Despite a long unwritten and largely ignored list of chores; last night I went to bed at 6.30pm and slept until 7am.
I can get to that list tomorrow, I thought.
At the very least I can begin to write that list tomorrow, was my second thought.
I have remembered a few of the things for that list this morning which surely counts as some kind of action.
Maybe when I grow up I will be a poet.
Because the above reads like a poem on how to practically procrastinate with panache.
I have discovered a macro feature on my new iPhone camera (mainly because I laid my phone onto my bommy knocker torch so it (the phone) was on a slant and better to read your blog posts while I ate my meal of the day, the torch rolled away (as they do) which dropped the camera and accidentally enabled the camera (a rolling pin torch is not the best leaner) and voila- I saw a close up of one of the antique screws in the table) (needs cleaning).
I am going to be playing around with that today!
Earlier yesterday as I was walking I also discovered that Siri will take dictation. In the notes app.
So, yesterday much to my delight I was writing as I was walking. Speaking into the phone that was simultaneously counting my steps. Surely this is not procrastination. More practical I think?
Short cuts are not cheating you know!
But be careful not to say: What the hell? What an idiot! OUT LOUD while you are thinking what to write as a reply to a text. If your thumb is in the wrong place on the screen the mic will pick that up and write it too! Life is full of traps nowadays! Talking to oneself has consequences. Especially with our Helpful Spy Siri around.
However these are all practical ways to support my procrastinating nature.
I wonder if I can get another early night tonight?
What time do you usually go to bed?
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
40 responses to “Practical Procrastination”
Wow, you must have been really tired! I find it hard to go to bed before 1.30am, but I do like a siesta when possible.
I’ve just been trying to photograph a black ladybird with macro. Not easy when the bug is moving and I had to hold out the blind it was on to get some light on the subject.
I can just see it!!
Photographing moving ladybirds could be a poem!
Ha ha – you need two hands to hold the phone ideally!
Yes!! Problem number one!
It varies widely, often around 9 PM. The real question is what time do I have to get up? It’s been 12:15 AM, 2:45 AM, 3:45 AM, today a leisurely 4:22 AM. If I had my druthers I would sleep until dawn every day.
I set my MIL up to make her own dinner yesterday afternoon. I am working on her gaining back some independence now. I am sure she could have warmed up her dinner but whether she ate more than a bite is another thing.
We are often in bed by 10:30. Lights out by 11. Last night was later. We attended a concert by a popular local band playing a program of Eric Clapton music he did throughout his career. They and we and the audience had a great time.
I have been listening to a little Eric Clapton too lately. What an excellent way to send an evening!
We sleep at 10PM . After seen the post of friends like you.
Then instead of good morning I will say Good Night to you my friend.
Ha ! “Practical Procrastination,” I realize, has gotten me through most of my life. Probably a pro by now. Thanks for the nomenclature, I promise to use it well and often.
Bedtime: any time…depending on the whims of my world. So wonderful to finally able to create my own existence in time & space.
And thanks for the great photos… have a refreshing fall day.
Nomenclature – that is SUCH a good word!!!
I’m an early riser (5-5:30) by nature and also by preference! So we get into bed around 9, then there’s usually reading for half an hour. But lights out by 9:30. 9:45 at the latest! I need my sleep. Had to kick my cat out of the bedroom because he was disrupting my snoozing. We’re both happier now. Glad you got a long sleep in.
That sounds just right. I always read before sleep too. What are you reading?
I’m reading Goodnight June, by Sarah Jio. One of the characters (via letters) in it is Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight, Moon, of course. I got this book from the library and almost returned it unread because I have so many books waiting for me! But I’m so glad I started it. I read far longer than I should have today after lunch and as a bonus, the plot of the novel I’m working on echoes this one so I’m taking notes. So fun.
Aha! And fancy returning a book unread. Almost!
I always have good intentions, but mostly seem to be awake until the wee hours: 1:30; 2:30; 3:00… Anything past three usually means I have no hope of sleep finding me at all.
NOTE, my month in Costa Rica living with my friends from there and working at the local school had me in bed at sunset and up at the crack of dawn. We had to be ready to catch a ride into town on the back of the lechero (the milk wagon). I miss those hours, but different life and times here and now.
Costa Rica sounds wonderful. Esp catching a ride on the lechero! Dawn to dusk. Lovely.
Good for you! Sleep and renewal was clearly needed 🙂
Those chickens! As old folk in my family used to say about children, they are “growing like weeds”! How long before the freezer for them? Bedtime for me is mostly between 9-10 and I rise from 5-6. No reason to sleep in I say, get the day started. Today is cooking for the week and laundry.
They don’t go in until the first week of December so I am fattening them slowly. The chicken slaughter house is all busy with turkeys until then!
Oh my yes, that makes sense 😉
As I have no one to answer to or consider other than myself, I go to bed when I feel like it and get up the same way. I have always had a nocturnal tendency and preferred working graveyard shift when I worked security, also got a bit more pay for that, most others didn’t want to try and stay awake through the night and it was something I had no problem doing.
I’m also quite good at procrastination, must be all the years of practice.
Working into the night is a real skill. I was never very good at it. I don’t even bother trying to write after 3pm! But nice to toddle off to bed when you are ready.
Another lifelong night owl saying hello and best sleep wishes. Actually my most enjoyable hours these days seem to be twixt 9pm and midnight when the best political commentaries, panel discussions and food and sports programmes from Europe come in on the various media . Mugs of green tea and utter peace and quiet are wonderful . . . make myself get up around 7am – health and discipline routine I guess! Good you can sleep the sleep you need . . .
I’m back!!! You would not believe it! The next post I read this morning from an Australian medical university professor – it was suggested I take a CHRONOGRAPH test with
the ‘Sleepdoctor’ . . . fascinating and true . . . sleep is a genetic ‘thing’! Oh, I am a ‘boring’ bear . . . the professor being a ‘dolphin’ Have fun !!!
I am a pro at procrastinating. It was easier years back when I was a smoker as in, “I’ll just sit down for a bit and have a smoke.’ Not to worry, I’ve found endless other ways to do it. As I am a terribly restless sleeper, waking every hour or two, I strive to keep to a regular sleep schedule, in between 10 & 10:30 , up between 6:30 & 7. What a treat it would be to sleep straight through the night and wake refreshed, not feeling like I’ve been running around all night.
Waking every hour or two sounds tiring but so common too. I drink piles of water in the night – it is when I get the most thirsty – so I am up a few times to run to the loo.
Very very cold here. Coming your way soon. Brrr
Thank you for the heads up!!
23* last night
Eeee ooooo!
I best find my farm gloves.
Quite sensible of you to do that
When I go to sleep varies but I always wake at 5AM
It is interesting how the body just takes over sometimes. I wake early too but this morning I just lay on bed and stared at the light coming through the leaves for a while. My whole day got late!
Yesterday I set myself up lying on the sofa with my laptop, and read a whole batch of your blogs, maybe a whole month’s worth.
My writing project makes it hard to read other things, but a draft of my new book is almost ready so I allowed myself to take a blog break. It was a pleasure to read your beautiful writing about the moon, night walks and caring for your MIL. Now I’m all set for the November batch. I rather like doing it this way; it reads like a novel.
Oh my goodness! That is beautiful! And congratulations on having draft of your new book almost ready.
I am working hard on establishing a real writing routine. It is hard. I want to write more but am pulled in all directions. I take my hat off to you real writers!
I was reflecting on an earlier post where you said you wanted to write a book. I meant to say then that you have already written one! ie all the material is there in your farm blog.
My writing now consists of edited journals. I take the day to day fresh writing over a chosen period, then edit and shape it into a narrative with a theme. I remember the drama of your early blog, when you were milking Daisy. It would make a great book.
I miss Daisy. But milking was hard!! Keeping her healthy was hard.
I do want to write a book. I am training myself to write every day now. It is close I think. I think.
I know it was hard. You don’t flinch from the realism of farming and what you are doing there is heroic. People need this story!
Writing every day is the secret, so congratulations. I’ve heard writers say it’s the secret and call it, ‘ bum on seat’.
Bums on Seats! Indeed. I keep writing every day but have not begun the book yet. Maybe today
PS You are a real writer!