It was 4 o'clock and I found myself free. The 'fun' part of this hour was the operative concept of free. It wasn't something I had put on the day's plan that morning. It was 'free time' that showed up because something finished a bit sooner than expected. The time was 'found'. When I was teaching and we had a snow day (time off from school for weather related issues) it was a free day and most often, back then, I would spend the day sewing. In this instance it is unscheduled, unstructured, leisure time.
Life can sap your energy and motivation. You wake up, focus on what has to get accomplished that day and don't even consider that you might have a moment to do something selfish. These days life has a pattern of work, house chores, cooking, shopping and Russ' needs. I don't find a whole lot of 'free time'. Actually, I can often be found 'free' and sound asleep on the couch after dinner.
I googled Free Time and there was nothing leisurely about what I found. It all had the essence of accomplishing something; working on a side project, practicing a craft, or improving a skill. Most of the google free time directives were about using that free time constructively to provide yourself with further success and benefit! Hmmmm, so relaxing!
Here are a couple of the directions I could have gone:
- 12 Steps- How to Fill Your Free Time with Useful Things
- The 35 Best Ways to Spend Your Free Time
- 20 Productive Ways to Use Your Free Time
- 7 Ways Successful People Spend Their Free Time
- Spend Your Free Time on These 4 Activities and Learn Interesting Things
I must say, I went the selfish route and made cookies. We try not to eat much sugar so when I bake I give most of it away. Builders working in our neighborhood were the recipients this time and I had a lovely free hour doing something frivolous.
...tho I used cranberries instead of raisins this time.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp, cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground clove
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Cookies:
Heat the oven to 375
Mix shortening, sugar and egg thoroughly
Stir in applesauce
Blend dry ingredients together and mix in half at a time.
Mix in raisins and nuts.
Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.