JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’ve been deliberately turning away from the firehose of news gushing from my radio, computer and phone these days.
Instead, I’ve been practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and just trying to open my eyes and actually notice the world around me, instead of obsessively doom-scrolling to see the next unbelievable twist the writers have for 2020: The Series.
Anyhow, it’s been easier because recently, I’ve started walking the Maine Millennial’s dog. If you follow her online or read her column, you’ll know the poor thing was struck down with shingles, roughly four decades before most unvaccinated people get it. (Another recent victim; our own Jenn, who fought off a bout last year.) Shingles, which is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, can be brought on by stress. Stress? Who could possibly be stressed these days?
Shingles hurts a lot, and since I couldn’t do the first thing I wanted to help, which was to be like the Empath in that Star Trek episode and take her pain into my own body, I’ve been helping out by walking the 
dog. Janey is four years old and full of energy, and she tends to have a startling amount of pull when she lunges after a squirrel, so her two long walks, morning and evening, require a certain level of exertion The Maine Millennial just isn’t up for right now.
Here’s the thing: I started doing it because I had to if I wanted to help my daughter. I have not been yearning for a dog of my own to walk. My last pup, Louie the semi-toothless Shih Tzu, passed away over two years ago, and despite the fact I’m a pretty passionate dog lover, I’ve 
been reveling in the freedom to say yes to spontaneous invitations without worrying who would let the dog out (in the Before Times, of course) and in the joy of snuggling into my pillow for an extra half hour of sleep instead of having to get up and out because some species never learned to use a toilet. (I think it may have something to do with not having opposable thumbs.)
But I’m finding I actually enjoy the task I backed into. I like the fact I’m getting a brisk walk a couple times a day - something I kept saying I was going to do for myself, but never did. I like getting to see the beautiful sights in my neighborhood - the Saco River, graceful old houses decorated for fall, the fruits and flowers of autumn. I like hiking on the trails through our local park, immersed in nature (and it’s exactly the sort of thing that’s great for my Achilles tendinitis.)
Reds: Have you ever had a job or a task you dreaded, only to unexpectedly enjoy?
LUCY BURDETTE: I’m having a hard time coming up with tasks I dread, except for scooping the kitty litter. It would be a stretch to say that it can become a zen task to get every granule clean:). So I won’t.
However we are on the same path with doggie responsibilities, except mine is a puppy and I asked for it! It was good not to have to worry about taking an animal out early and late and many times in between, but actually both times of day are gorgeous (if it’s not raining.) The moon has been beautiful and the sky clear and many planets in plain view. And although puppy training is HARD, it’s also very gratifying. And she’s such fun to watch!
RHYS BOWEN: Julia, I can tell you tasks that I didn’t want to do and still don’t enjoy. One is house cleaning, since I can’t invite my cleaning lady back at this moment. Another is cooking. I’m so bored with my own food and never eating out. We’ve done take out but it loses appeal if it’s half cold by the time we get it home.
One task I did enjoy: son and daughter were coming for socially distanced outdoor dinner. I dug out an old table and chairs— probably from the 1980s and had to scrub off years of grime. I was sweating and panting by the end but it was surprisingly satisfying.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I cleaned out my top two dresser drawers. Mainly because I realized I had no idea what was in them, and even though daunting, it was easier than writing. It was amazing. I tossed a billion little scraps or notes and receipts and things I don’t know what were or couldn’t even read. I found a disposable camera full of undeveloped photos, which, I figure, is a terrific clue for a mystery, right? I found a wonderful note from my Mom (note circa 1999), five or six unexpired Barnes & Noble gift cards, a bracelet I thought was long gone, about 7 charging cords (to what, I have no idea), two nice camisole tops still in their plastic wrappers, PEZ in a MIcky Mouse dispenser, and a 100 dollar bill. Pretty nice!
HALLIE EPHRON: Drawer straightening is surprisingly pleasant for me, too, though I’ve never found anything particularly valuable among my underpants. But there’s something so satisfying, going from disorder to order and ending up with a pile of stuff whose use-by date as expired or that you really don’t need any longer. Straightening my office is like that, too. And washing curtains -- the satisfying part is hanging them back up and standing back and admiring how fresh they look. I’ve been surprised by how little I miss eating out.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Well, I won't say I've ever dreaded walking the dogs. But, there are days when I'd rather not, especially in the height of summer. Now, however, our older dog has developed severe arthritis, so I have to walk them every day, and I am always glad when I do.
And, like Rhys, we are doing without our housekeeper for the duration, and as much as I dread those things like scrubbing the tub and mopping the floors, I always feel very satisfied with myself once those tasks are done.
JULIA: There you have it. Proof that my mother was right when she told me to do the hardest thing first. How about you, dear readers? Do you have a task, chore or endeavor that turned out to be much better than anticipated?
