The Midweek License

I’ve got a jingle running around in my head: “You deserve a break today……”

It’s Wednesday, which either triggers jubilation or consternation, depending on how your week is going. Half empty or half full it is, regardless, cause for celebration. The goal is to make your day as easy and elegant as possible.

Wednesday is laundry day around here. Midweek is just the time to reward yourself with crisply laundered sheets and ironed pillowcases. It gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day.

But we have to get you there first.

My guess is that you are well past your (hopefully) nutritious and sustaining breakfast. You may have already had your morning coffee and are well into the inbox. Wednesdays are days to get things done that have been left undone since the beginning of the week. Which means that you are going to need a break by this afternoon.

I’ve got another little ditty running through my brain. We used it to warm up before performances: A proper cup of coffee in a proper copper coffee cup.

I hope you have access to a proper coffee shop. If not the ubiquitous Starbucks will have to do. This afternoon, why don’t you take a real coffee break? Take along a novel or a bit of the morning paper (I suggest the arts and entertainment section, the book review, or the editorials) and order a demi-tasse of espresso. Sit at a table. Take as long as you can get away with to drink your small cup and read your paper. While in Europe, I would have a panatella (sometimes a pastis or cognac!) along with my coffee. I doubt that you can do that here. Instead have one small, dark, bittersweet piece of chocolate and walk back to the office, refreshed.

On the way home, stop off and pick up some fresh flowers in a cheering colour. You might pick up some very fresh food for tonight (a globe artichoke or some string beans, perhaps), fresh crusty bread and a nice bottle of wine. I recommend a white Burgundy, a dry rosé, or a Sauvignon Blanc (stay away from anything oaked.) A simple meal is in order tonight. An omelette aux fines herbes with your specially purchased fresh side dish and a green salad dressed with a vinaigrette.

(An aside: If you are single, or have no children to worry about, and are feeling particularly awake, it might be a fine night to attend a concert or performance. Something special may have caught your eye when you read that bit of the paper this afternoon. Seek something soothing, bossa nova, jazz or light classical. I live in a college town and there is always a live performance somewhere and there are always good seats available. Oftentimes the performances are free. But avoid the bar scene as it is counterproductive to the goal of the evening.)

At last to bed on your new sheets. I suggest showering and shaving first. It will refresh you and cut down a little on your morning rush.