Weekday Evenings

So, what do you do in the evenings after work? I have just about as many answers to that question as there are days in the month. But there are a few that predominate.

1) Yardwork. This is first on the list not because it is the most important, or because I do it the most often. It is first because it is what I did last night, so it is fresh in my mind.

I am one of those people that love to see a row of freshly cut grass appear behind me as I walk across the lawn with a mower. Last night I got to try my hand at using the trimmer (for the second time). It is not due to lack of interest that I have very little experience with those machines, but rather my brother's great interest in them. At our house he loves to get out his big trimmer, put on all sorts of protective gear, and wack away.

I'm not as fond of garden work. I enjoy it when I actually do it, but I prefer to mow the lawn while someone else plays with plants in the dirt.

This activity is restricted to evenings with at least some light and minimal rain. This means I rarely do yardwork several months out of the year. Either I get home after dark or it is raining.

As a side note, I need to get one of those face shield things. I'm very grateful for the protection my glasses provided me last night, but would like to spare them that particular job in the future.

2) Attend political meetings. Four nights a month I have a regularly scheduled political meeting. Other miscellaneous meetings pop-up from time-to-time to increase the number of evenings spent on this activity.

3) Do jobs around the house. I love to fix things, put together things, install things, etc. All of my "spare" evenings for several months were previously occupied by redecorating both bathrooms, replacing lights, etc. Most of the small jobs are now done and we await an opening to begin a "major remodeling project." This will require professional help. But I'm sure I'll be able to find ways to assist in the evenings.

4) Paperwork. Ahh, that 21st Century never-ending task. I usually use the paperwork excuse as a reason to sit on my bed, watching a recorded TV show or movie, while creating piles of sorted paper all around me. It's also a good activity if I am not feeling my best or want to be alone for some quiet time.

If I don't have a paperwork night every month or so, I start to get into unsorted paperwork overload. I have an idealistic goal of properly reading and filing all the paper from that week each weekend. However, maybe sometime I'll discuss my weekends and you will see why that rarely happens.

5) Shop...as in grocery shopping. I enjoy doing the household grocery shopping. By the time I get away from work, do the shopping, get home and put the stuff away, and eat dinner, it is usually time to get ready for bed.

6) Work late. Ahh, another 21st Century affliction. Well maybe not. Think of farmers who worked sun-up to sun-down. Think of slaves. Think of mothers who have traditionally spent their evenings serving their families.

I have several good excuses to work late. I'm not married and don't have a family that will suffer. I enjoy my job and it is for a good cause...we're making a difference in this world. I often get things done that I don't seem to have time to do during the day.

If I ever get married, my job will suffer...without me actually. (grin)

OK. That sums up most of my evenings. Various other evenings are spent with things like Bible studies, visiting friends, working on campaigns, etc. But I think the majority of regular activities are summarized above.