Over the last week it has become very noticeable that the days are shortening. In the past I used to detest this lessening of daylight hours, but now I welcome it. It’s about learning to bring light in to darker hours.
When I think of light, I think of two types. There is the light of my actual lights. Specially chosen soft light bulbs creating a warm, cosy and inviting atmosphere. Strings of fairy lights to add a twinkle. Both make me smile, and it means I don’t mind that I have to turn the lights on.
And the other light is more metaphysical. It’s using the darker parts of the days to be more productive, and enjoying the lighter part of the day to relax and have fun. It’s an actual conscious mind shift.
I actually like to take time to sit and work out what works for me. Preferably enjoying a sunny day and a coffee in Cafe du Canard, surrounded by my feathered friends in my considerations. My thoughts run along the lines of what to do when.
As an early riser, I know I now have 3 to 4 hours of work time before daylight. It’s a lovely time to work, sat on my napping sofa, lights twinkling and usually a cat snuggled in on my side. It’s my time to go through my regular chores for my shops. And by dawn, most of my days work is done.
Then it is off to the let ducks out. I take my laptop into the garden if the weather is fine and use the opportunity of the ducks foraging time to work on photographs or writing for our blog.
After a good forage the ducks get sleepy and that’s my time to head back inside to the office. Time to put new items in to the shops (links below). My intent is to get all my new listings done before mid-day. Most times I am successful, but every now and then research draws me in and it takes a little longer than planned.
Mid-day is time for photographs if the sun is shining. Natural light is always best for taking photos, but it can be tricky as days shorten. So I have to be quite disciplined about when to take them. I always hope to photograph at least three times a week, but it can vary as the days vary.
Photography done, lunch eaten and the afternoon daylight is mine to do with as I wish. The weather once again generally dictates my choices. If it is nice the garden always beckons, even in winter time. Big Dig 1, Side B is never ending at the moment and always calls to me.
But sometimes the mood strikes to read a good book or write a letter. This can be done inside or out. Cafe du Canard is a favourite reading spot, but I never begrudge a rainy day as then the cosiness of my couch can be enjoyed instead.
Monday afternoons are often set aside for administration, whatever the weather. A necessary evil, but one I like to get out of the way at the beginning of the week. If I am lucky, work is completed quickly and there is still the rest of the shortened afternoon to enjoy.
The afternoon is once more time for the ducks to have their garden time, often helping me if I am endeavouring to work in the garden myself. And come dusk it is time for the ducks to head to bed. In safely for the night, I head back to the office to parcel up any purchases, ready to be taken to the post office the next day.
It’s always a conundrum of fitting in the walk to our village Post Office as it is only open a limited time in the mornings. It certainly doesn’t take long, but it does take planning. If I am lucky all the items being sent are envelope size and can simply go into the post box, which I can do in my afternoons instead.
It’s a curious think that a simple life can take such planning. But it is in the planning and use of the darker hours that makes my day so enjoyable.
Our Shops:
Pumpjack & Piddlewick – Fan Findings from France (and beyond, but mostly France)
French Silk Scarf – offering up the quality of vintage and antique scarves from France
Taking Time Too – digital downloads for those who like paper crafting (like Piddlewick)
Here’s a tiny visual sampling of vintage items you will find in our shops:
Simply click on a picture to see more items.