to start using it again. It might just help me get something done, anything would be nice. This week, however, may be a total loss because we have a court date and will be going to Lexington to spend the night. We have to testify why my son's killer shouldn't get a lower bail, and the prosecutors are going to show why the person can't claim self-defense. There will be tapes from the security cameras in the area. Yes, I'm going to watch. I have to know things. So, Wednesday is a travel day and Thursday the court day. I may not be around much this week.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kathy. Sending big hugs and much love. I can't even imagine.
DeleteOh, Kathy. How very hard. My heart goes with you. Take a little strength from all of us here, and think of us as if we are holding your hand through it all.
DeleteKathy, thinking of you and your family this week. Virtual hug.
DeleteKathy - such a brave thing you're doing, going to court to speak out. Sometimes I think just getting up and taking one step, and then another, is so brave after a devastating loss. My heart is with you. (And just uni-tasking can be a challenge)
DeleteWe'll be thinking of you and sending our love Kathy!
DeleteI’ll be thinking of you as you face the court date. Sending love and hugs.~Emily Dame
DeleteI join my friends in sending out love and hugs and courage to you and your husband. SUCH a hard thing.
DeleteOh, Kathy, that sounds so hard. But as a mother, I know you want to do one last thing to protect your son, and making sure justice is done may help you heal, too. As Judy said, our hearts go with you.
DeleteKathy, chores and tasks will still be there whenever you can muster the energy to do them. Make that list shorter! And God bless you and Philip as you walk this long road to justice and to healing.
DeleteI am sure that all the things that you are going through is difficult enough rather than adding to that advice to add five more things that you would like to accomplish. Kind tho the advice may be, for me it would be just adding more pressure. Thinking of you on these difficult days.
DeleteKathy, the above comment is from Anonymous Flora. Blogger, side eye to you!!
DeleteKathy, sending you love.
DeleteBig hugs, Kathy.
DeleteSo much love, dear friend. Xx
DeleteKathy, I always have you in a little corner of my heart. Thursday is likely to be so very difficult. I’m around when you need to scream. Much love
DeleteHugs and prayers, Kathy.
DeleteDebRo
We'll be thinking of you Kathy, and sending much love.
DeleteDarling Cathy, wrapping you in love this week
DeleteLast comment was Rhys. Googles not letting me in today
DeleteTo Kathy: I'm so sorry you are going through such a daunting difficulty. My thoughts are with you, and I hope you are sustained by love and comforting support all through.
DeleteI do the same sort of dishwasher-emptying [or loading] while waiting for the coffee to perk [or heat in the microwave] as has been mentioned, but mostly I am not particularly good at the whole multi-tasking thing . . . .
ReplyDeleteJoan, I don't think of it as multi tasking, though, because I don't have to think about two things at once. I can barely think about one thing at once!
DeleteI can't life anything over 10 lbs due to my back problems so I do things on my husband's schedule. I sort the laundry and he carries it to the laundry room. We have a king sized bed so it takes both of us to make it up. He has to do all the vacuuming and floor washing as I can't handle any of the back and forth motions. We unload the dishes or load while waiting for our coffee to brew. I mostly read and try to catch up on my emails and FB and Goodreads friends while watching tv. I'm not as busy as you all are and I miss the days from before the accident.
ReplyDeletePaula, that sounds frustrating, especially for someone who likes to keep busy. My mom had similar restrictions after a surgery, and she and dad, being somewhat obsessively organized, made a weekly and daily schedule so they could work together as a team. Of course, that was only for a few months. Hoping it will be a relatively short period of time for you, as well.
DeleteI clean counter, sweep floors, tidy a small area while water is boiling. I'll read and delete emails, sneak in a page or two of book reading, check mail box with spare minutes.
ReplyDeleteDru Ann, reading a book is the one thing I can't tackle in the in-between moments. I never want to put it down!
DeleteI'm horrible at multi-tasking. Like Julia, the mess of shattered glassware isn't worth the effort. Except, I do a lot of plotting while doing laundry.
ReplyDeleteIt makes your book so clean and fresh! :-D
DeleteI love these. I also walk indoors laps while my coffee is brewing or when I'm talking with a son or a sister on the phone or listening to one of my weekend radio shows or a podcast. More steps never hurt! I never listen to anything when I walk outside. I want to hear the birds and listen for plot ideas.
ReplyDeleteI listen to NPR news while I cook dinner. I think about the next scene I need to write as I lie in bed awake but not quite ready to sit up and get out. But when I start writing at seven every morning, I do my best to stay AWAY from the Internet. Single-tasking is the way the story comes out.
How smart to imagine the next scene just as you wake up...
DeleteEdith I'm training myself away from going to the news first thing in the morning. I just don't nee d the extra noise in my head when I'm trying to sit down and write.
DeleteMy only news in the morning is reading Heath Cox Richardson. And sometimes even that is too much, no matter how ell-informed and articulate she is!
DeleteI like that fine line between grind and efficiency -- that's the line to walk, in my view. I time my tea for four minutes and it takes about 8 minutes for my coffee to brew. While waiting in each instance, I see what tiny chore I can get done: empty the dish drainer, make the bed, get dressed, feed the cat. If I'm trying to figure out something in a writing project, I noodle my way through thoughts using an old fashioned pencil and cheap notebook. There's something about the time limit and the analog tools that gets the old brain going and those synapses fired up. Bonus: when the timer goes, my beverage is ready.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I agree with you 100% on analog noodling. I do all my plotting/ character design/ working out problems in an old composition notebook, using pen or pencil. The brain does work differently in analog and digital!
DeleteThis is one of my soapboxes, Amanda and Julia. Your brain just works differently. I am always jotting plot ideas, bit of dialogue, etc. on paper.
DeleteI pound the keyboard at the kitchen table and take a break every thirty minutes to walk a lap around the downstairs or change loads of laundry or tidy up the kitchen counter. I set up a mail sorting station in the garage with a box for shredding anything with our name and address on it and throw everything else in the recycling bin.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, your taking a break makes me think of one of the great things about my Fitbit - at ten minutes to the hour, it tells my how many steps I still need to take to reach the hour goal of 250. It gets me up and away from the chair like nothing else!
DeleteSo many great ideas...
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I'm writing everyone's time hacks down!
DeleteImpressed that anyone can multitask. I doubt that I can miltitask. I find that any task I do Requires my FULL attention. I am reminded of children's cartoons where the superhero can do many things at the same time. I also remember the Bionic Woman being able to multitask.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Diana, I'm the same way - which is why I can, say, wash a couple of glasses while waiting for my toast to pop up. I don't have to think about the toast while it's in the machine, and then I can forget the glasses while I slather jam on my toast!
DeleteThank you, Julia.
DeleteDebs posted yesterday about the Super Bowl, and no mention today? It was such a great and exciting game.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to all the new books coming out. I've missed the Library series by Jenn - so happy it's out.
Wasn't it? We ended up watching it, and even though I'm not much of a football fan, and we had no dog in the fight, I really got caught up in it.
DeleteI have to confess, I was looking up all the reels of Taylor Swift and her posse :-) I can't imagine wearing those kind of clothes to a football game, but then again, I've never been in a million-dollar suite in Las Vegas!
DeleteWe had a great time. My nachos were delicious, the cauliflower wings not so much. I'd try a different recipe next time. Love Usher in the half time show. And the 4th quarter/OT were nail-biting!!!! I haven't checked on the Swifties fashion yet!
DeleteI guess I am a total opposite, Julia. While my tea heats up, I like to a.) ponder the reasons for existing in this vast universe or 2.) mentally encourage the tea to heat faster. I am not good at multitasking. I have to have a carefully crafted list made in advance, and no changes, additions, or substitutes are permitted. I know. I know. Boring. Heck, even my spontaneity has to be scheduled.
ReplyDeleteBut Alexander always changes my pre-planned list these days.
DeleteOh, yeah, Michael. Notice I never wrote about fitting things in when I had kids at home. This is only available to empty nesters, because the only down time you get when your child is little is when you collapse on the sofa after his bedtime. :-D
DeleteIn the morning when I'm boiling water for tea, I put away clean dishes and get out my cereal and fruit and half and half. Of course this involves opening the fridge multiple times because I forgot something, and opening and closing the wrong cupboards because I'm not awake yet (this was my routine 2 minutes ago). I try to read a few emails here and there during the day on mini breaks because I'm generally behind. In the evenings during TV time, I use the commercials to do dishes, dust something or read a few pages.
ReplyDeleteLike Jenn, I meditate every morning for 20 minutes. It's amazing how busy my mind is. I try to gently let everything go.
Rhys's description of herself reminds me of my aunt in Leeds. She would sit on the settee watching TV with her knitting and a crossword, and somehow managed to smoke a cigarette at the same time.
My grandmother did exactly the same thing, Gillian! She had her favorite TV chair, with a small table to one side that held the ashtray and her one (1) evening glass of port. The TV GUIDE crossword rested over one arm and her knitting bag was at her feet. Amazing!
DeleteMaybe the Greatest Generation could multitask into their 80s because their brains hadn't been turned to mush by the internet.
My mother always had her sewing basket when she watched TV. Not sure now what exactly she was always mending, but apparently her hands needed to be busy. I will watch TV while cooking and doing dishes if it's something I'm not very interested in, but more often listen to audio books.
DeleteAudiobooks. My key to doing two things at once. I used to listen to music while gardening (which may or may not have resulted in dancing. I'm pretty sure our neighbors thought I was cracked), but during the pandemic I started listening to books, instead. Some days I'm out there for five or six hours, so that makes a significant dent in a book. Then I realized I can also listen while I vacuum, since the central vac's noise is mostly out in the garage. It's so much more pleasant to do that chore while also being entertained!
ReplyDeleteCooking is another multitasking area. I clean as I go, generally, so there is less to police after the meal. And I will often dust while talking on the phone, especially if it's my nephew on the other end. He talks, and I listen!
I'm a dust-while-on-the-phone person as well, Karen. It's not that I don't want to pay attention - I am! - but for some reason, unless I'm on a business call where I have to take notes, I can't stand to just sit and talk. If I don't dust or pick up items, I'll literally pace around the downstairs.
DeleteExactly, Julia. I sit enough when I'm writing, etc., and I want to be moving unless I'm glued to the keyboard.
DeleteGlad to know I'm in good company!
DeleteMy very dear, on-the-spectrum nephew is a stream of consciousness kind of phone caller, and the only way I can keep from being impatient is to do something productive. And since I hate to dust, that's a perfect way to refocus.
Well, you all would drive me crazy! I would probably drive you crazy, as well.
ReplyDeleteNope, not the Tasmanian Devil in this house. 7:45 - Get up, shower, come downstairs, check glucose, put on socks, put on shoes, put eggs on to boil, feed cats & dog, eat eggs, pour coffee, sit in front of computer and mellow until 10pm. It takes that long to decompress from getting up.
The day goes on – hopefully I have in that set-a-spell consuming coffee thought of something for lunch, and maybe supper. Start to make it, while loading the dishwasher. Have lunch – slowly.
Afternoon – yesterday I planted 3 pkgs of tomato seeds. In between, I answered the phone, patted the cat, made ice-cubes, talked to the annoying sister – same sick one who is trying to save the world before she goes for spinal on Tuesday. Sometimes I get stuck on the puzzle – that can take 2 hrs! At least I stand up to do it – isn’t that supposed to be good? Supper is quitting time – it has been a hard day. Tomorrow we will start again.
What it does mean is that when something else does intervene, it can be given my full attention, and I don’t feel guilty about not getting the housework done. I probably developed this from farming – there was always something else, and so you learned to accept, and adjust. Sick lamb - no problem, bring it into the kitchen. Kids need something at school – I’ll be there. Even now it is the phone call from the all adult kids to Mom – Scott fell and burst open his chin – does he need stiches?
Meanwhile, still no one has vacuumed, but the litter boxes are cleaned and we are warm and fed.
Margo, that sounds like an ideal life. I'm going to nag you again about writing a memoir - you paint a picture on the ordinary aspects of your world so beautifully!
DeleteThanks Julia, but I am sure no one would ever believe it. The good thing is that even though I complain many times about the Harrumper, he is half the cause of my adventures, and together we just muddle through them. It does tend to make life interesting. It also makes people wonder how did so many (strange) things happen to you in your life!
DeleteSun is out today. Delivered eggs this morning - so this afternoon, I can just enjoy the world. If any of you busy people would like to empty this mornings dishwasher, the opportunity is there. Another snowstorm for 2 days coming tomorrow - what will this one bring?
I've been watching as our forecast has gotten drier and drier here in southern Maine, Margo. It's gone from 6-10 inches to 50% chance of snow in less than 24 hours. I've done all the snow storm prep, though, so hopefully that will ward the weather gods off.
DeleteJulia, this is how I get things done. Chores can overwhelm me. If I tackle one while I'm waiting for something else to happen, then I feel more productive and can power through whatever needs doing. So yes, while dinner is in the oven, I have say 25-30 minutes to sweep or get a load of laundry from the basement, sort, fold, put away. Feed the animals, clean boxes. Unload dishwasher, reload. Then none of those chores are awaiting me after dinner. And blogger, cut it out!
ReplyDeleteThis is me to a T, Flora. Thinking, "Oh, I have to wash all the dishes," makes me run away, but knocking off two or three items in between doing important stuff doesn't feel like "doing chores" at all. It's a way to trick my brain.
DeleteClare: When my kids were young and the internet was just starting up there was a lady called the Fly Lady ( not sure why) who would send cleaning tips. Her number one tip was to clean your sink. The idea is that if you make one clean spot in the kitchen it is easier to tackle the rest of the mess but by bit. I still follow that advice and if I am overwhelmed by a task I will set a timer and say “Let’s just work on this for 5 minutes”.
ReplyDeleteI remember her, Anon! "Put on tie shoes" was one of her pieces of advice. I still use her directional technique for tidying a room - start in one spot and work your way around clockwise.
DeleteThe most I do are things like "unload the dishwasher while the kettle boils." When I'm at work, I have to be focused on that. When I'm writing, I'm focused on that. By the time 4pm rolls around, my brain is usually shot and all I'm good for is a little light reading or mindless tv.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, Liz, none of the little jobs I accomplish require brain work. They just keep my hands busy while I'm waiting to resume drinking hot tea and writing!
DeleteIf I were to do anything but wait while the kettle boils…there would be a a burned out bottom on the tea kettle. Elisabeth
DeleteHank, I am tired just reading your list! I am a multi-tasker, but not to that extent. I have dinner in the crockpot right at the moment, I keep an eye on the woodstove, take care of the cats, and write. When I need a writing break, I check out blogs and emails. Big chores - like spring cleaning - get days to themselves. Reds, my hat is off to you all.
ReplyDeleteHank is superhuman, Kait - all we mortals can do is look on in awe and hope a little bit of her magic rubs off!
DeleteOh, you are too funny :-) and thank you so much for the kind words about ONE WRONG WORD! The tour is fabulous, and apropos of this blog, I am dictating this comment into my phone from the backseat of an Uber on the way to a book event!
DeleteI think the key is to understand which tasks lend themselves to multitasking, and which ones don’t. To decide what makes your life efficient, that’s the key. So if I am writing. All I am doing is writing. I’m a very focused single tasker.
ReplyDeleteIf I am doing round the house chores, it makes me happy to be able to get a lot done at the same time by overlapping a bit.
So I change my task metabolism depending on what it is I need to get done. So far, no shattered crockery or half finished tasks scattered about the house. :-) . I’m in control of it, as much as we can be in control of anything in our lives..
Multi-tasking requires that at least one of the tasks is mindless, and easy to manage while doing other stuff.
DeleteHank, I love the term "task metabolism" and am going to try to use it in the future!
DeleteI never leave a room without checking to see what needs to go with me, be it a book to put back, something to go in the recycle, a cup for the dishwasher, a piece of clothing to go down the laundry chute. A lot of things get done this way without even thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteYou might conclude that I’m a neatnik.
You would be wrong!
Ann, this was a lesson I tried to impart to my husband and children without success. I've always done it, and now I live alone it plays a huge part in keeping thing reasonably tidy.
DeleteI’ve actually been trying to do this for a very long time now. Unfortunately, I don’t do it regularly. I’m pretty good at making my breakfast while my coffee is brewing. Sometimes, instead, I walk through my tiny condo to start getting my steps in for the day while the coffee brews. The truth is that I would rather be reading while I wait for whatever to be done.
ReplyDeleteOh, me too, Deb. I actually had to stop reading while I was eating my lunch, because "lunch" was stretching out to an hour and a half! :-)
DeleteI also do little chores while water is boiling or a loaf of bread is defrosting in the microwave, but at the same time, I'm always listening to an audiobook! And if there's laundry to fold, I try to do it while I'm talking on the phone, which occasionally causes me to drop the phone.
ReplyDeleteKim, I "read" audiobooks in the car, but when puttering around the house, I LOVE my podcasts. I know when I rave about them to my kids, I sound just like my grandmother did when she'd tell me about "her stories," aka soap operas, that she'd watch while washing dishes, ironing, etc.
DeleteJulia, Recently, I was at a tea shop called Paru and they have an electric tea kettle that heats up the water instantly. I was going to buy it but it was $100. +- and I think you can buy similar ones online or at Target for much less.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I have a Kitchenaid 1.5L kettle, which retails for around the same amount. But before that, I tried out the concept with a much cheaper kettle - around $25. Unless you're convinced it's the right thing for you, I'd go with a less expensive model. If it breaks eventually, you can figure out then if you want to upgrade!
DeleteI feed the cats while my electric kettle comes to a boil. While the tea steeps, I take my daily meds and assemble breakfast. If I'm heating something in the microwave, I'll load or unload the dishwasher or clean the counter.
ReplyDeletePlumGaga, I found putting my morning meds on the tea tray (holds the teapot, sugar, etc.) was the only way I was reliably remembering to take them!
DeleteYes, I too fill in time with minor chores or deleting old photos. However, I could be in motion more. I spend too much time in what used to be known as "a brown study," aka adrift in my head.
ReplyDelete