I’m suddenly so busy; I don’t know where to start
I decided last week to try my hand at art
Monday morning came, and I trotted off to town
Got soaked on the way as the rain thundered down
The art group was crowded, taking turns with the paint
and I really do not have the patience of a saint
I left rather early as I didn’t want to wait
with half a piece of work that I didn’t think was great
Tuesday morning is my own; perhaps time to write
I’m short on ideas, so will my piece be trite?
My imagination frazzled; do I really want to try,
or shall I stop here and now and simply say goodbye?
Tuesday afternoon, I’m at the gardening group
It gets pretty chilly; I was glad I’d taken soup
But nothing’s really growing, and the flowers are dead
I’ll wait till the spring and do something else instead
Wednesday night, I’m drumming; I have a brilliant time
I’m really in my element and feeling quite sublime
Thursday afternoons, I pick litter in the park
We walk around in twos like the creatures in the Ark
Friday comes around, and I have time for myself
I just cannot settle like the Elf on the Shelf*
I ought to read or write, but my concentration’s poor
not helped by the postman who is knocking at my door
Saturday at last, and I am seeing my best friend
I hope that our relationship will never, ever end
We’ll have lunch together; dip our biscuits in our tea
We think so similarly, and we rarely disagree
And finally, Sunday comes, and I’m free to lie in bed
I sleep too heavily and wake up with a sore head
The shopping comes from Tesco; now there’s food to eat
I snuck a bar of chocolate in; my happiness complete!
*Elf on the Shelf (for those who don’t know it) is a classic game that children get involved in at Christmas. There is a toy elf, and the parents/carers place it in different places around the home every night, so delighted children think the elf is moving around itself. My youngest grandchildren are sure that the elf is magic because of this!
Image by Brian Merrill from Pixabay
Ellie Thompson's World 
Loved the way you’ve written this, Ellie😊✨
Thank you very much, Vidah. Xx 😊💕
What a novel and poetic way to summarise a week, Ellie. Good to see that your new year has got off to a flying start. (Glad to see you still found time for chocolate.)😀
Thank you very much, Dave. I’m doing my utmost to stay positive. It’s not always easy, but chocolate always helps 🍫😀
Your choice of the images to use in your posts is impeccable, my dear friend. Love.
Thank you, Thompson. That’s kind of you to say. I spend a lot of time after I’ve written my poem, to find the exact image that I want. Sometimes, it can take me almost as long as writing the poem. Love, too 😘.
Good for you for getting out to those activities! Did you take a look at Pinterest for Smash books? I have a whole board of saved ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/TamaraKulish/smash-books/
This is something you can do using materials you may already have! Enjoy!
Thank you, Tamara. I’m trying my best to keep busy and to stay positive. It’s not always easy, but I don’t want to end up back in the abyss I was in before. Thank you for the link to your Pinterest. I did look but couldn’t find you on there. It sounds a great idea. I will take a look this afternoon and get back to you. Xx 😊💕
Sounds like a good plan! Keeping yourself busy with activities is great for the mind and can also be very cathartic and therapeutic!
Hi Ellie, several comments today. 1st, I really like that image. I know you didn’t create it, but you picked it. I suspect I’ll come back and borrow it at some point. I think it’s great that you’re involved with so many groups. I often wonder what I’ll do with myself when I retire. I worry that I’ll sit around and read CNN 18 hours a day. Lastly, I saw your environmental group referenced in an article today about making snow in drought-stricken parts of Europe. I felt so educated when I said, “Hey, I know them!’
Hi Jeff. It takes me ages to find the right image for my work. Sometimes, it almost takes me as long searching for a picture as it takes me to write the post. I’m super-fussy (or perhaps, more like, a perfectionist). I seem to have gone from doing virtually nothing to doing everything. Sometimes, I need a break from all the activities, too, or I just exhaust myself. When you retire, I’ll see if I can come up with a few ideas for you 😉. One of my wonderful readers, Tamara Kulish, who writes some amazing self-improvement stuff, told me about Smash Books. I’m currently googling them, but they sound right up my street – it’s like an ongoing craft activity I can do from home.
I’m so glad we made the news in a positive way over there. XR are changing their strategy for a year, at least, and are aiming not to disrupt the public; just heading straight at the powers that be (fossil fuel companies, polluters, governments etc). It should be interesting. I’m going to to an XR meeting tonight to find out more about this new way or operating. It’s a great idea about the snow. I haven’t heard about this one. Thanks for your support, both on the environmental front and my blogging front. Both are much appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. 😊
Are you looking at publishing something on Smashwords, or just looking for books? I have a free ebook there, but I don’t think it gets much interest–it’s a rather esoteric subject matter. If you publish one, let me know. I’m not much for ebooks, but I’d read yours.
Tamara suggested something called Smash Books, as opposed to Smashwords. I Googled Smashwords and can see it’s a publisher, which is very interesting. Smash Books are like an adult’s (or child’s) version of scrapbooking. It’s a creative hobby, which you can pick up and put down when you feel like it. I love the idea. I’ve just ordered one from Amazon. I try not to use Amazon if I can help it because of their environmental policies, or lack of, and the way they treat their staff, but when I looked on Etsy (I think that might be a UK only company – not sure, though, they were four times the price.
I do want to publish some of my work, although it’s a real maze out there. I don’t really know where to start. I’ve looked at Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which I’ve heard is a simple way of self-publishing, but I can’t make head or tails of it! The cheapest publisher I’ve found charges £600 – way out of my league. If you have a book with Smashwords, do let me know as I’d like to take a look.
Definitely don’t pay a publisher. The cost to publish my book was ordering a few beta versions @ $5 each to see if it looked right. There are probably people out there who will guide you through the KDP process for way less than $600 (or even free). I also couldn’t figure it out. Susan essentially published my book for me because she got sick of hearing me complain. She just watched a bunch of youtube videos on how to do it. That’s outside my skill set.
Thjis book is 100% on my blog, but I think I have about 600 posts now so it would be hard to find. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/903731 It’s all about trail running so read at your own peril. Also, it portrays a person very different from who I am now. I really changed dramatically when I medicated my OCD and the most obvious place this is visible is when I talk about running. I once had a very testy email exchange with a guy about this book.
I think busy is good, Ellie. I suspect it suits you.
Busy is good, Mick; although I have to watch I don’t overdo it, as at the moment, I’m doing something six days a week, and at this rate, I won’t have time to keep up with my writing. I think it’s about finding a happy medium. Thanks for your encouragement, though.
I really love this writing Ellie. It truly made me feel like I was there with you all week! I hope you’re doing well and that when you see this your day is so good to you. Sending you tons of love warmth and happiness. ❤️😘🤗🌼
Thank you so much, Jenn. I’m glad you were able to relate to my poem. I’ve had a lovely day today as my best friend came over for lunch and the afternoon. Hope your day has gone well, too. Much love and hugs to you. Xx 😘🌷💖🥰
Your writing was so beautiful to read, Ellie! Amazing!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my poem.
Since you did the days of the week, I decided to write a poem about the history of how the days of the week got their names. Thank you for your inspiration.
I’m glad I gave you some inspiration, Brian. I’m looking forward to reading that piece when you have written it. I think it will be very interesting. Have a good day.
that sounds like such a great idea, Brian 🙂 xx
This is wonderful Ellie being selective in your focus on what feels good to do. Hope you also manage some rest. ❤
Thank you, Deborah. I do have to watch I don’t do too much, though. I think, currently, I might be overdoing it a bit as I’m not leaving myself enough time to write my blog, read others’ blogs and keep up with my coursework. I still need to get the balance right. My son and the children are coming over shortly, so I definitely won’t be able to do any catching up this afternoon. I’m way behind keeping up with everyone, Hope you can have a lovely day. Xx 😘🌹💛
Just do what you can I guess Ellie, thats the best way, have a lovely time with the children that sounds more meaningful being with them in the present moment.. ❤
You’re busy, busy, busy, and it all sounds fun, even if you only got half a painting done. (Oh, my, I didn’t mean to rhyme. 🙂). Loved this. 🌼
Love you unintentional rhyme, Brit. It is all fun, but I’m realising I need to pace myself a bit as I’m not getting much time to keep up with my writing, reading others’ blogs and my coursework. I’ll have to find a happy balance, I think. Xx 🥰🌷💕
Thanks. 😏 Okay. I see. It’s always good to have a happy balance. Hopefully you’ll find it, so you can get to do the other things you enjoy too. 🌼
Lovely fun poem Sweetheart!
Thanks very much, Granny. Love you Xxxx 🥰🌼💛
I love this lovely, poetic account.❤️ Those sounded like fun activities. Indulging in a chocolate or two is a pretty good way to conclude the week.😊
Thank you very much, Aaysid. They have been fun, although I think I need to balance my activities out with my writing and coursework. I enjoy all of them, but there never seem to be enough hours in the day. Yes, you are right about the chocolate – I think I deserved it after the busy week I’d had 😊. Xx 💖
Being busy can be such a blessing, especially when we feel the dreaded beast of depression barking at our heels. I’m glad you have so many fun things to do! I hope next week you have even more.
Oh wow!!
So much is happening with you rn
I’m glad for you.
Please take care of your mental health.
Best wishes
and don’t forget to smile.
Thank you, Devang. Yes, suddenly I’ve got very busy whereas, before, I was only going out about once a week. Most days, I feel better than I did, so am making the most of it by going out and about and seeing friends. Best wishes to you also, my friend 😊.
I’m happy for you!!
I would love to see pics of the art, drumming and these things 😀
Thanks, Devang. I was planning to do some art with a friend today, but she’s unwell, so unable to come over. Perhaps, when she does come, I’ll share my artwork here, although it will be very amateur. It’ll be fun, though, and I’m looking forward to my next session. I don’t have any photos of the drumming as we are drumming as a group, and I couldn’t share pictures of other people without their permission, so I don’t think that would be possible. Thanks for the suggestion, though. 😊
I miss Tesco’s, I’m back in April
When you say you’re back in April, do you mean you’re taking a break from blogging until then, or that you’re coming back/visiting the UK again then?
To the UK for April, Essex and suffolk
Just catching up on your beautiful blogs, Ellie. I love this poem and how you’ve shared your busy week with us all. I hope you’ve got some time to REST and reset, too. Sending you lots of love xx
Aww, thank you for catching up, Janet. I see to have gone from doing not a lot to doing as much as I can fit in. Even so, the important thing for me is to have enough time to write – that’s one of my priorities. I need to catch with some of your blogs, too. Much love to you, also Xx 😘💕