I had an email from my niece Melissa a few days ago and in it she mentioned that Roy (her husband) will be travelling for work and the fellow who usually accompanies him won’t be doing so this time. Roy, then, will have 3 nights alone and Melissa thinks he will be bored in his hotel room. I thought about it and have come to the conclusion that 3 nights alone in a hotel room might be kind of nice. I’d make pots of tea and read page after page of my book, stopping only to use the bathroom - that’s the problem with tea - and not because someone was speaking to me or needed something. I might go out for supper one night but bringing a simple meal back to the room would do otherwise. I’d have to set aside time for long, uninterrupted baths, the kind that last so long that you have to add more hot water. I don’t know that I’d turn of the television, though. It would be wasteful to invite people into my solitude. I suppose, depending on the city I was in, I would also spend time exploring. After 4 months on my own in Quebec City on a French course, I’m quite comfortable playing the solo tourist.

This may all be empty talk from a woman who hasn’t spent the night away from her child in 3.5 years but I think I’ll soon be ready to walk the talk. Ken and I will be going away for a few days in May while Reid stays with Grandma Joyce. Reid is excited at the prospect and keeps asking if it is May yet. I’m looking forward to the break and I’m sure Ken is as well. He has practice being away from Reid since he has been to Europe a couple of times for work and once to Vancouver, not to mention all of the time when I took Reid and went to stay at my mom’s. I can only hope he’ll be a bit sympathetic if/when I miss Reid while we’re away.

What would you do with 3 free evenings?