A journey: Sabbatical continues

I don't seem to read much so far. I am not writing much either.

I seem to be mostly:

gardening,
cleaning,
reorganizing home library,
taking naps,
going into the pool with Will for an hour or longer at a time most days,
cooking simple stuff ( I thought I would cook seriously),
video chatting with my 3 sisters on the messenger,
going to Church with Will on Sundays to his Church and
staying in the house 95% of the time.
Oh, yes, during the watching of movies in the evenings, I nap and Will watches it.

Yesterday I picked up a book given to me by Dotti and Bob Garrison of Overbrook Presbyterian Church, Columbus, OH in 1999 when I was leaving them to follow Will to Louisville, KY. It is called, "A Sabbatical Journey by Henry Nouwen." He said that he was discovering on his sabbatical that he was quite addicted to being busy and having withdrawal. I can identify with that now.

Yesterday I did "unfollow" to all my Church member Facebook Friends. Because I was responding to their pain and misfortunes posted by them. I am supposed to be NOT their pastor for 15 weeks on this sabbatical. I also fixed my Facebook so they cannot see my postings. So, in some ways, my sabbatical began yesterday. Many thanks to Mr. Nouwen.

Today is day 18' on my sabbatical. I have still not accomplished anything. As I floated in the pool water this morning, I wonder why I have been feeling guilty, lazy or tired, and anxious everyday of the 18 days. So far this sabbatical is not much of anything to enjoy except that I don't have to talk to any one.

Did you know that I was a very quiet person originally. All through my life 'til nearly 40 years of age, I was know as a person who rarely spoke. I listened. I was quiet. I read. I got lost in my books and my thoughts. I gardened, I knitted, I cross-stitched, I read, I cooked and fed people without saying much, I ran, I played badminton, I told jokes to my family in the evenings and laughed with them, and I watched movies.

As it was necessary as an associate pastor in Louisville, KY, I trained myself to talk to people. I had been doing that since age 39. I am 60 now. I really looked forward to this sabbatical as I will not have to talk out of necessary. That part - I am enjoying immensely. How lovely it is that there is no need to do 'polite talk.'

It is best to return to the books now.

Oh, yes I am back to reading 'A Year With Thomas Merton: Daily Meditations from His Journal". Quite refreshing.

What a rambling note this is. I am writing a lot without saying much.

May this evening be a pleasant one to you.