Sweating the Wardrobe
06/17/2004 12:27 p.m.
Last evening, after a long hot walk home from my doctor visit, (fortunately the heat doesn’t bother me nearly as much as it used to, another good side effect from radiation years ago, for some reason) I felt a spurt of energy after supper. And wanted to, as I’d enjoyed some carrot cake for a treat. Not that I’m paranoid of calories or gaining weight, but don’t like to sit much after such a treat. And no, I won’t become anorexic or anything, because I’ve seen too closely the ravages of that enough to know it’s a terrible disease. I'm about what I want to weigh now, and just maintain. At the most another four or five pounds, but maybe not even that, could go. Then that's it! The trick is to just check now and again it doesn't creep up a lot. And to do yoga regularly and walk or bike (someday swim again).

But preparing my clothes for my Manitoba trip later this summer, I started re-organizing my closet and then trying on clothes I hadn’t in a long while. That mood strikes me sometimes and I enjoy it, now that I have been as what my uncle in England used to call “slimming” (carefully, and slowly - for keeping my health more than anything).

So here I was even trying on my blue velvet dressy number I bought for New Years Parties that didn’t quite happen, or very fine occasions. As well as sampling several other outfits. Then I’d run downstairs to the main floor to see how they looked in my favorite mirror, then back up and change again. I even found the Victoria Secrets cream-coloured shift-slip, bought years ago and never worn. But I can't part with it. It's my only V.S. item. By the time my fun had ended and I’d lined up the clothes on the rods in order, that I'd choose from for (not wanting to take too much) out west, and a few parties there, and the flight etc., I descended the staircase yet again (I live on that staircase we put in years ago when we switched from a bungalow to a renovation that added the second storey)to downstairs and plunked on the couch, saying to my husband, boy it is warm even with the air conditioning on. I wiped some sweat from my face and then groaned, when he said, but it’s not, it was sposed to be cool this morning, so we haven’t had it on.

I hadn’t even noticed until then. The windows were all closed, as if he had it on. Often he sets it up before he leaves for work. He kind of spoils me in that way, shutting all the windows and getting the house starting to cool, and he also makes the coffee before leaving for work most mornings (doesn't have one himself til he gets to work) so when I come down, or Val gets up much later, it’s ready. Can’t knock that, can you?
Silly me, I guess I had the doctor’s appointment and the trip on my mind and my novel work etc. so much I hadn’t paid enough attention.

I laughed at myself, and Mare and I did later at night on the phone, as I told her that without realizing the air wasn’t on, I’d been trying on blue velvet and all these wardrobe choices, (changing and trying on things can be exhausting I usually find) and running up and down our long two flights of stairs, to check them out. Then working in the closet, and thinking I’m a little warm from this, but it never occurred to me the air cooling wasn’t even on. Years ago, I’d never have kept that up in those conditions! I suppose I just figured with the hot flashes I get sometimes, I was getting into another one of those when I sat on the couch.

Which reminds me, where is my bathing suit? I must bring that! I love packing, thinking I’m going away, an upcoming change of scenery and experience...as I don’t get away nearly enough these days. But that should change soon, as my husband will be home a lot more probably in the near future (a year or so) and we hope to travel. If it weren’t for that and all the costs and vet visits,

involved, I’d be very tempted to find a new dog. Meanwhile, Penny Lane has really adopted us with Valerie away for four days, and always at night Penny Lane visits my yoga mat anyway, and seems to know exactly when it’ll hit the floor in my room, and she’s flying up the stairs to land plunk in the middle of it. I can work around her fine for most postures, but not the shoulder stand and the plough and bow. Sometimes I wait for those, knowing she’ll leave it when I get off, and then I go back to them.

It’s uncanny how she clocks me and from anywhere in this large house, like radar knows even if I do it later or earlier one evening. She’s right there!

Cats and yoga seem to curl up together somehow. I do admit I like to observe her when I stretch, sometimes, as she is a natural yogini. Like a dog can be, but even moreso. She languishes in her cleaning of self and it stretching her paws foreward and seems to meditate with those light emerald eyes staring, mesmerizing....

Well, on to the new day. Shorts and a t-shirt are enough for now, but mmm....what will I find to wear for the reading tonight???? It’s ok, the air conditioning’s definitely on. And my hubby made the coffee...I’m so spoiled! I wonder, when he’s home in the days more, how we’ll get on together??? We’ll have to make him an office, too, for his consulting work, but there is plenty of room. I just hope the phones doesn’t go too crazy. I have a real pet peeve that camping used to give me relief from, that's phones ringing steadily. I love to talk and listen, just don't like the ringing... I suppose people bring cell phones camping now...groan...and on canoes? I sure hope not. Sorry, I digress... But first, before those major changes and adjustments, we have a lot of planning to do, gathering for the happy son and future daughter-in-law, a garden to tend, and my novel pursuit. (And a surgery). New Year’s (I swear I’m wearing my blue velvet for the next one)Then the wedding next spring...when that's done, somehow we are aiming for Italy and maybe B.C. but I may have to win the lottery or have a bestseller really do well first. Lots to look forward to (not counting September's hand surgery).
I am currently Calm
I am listening to the Seeker's old Coke commercial song