Day 2 - 167 -- Relaxing Rain

Weather wise, we've had a bit of everything today. Windy with mixed sun and clouds this morning with clouds thickening up during the afternoon. Tonight we have light rain that should abate before noon tomorrow. I spent the day reading for a meeting with a research student this week -- a cozy task for a cloudy day. I got partly caught up on some overdue correspondence and completed some hand laundry (another first since the break).  Overall, it was a relaxed day though a few stressers managed to creep in momentarily. Stress is part of daily life and without it we really wouldn't survive, so one must learn to deal with it and move past it -- easier to type than do some days. <smile>

Many things seem to be piling up at work since I haven't been working at full throttle for four weeks now. Summer is usually a bit slower, but still is very full with preparations for fall classes, admin tasks and all the research writing that doesn't get adequate attention during teaching terms. It is like trying to pack 12 months of work and living into 4 months, as some vacation time should be taken now, since that is impossible during academic terms, too. Working through stresses of all types assists with development of coping strategies -- if we are lucky they will be appropriate strategies <smile>.  This evening my strategy is to listen to the rain on the roof  along with a song or two and think peaceful thoughts.

The selection for today uses rain as a metaphor for life's challenges. The bluesy nature of the music is relaxing, the voice and guitar of the artist soothing.  Enjoy!

Diamonds from the Rain -- Eric Clapton