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Aching hands are a Good Sign

Cross Fit for Writers!

Along with my resolution to write like it’s a Real Job my hands have begun to ache. My knuckles actually. I did not even think of this; that my hands might not keep up!

Desk with desk, chair, and books and screens, and closed laptop and a few outside the door of trees in the winter

I have a – what do you call it – special compression glove thingy somewhere deep in my desk. And no, I really do not tidy up for visitors! This is exactly how my desk looks this morning.

But having a stricter routine is really working. I am dragging a schedule back into place and getting a good four hours writing under my belt each day plus plenty of time on the farm. Well – not so much yesterday. Yesterday was so sunny and so lovely I took a page out of Tima’s book and sat in the sun for a bit.

Pit, pig sleeping out on the grass in the winter sunshine

All the pigs were laid out in sunny patches. All quite separately. Laying about like great satisfied heaps in the sun.

Then in the evening I went to my night job that uses my hands attached to a mop! And this works new muscles and soothes my knuckles. Cross-Fit for writers. Plus cleaning pays so much better!😂. The cleaning started as a support job – helping out a friend who is a cleaner but gets nervous working by herself alone at night. (Looking below you will see why) So I am helping out for a while.

I quite like mindless heavy work. It releases my brain into useful thinking.

Plus I cannot write worth shit in the evenings. So I may as well be out earning a little moulah! Yes?

Here are a few shots from the small town I visited last night.

Small town at night industrial buildings

I was waiting for my friend.

Small Midwest town at night industrial buildings, and big John Deere tractor

And feeling only a little spooked by the empty after work spaces. No-one about.

Small Midwest town at night and lights small workshop with tires sitting outside

Like, if we are not careful to focus on the present there is a potential to slip back into the ‘50’s, just by turning around too fast and tripping through a crack in time.

What does your schedule look like today?

Celi

PS No PS. 🤭

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40 responses to “Aching hands are a Good Sign”

  1. I get a lot of excersise by cleaning. It frees my mind to focus my thoughts, and yes, it gives my hands a different kind of exercise, for awhile. It’s hard for me to sit still, unless I’m comfortable, in a position that’s just right. As soon as I sit, I think of something I want or need to do Right Now, like empty my bladder.

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  2. I’m not surprised you friend feels a bit spooked at that location.
    I’ve got RSI in my wrists, so I try to use the keyboard more than the mouse…

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  4. I absolutely know what you mean about the aching hands Celi! When we moved from Thailand after teaching in Asia for 12 years, using my hands to wield a whiteboard marker daily, to our new adventure of farming, my hands throbbed at night. At first I was quite concerned that something was terribly wrong, but then realized that my body was actually growing new muscles. Not only in my hands, but everywhere. Quite amazing what our bodies do! And sitting and soaking in the sun is a very good idea indeed!!!

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  8. I know exactly what you mean Celi. Nowadays, I find if I type for any length of time I end up with very sore hands. So on go the compression gloves for a short time. Did you know you can dictate onto your iPhone, your MacBook and your iPad as I am doing here. I find I always have to edit before sending as my New Zealand accent is quite often misunderstood. Judith

    Judith Baxter E: Judith@judithbaxter.net.nz T (64) 021 797400

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  10. Aching hands… yes. If it gets too bad I plunge them into hot water till they go red. I have a very good product that is made by a compounding pharmacist, containing aspirin and arnica in a tea-tree scented cream. It works amazingly well, rubbed into aching hand joints. Typing doesn’t actually bother my hands too much, but cooking, sewing and scrubbing sure do…

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    • I wonder what that product is, I’ve got a really cool fluid from a friend of mine. Her mother brought it from Poland. That is really great for joints that are hurting. You’ve reminded me I must get that out.

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  11. Methinks ‘use it or lose it’ is as true of desk activities as cleaning. I have worked behind a writing table literally all my life – and I use desktop office equipment and landline phones up to 10-14 hours daily – no dictation, no Siri . . . the one mobile I bought some seven years ago slipped behind my bed way back and I have not been in a hurry to retrieve it! Well, doing my university assignments, work letters, on-line shopping, continuous contact with friends all over in four languages and the rest . . . yes, I type an awful lot but in a totally relaxed manner so I have never felt tired in my arms . . . ! Love it !!! But for certain I do not like the look of where you and your friend work nights . . . I honestly do not know of one place which would be so forbiddingly empty !!! Good for the dollars but, but . . .

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  12. Before I retired I was a teacher – and some of the most ‘haunting’ times were the nights we stayed late for family interviews … or working on setting up special events … When a school is empty and dark it feels very different. I liked the contrast … seeing those spaces so shadowy and echoey … I grew up in a family that ran a few grocery stores. Those spaces were also very interesting when everything was closed up and dark. Your pictures reminded me of those spaces. More than half the days in the wintertime those spaces ARE dark and empty … the busy’ness hours are fewer. Borrowed from the night!

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    • Borrowed from the night. I like that. And yes! I also loved the school when it was empty. We don’t have the same long corridors in our schools in New Zealand like you do here in America. Our schools are very much outdoor corridors. But that lovely feeling of emptiness in the night I remember that.

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  13. I have arthritis in my hands and wrists. I use a CBD cream, that gives some relief and I bought a pair of heated gloves, that helps some too. I find the compression gloves actually hurt the base of my thumbs. This getting old ain’t for sissies!

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  14. Hmph! Getting old ? C’mon beautiful lady !!! Probable granddaughter of mine – old – you kidding? OK – Kate’s use of hot water does work! The more you work without worry the more fit you will be! No need to talk to anyone else . . . just enjoy it your own way . . . !

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