RHYS BOWEN: Like many of my friends I am stressed at the moment. Not just what is happening to our country and the world, but also reasons closer to home. John's health is up and down. We never know when there might be another trip to the ER. He feels quite dizzy at times, which means he pours himself a glass of milk in the middle of the night then knocks it over. I hear the crash/tinkle of broken glass at two in the morning. Not conducive to a good nitght's sleep. Then last week, as I started on our taxes, I got the edits for the next Molly book. Can you return them by....Clare was also working on taxes so neither of us had much time. Luckily they were slight but also required going through the ms carefully. And the day after that I got the edits for the next Royal Spyness book. And the day after that a request from the Edgars to answer interview questions.
Now you understand why I have been a teeny-weeny bit stressed. I'm trying to take some time out every day to wind down. I've been doing some water color painting, which I find great for relaxing as when you are doing it you can't think about anything else. Here are some of my recent efforts.
And I sent off for a steel tongue drum. It's a lovely little round thing with a delightful sound. I've played Frere Jaques and Twinkle Twinkle, and Happy Birthday. I may progress to the Carnival of the Animals (which my son played with Yo Yo Ma's children's orchestra when he was 12). He played it on the xylophone.
I've been trying to meet friends for lunch or happy hour (just had a lovely time with Jenn and with Barbara Peters) Oh rats. I meant to take a selfie with Jenn.
And lastly I've been trying to get out into nature. Arizona is bursting with spring flowers. The palo verde trees are a froth of yellow. Out in the dessert there are various wildflowers and the giant suguaro cactus have buds on them, ready to bloom. Just sitting and looking is very therapeutic.
So what have any of you been doing to stay calm and focused? Suggestions please.
