I Stayed at Home

It's the time of year when things are getting cold outside, the light is getting precious and the darkest days of winter are yet to come.  I find myself planning ahead and booking events so that I know I have things to look forward to.  This is generally a good plan, except when it turns out it isn't.
I should have been somewhere this weekend.  I bought the ticket, I arranged to meet up with friends I have not seen for several months and I looked forward to it.....
..... until about three weeks ago.  Then I started to think that I needed to the time to do other things.  I really could do without having the day off from work on the Friday, I really could do with some time in the garden and, well frankly, the thought of driving there and back did not fill me with joy.  I did not decide there and then not to go, but in truth once that seed is planted it tends to set deep roots.
Days went by, more and more reasons started to build as to why being at home was a better idea.  An invite for lunch arrived, I could have just turned it down but I didn't want to.  I accepted the lunch invite and then I knew that I was not going to go to the booked event.
My instinct was right, that nagging voice telling me to stay at home is rarely wrong and I learned long ago to listen to it.  I knew I needed some down time at home and I needed some time in the garden.
It turned out to be a good day for weeding.  The front border was soon weeded, then I moved into the back garden and weeded the Exotic Border and the Woodland Border.  As always I tell myself that one weed removed this time of year saves me two hundred next year so I spent the day feeling virtuous.  So virtuous that I am sure that the cheesy chip sandwich I had for lunch would contain no calories whatsoever.
I was out in the garden until the light was getting low.  I was rewarded by the sight of one the Aldi acers that is currently a shock of coppery red leaves that are hanging on just that little bit longer than the other acers.  I stopped and stood by it for a moment and thought what a good day it had been.  I had not stuck to the original plan and  part of me was sorry not to have met up with my friends and missing out on a very interesting day.  As a general rule I cannot afford to buy tickets for things and just not turn up; but sometimes listening to that inner voice is the right thing to do.