Retooling mouse

Our time away began with a quick start, Sir returned to daily maintenance and also brought back the idea of daily enemas. Punishments were also given more or less at the time of occurrence unless he felt it was best to wait. Other things very subltle were included, like serving him coffee in a cup with saucer, preparing it the way he liked. Iced tea served in a tall glass with a bit of lemon. Meals prepared and mostly served family style, which encouraged lingering. He banished shoes, making mouse leave them outside the back door.

He found alternative uses for fishing line, hooks and clothesline pegs that tormented mouse endlessly. But the real main focus was on service. There were frequent picnics, long walks, and plenty of displays of public submission. Nothing in your face but appeared natural. Like having mouse kneel on the blanket as we picnicked. Nobody took any notice -- like at all because you know mouse was looking for any sign of disapproval. Eventually, somewhere after the first few weeks mouse stopped looking to others and only to Sir.

That was when the shift in mouse became really obvious (if only to her), when she really began to embrace her emotions, a sense of peace, pleasure in service or maybe feeling useful, came over her. Domestic duties like cooking, cleaning became a pleasure. The big shift occurred after a month passed, that's when mindfulness really kicked in with so much improved focus from mouse it was cathartic.

Shaking away the cares or worries about day to day life and feeling comfortable again in the bubble of submission. Rediscovering that the world will indeed continue spinning, regardless if mouse pays attention to it or not. Understanding that it doesn't make her stupid or "less than" not to be so well-informed about the current events. It's trusting Sir that if there is something she needs to know about -- he will tell her about it -- otherwise she adapted to quell the nosiness to know everything.

By far the most difficult time during the summer was when Sir departed, leaving mouse somewhat adrift. His only command was for mouse to shut off her cellphone and not turn it on. Instead she was to trust that on Friday evening he would return. If something happened, he would send word.

He scheduled himself unavailable on Mondays so we effectively only had three days apart. Friday evening he returned just as he promised and we worked out the schedule for mouse to pick him up. The weekends belonged to us -- where again mouse was completely free to dote on him. Keeping herself mentally occupied during those days was never difficult but being out of touch was another issue. So many nights mouse was completely tempted to drive into town to call him. That never changed.

When we returned home, instead or falling back into old habits we kept it up. Sir had the housekeeper do a few pet projects of his too while we were all away. All the coffee mugs were gone from the house and cups and saucers now replaced them. The pantry was set up differently and junk foods banished. Including the Milano cookies mouse had hidden that Sir later confessed he ate. He wants mouse to focus more on her cooking skills. He doesn't object to an occasional treat, but would prefer that mouse learn to make something like it. A compelling idea.

Returning to the world seemed daunting at first, again the whole what would the neighbors think resurfaced for a brief moment and put to rest once and for all when we went out to dinner one evening. We enjoyed a very intimate evening over candlelight and not a single person took any notice to us at all.

This scenario was replayed and reinforced repeatedly regardless of where we went, what we did or who was around us. Guess the lesson for mouse was to follow her leader! One lovely evening Sir was reading to mouse a bit of poetry as she was returning from the deep space feelings after blissful play....The words expressed mouse's deepest desire and wish...

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;
---- Alexander Pope, "Eloisa to Abelard"