Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey

With a bushel or two of apples staring at me, cans of pears needing homes, a long list of must do’s and job hunting you wouldn’t think there are quiet moments, yet often when you have the most to do, you need the quiet time all the more…

So what am I doing to steal such moments:

Reading

• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
• Dangerous or Safe by Cara Natterson (non-fiction)
• Magazines available from the library!
• Book of Romans

Listening To

• Ella Fitzgerald
• Bach’s Cello Suite Number 1 - Yo Yo Ma
• Sweet Disposition The Temper Trap

Watching (via the computer)

• The Jane Austen Book Club
• The Kite Runner

Catching My Breath

• Taking long walks with the blustery wind at my back, admiring the old homes, wondering what the spring will bring, praying for the world to be at peace, for starvation and famine to be a distant memory, for good to reign always!
• Taking photographs of trees, water, leaves, rays of light, moments when I feel invisible, moments when I feel vulnerable, moments when I feel pure joy…
• Sipping hot chocolate
• Feeling the gentle click of my knitting needles!

Remembering

• Grace
• Dignity
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Joy
• That nothing comes easy, which is probably a good thing!