We went away for a few days, and now we are home, back to our old routines. Back to waking up early and writing. Back to seven litter boxes and cat barf on the carpet. I wonder what they ate that made one of the cats sick?
And I feel lost. What should I do first? A load of laundry, or wash the bowl with left over macaroni and cheese in it?
What project should I do first?
I miss routine.
It’s a hard thing to leave any deeply routine life, even if you hate it.
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden
This is my home, but I feel like a stranger.
The stains on the carpet seem darker, the cats seem louder, and I just want to get on another plane, so I don’t have to think about my life and what I am doing.
Life is so much easier being a guest in someone else’s home. You can visit and you don’t have to think about what you are doing with your life.
It is time to think now. But I want a few more hours to not think.
I want a few more hours at my mother-in-laws kitchen hearing her stories. And I want a few more hours with my father-in-law watching Jeopardy.
I fed the cats and made a cup of tea. Now I will clean the litter boxes and take the van in to get its yearly inspection.
Good morning Gilbertsville.
I am home.
Do you find it is hard to come home after going away? Please tell me in the comments.