Too busy

I’m trying to paint, and do other things, but I volunteered for something and although I get nervous I can do online things and send emails. But I think I have taken on too much, and although I don’t regret it I am finding it hard to keep up.

Part of that is not being here every day. I’ve missed some prompts that I normally enjoy here. And for the next month I think it will get worse. Typing is an issue. I shake so it takes longer to compose things, so my posts are getting shorter.

Anyway it’s almost 2am so goodnight and sweet dreams.

It depends

What do you do to be involved in the community?

I have been a volunteer in the past and taught a few classes in adult numeracy and literacy. I’ve painted murals for a hospital and school, which was a paid job, but it was for community projects. I’ve served on a few committees both politically and for the community, and I still try and help to some extent.

My problem now is that I am not as mobile as I was, and after finishing work early because of my health I am out of touch with a lot of things. But I do still sing in choirs which are entertaining for communities, and I try and donate what I can. It troubles me that I’ve stepped back from things. That can knock your confidence. I also helped moderate a couple of websites for a few years, but they closed down, and after spending two or three hours every night dealing with problems and spam, I was glad to stop. I’m still happy to deliver leaflets, despite meeting snapping dogs at the letterboxes.

So my answer is, it depends what I’m capable of, but I try and do something where I can.

Mural painting.

What job would you do for free?

One of my old murals. I would love to still be doing these and if I had enough money to live on I would volunteer to do things like this for free. Maybe in a children’s ward, or some landscapes for a community centre. I have actually done one or two for free as a volunteer in the past. My first was painting the scenery at my senior school a few decades ago. I wish I’d got photos of it.

My only problem is my health. I can’t move as well as I used to and my balance is not good. I sake a lot so I can’t paint as smooth a line as I did in the past. Age seems to be catching up with me. It’s frustrating because this is the sort of thing I love doing. I get great satisfaction from it. I cannot remember when I didn’t paint or draw. It has been my life when I’ve been able to do it.