The mice are away and the cat’s playing. Well, working actually. How amazing to be living in an almost empty house. Man and three kids are gone for another week and a bit. Only myself, my older daughter and the dog. I have time to THINK. And watch TV. And dream. And hang around. And I don’t have to think about what’s for dinner or what needs to go in the book bag for school. Waking up in the morning would be thoroughly peaceful if it were not for the sound of the dog destroying her own cushion.

 

Well, yeah. Of course I love my kids, but life without them is very very straightforward and quiet. I don’t realise it when they’re here, but kids are demanding (duh).

 

I’m taking advantage of all this time to read a lot of poetry and I’ve embarked on the Poem a Day challenge for the whole of April. Not sure if it’s working for me -I think a lot misfire - but the way I see it, if I can come up with a couple of good poems it’ll be worthwhile. I’m thinking of this as a chance to generate a load of new rough material that I can then revisit and rework. I find certain themes are already recurring. I feel a collage coming on. I guess this process stops me getting too precious about the work. I just haven’t got the time.

 

Oh, but hang on. What did I just say about time? Didn’t I just say I HAD time? See? Give me an hour and I take a month. Am I NEVER satisfied?

 

No I am not. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

 

I fancy a trip down to the Tate Modern to see the photography exhibition, and a trip to Divertimenti to buy kitchen contraptions. And a facial. And seeing all my friends. And catching a movie. And going to the theatre.

 

Will I have enough time? Who knows. But I’ll cram in as much as I can.

 

Hope you enjoy your week as much as I’m going to enjoy mine.