Returning, with much to think about

Almost two weeks since my previous post, and I'm not really sure why the reluctance to blog.  It's not through lack of things going on, that's for sure; indeed perhaps there has just been a little too much on my mind recently.  To tidy things up, I'll attempt a quick round-up.

I have alluded to some paid work over the past few weeks.  It wasn't planned or sought out, but when it was offered to me, I decided to try it out.  Although I knew there would be some compromises to be made at home, I had not anticipated some of the other issues that cropped up and I have learned some  valuable lessons as a result.  I had many hours to give serious consideration to some quite 'big' issues - choice, agency, social/economic prejudices - and the realisation that not everyone gets the same breaks in life.  The discussions I had in my head were wide-ranging and thorough, and found I had to challenge some mis-conceptions I hadn't realised I held (or perhaps unwilling to admit to).  Temporary contracts, minimum wage, uncertainty, limited options . . . yes, plenty to think about.  

My foray into employment didn't last long (my choice - and I realised that I was fortunate to have that choice) and I am now busy working back at home.  I had missed it.  N and I make a good team but we both need to be here to make our simple life work properly.  Having said that, N has managed to get lots of odd jobs done - the second coat of paint in the kitchen and hallway for a start, no mean feat.  And so much work in the garden, too.  I found that I was so tired when I got home each evening that even though there were many things to be done, it was a real effort to do even a bit.  The cleaning slipped, bread was bought rather than made, no sewing done at all.  It's taken a few days to get back into a rhythm again while I try to catch up on bits that were left but I'm more or less there now.  And it feels good.  I've finally been able to dive into a pressing sewing project (why do I always leave these things till the very last minute?) which is going far better than I thought it would (and I should have learned that lesson, too!)

I must make mention of the water situation.  The water butts were empty and we were diligently saving every drop of reusable kitchen water to keep the vegetables watered.  No rain for days.  Until yesterday, when it rained, not a light drizzle but a torrential downpour for the entire day.  Apparently we had as much rain in one day as we normally get for the whole month.  The storm drains  overflowed, there was huge run-off from the parched ground unable to soak the deluge up, and roads were flooded.  But the water butts are now full - hooray!