The first morning
of 2020 did not
look like these photographs, unfortunately. It dawned overcast and
chilly.
These pictures are from a few days ago, on a weekend morning. (And these
are actually the morning's glow in the north and west, respectively,
reflecting the sun's rise in the east.)
Even so, the new year has begun. I
find that my morning routine has changed from this time in 2019. I formerly
woke up on my days off at 5.30, fed the beasts, gave Tucker his insulin
injection and, after cleaning the litter-boxes and eating my own breakfast,
returned to bed. Now, I stay up.
I find that if I get all the chores
that need doing out of the way early, I can relax more later on. I may not have
any more time in which to do it, but it feels better. I usually have a nap
after my chores have been completed, which restores some of my consciousness,
if not my energy.
Perhaps this is part of growing
older. I had noticed as a boy that old people (ie. in their thirties and
forties) rose early; very old people (ie. in their fifties and sixties) rose
even early, and ancients (ie. too old to count that high) woke up practically
the night before. Now, I am doing it. I am certainly no more alert at dawn than
I am later; I always seem to be tired. But I can have my nap without worrying
about having to do too much later. As well, if I need to go out, there are
fewer people about and many shops are open early anyway. When the spring and
summer come, bicycle rides when the day is very young are always enjoyable.
So, while the first day of the year
was not exactly sunny and cheery, I was awake, bright and eager and ready for
all challenges. Well, bright and eager. All right, I was awake. Sort of.
Your day sounds like mine, John, (including the afternoon nap), so I assume we're about the same age. I get up early, do my chores, and by 3PM everything is done and I can relax. But as for getting older...I starting counting backwards years ago, so I figure right now, I'm about 18. :-) Happy and healthy New Year, John!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny; as I grow older, I've been getting up earlier and earlier as well. Nowadays, I'm up at 5 am, or even a bit after 4. Not because I have to for any reason; I just want to get the day started. Besides, I like seeing the sunrise.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 1 is pretty nice around here. Not nearly as cold as it has been, and we finally get some sun!
Happy New Year to you all!
ReplyDeleteI wish I wouldn't always wake up in the wee hours of the morning. :-P
I love naps, but didn't manage one this break, though not for lack of trying!
All the very best to you and your fur family for 2020.
I think you, I and several more share this phenom! :-) I get up early...always have really, but I like to use the morning to get things done that will ultimately have to be done anyway. One of those "if I don't do it, no one will" type of things. I just deleted the rest of the blog I found myself writing here! My gosh..given my head, I will run off at the keyboard every time! Caught myself!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your kitties a happy and healthy 2020!
ReplyDeleteYes, some days awake is more that half the battle. Happy New Year from all of us!!!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with an early wake up especially in the winter. It is hard to maintain a routine with constant shift changes, and as I get older I get more and more tired.
ReplyDeleteThe shifts would kill me, I think. I don't envy you at all.
DeleteHappy New Year and 2020 to you!
ReplyDeleteI have never been a morning person, but now am even less so. I struggle to sleep and rarely nod off before 5.30-6am. I wish I could sleep through the night but the last few years I am grateful if I get 2 1/2 hours sleep. I usually manage a nap in the afternoon but I know it is not enough.
How I envy Ivor who within 5 minutes of hitting the pillow is sound asleep.
My life is much the same, fall out of bed
ReplyDeleteat about six, downstairs for my first lemon
tea, popping into the bathroom on the way,
back to bed for half hour, getting depressed
watching the news..! HeHe! :(
I fully retired over a year ago, but still
active, not ready to put my feet up, just
yet..and still mentally active..though some
people will tell you l more mental..Bless!
And.. l still love a good laugh..
Oh! And Blogs with pussy~cats..lots of
pussy~cats..Bless'em..!
I thought once I retired I'd be able to sleep in, but not so. Besides the cats (Sasha mostly) letting me know it is time to be fed at o'dark early, I'm still awake most morning by 6:30 and often earlier. But, like you, I don't mind early mornings as I can get things done. I rarely nap, but I am in my bed by 9:30 p.m. most evenings even if it's just to read or watch a bit of television.
ReplyDeleteThe sunrise photos are lovely.
Yep, 5:30 am is the call here. I can't just lie in bed and think of the
ReplyDeletethings that need doing when I can just get up and do them. In my 60's
and yes, as I got older I got up earlier. Of course now, Precious wouldn't know what to do if I changed time.
I have found that retirement has given me the option to sleep a bit later and I now get up at 7. That is the way to go if you can plan your days without work to interfere.
ReplyDelete