The Reward

I have blogged recently about eating peanut butter by the spoonful, posted recipes, and wrote about a craving for soft-serve turning into an afternoon escape at the local coffee spot which has outdoor seating. Reading magazines and sipping an iced latte was definitely an escape. We have been sheltering in since mid-March and gotten to know our homes in more intimate ways than we ever expected. In fact, we have noticed the flaws, the blemishes, and even the downright broken places. We have ordered the supplies online to fix the breaks while ordering groceries and alcohol online too. We have binged watched shows, had Zoom sessions with colleagues, family, and friends, and even dug out the dusty deck of cards. So my “escape” could also be viewed as a reward for all of this. Not to mention a reward for living 24/7 with my 15 y.o. daughter. In fact, the subject of my latest newsletter article, “Attaboy and Atta-not” is rewards and consequences. After a long day of commuting and work, my late father came home changed clothes, and poured himself a scotch. Today we don’t commute to work or client meetings. Heck, I recently had a tele-doc session with my dermatologist. Shopping is mostly online now, so there is no traipsing all over town. Using the example of my dad, and evening scotch is no longer needed—no commute, no colleague interruptions, and no water cooler banter. However, sheltering-in for this long deserves a reward. Now that things have opened back up, I rewarded myself with a getaway (and a needed break from my daughter). Since I booked an Air BNB, I can bring my disinfecting wipes, bathroom cleaner and have a nice place (not a nondescript hotel room) to eat my take out meals.

“Well said! I love your blogs!💕” — Bobye L. (full disclosure, my mother)