Rise and Shine?

I hate when I can’t sleep.  Sleeping is so delightful.  Snuggled up in a soft nest. Blanketed from the cold outer world beyond the footboard. Peaceful. Cozy.

Then there’s tonight. I fight getting up as long as possible.  That’s just admitting failure. Maybe if I lay quietly and try harder.  Maybe if I concentrate on the soft sleep sounds from my husband across the bed. Maybe if I stretch my foot over the edge of mattress. Or push the covers down to my waist. Or lay on my back. No, on my side. On my other side? One hand up, no down.  The aerobic workout has made me thirsty.  

I’m up.  I admit it.  My feet touched the floor and the next thing I know I’m washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.  Cleaning the kitchen is not delightful.  I will not fall asleep washing dishes (though the warm soapy water might work wonders if I could just fit in the sink).

As I settle in at the desk (I have never fallen asleep at the desk), a little worm makes its way out from a dark corner of my brain. It’s surprisingly loud for a little worm.  “Coffee at 6!  Nap at 8:30!  Unfinished report! No post in four days!”  

They say things are clearer in the light of day, but I’ve found true revelations in the middle of the night.  Tonight is no exception. My bad habits and To Do list conspired against me and practically threw me out of bed.

Maybe this Slice of Life will work wonders. Just enough easing of the mind to drift off to Nirv...

My Book Made Me Do It

I always seem to cry during read alouds.  The books are too good not to share, so I always let them have their way with my emotions.

Wonder is the latest. When Auggie overhears the cruel comments made by his best friend and runs off by himself to cry, I cry right there in front of the class.  My students have learned to be alert for telltale signs - a crack in my voice, a second-too-long pause in the middle of a sentence - and quickly offer a tissue.  “Do you need a moment?”, a student asks.  But I just press on, tilting and dabbing to keep the pages dry.

Who could sob over the farting nurse?  I’ve read Wonder at least three times now.  Each visit to the delivery room on Auggie’s birth day makes me laugh out loud. (And I’m truly more of a chuckler). This year I laughed  till I had tears in my eyes.  Not intentionally.  Words are powerful like that.

So yesterday when reading group was distracted by a sound on the carpet, and we saw Dee, deeply involved in her novel, eyes and mouth laughing along out loud...a tear came to my eye.  Another reader being pushed around by a book.

I Need a Drink...

A special drink.  A treat.  Usually it’s the freedom of a summer schedule that makes my taste buds sing out.  Joy!  Release! Fanta Orange! Vanilla Coke!  

But today is no harbinger of summer, or even Spring Break.  It’s Day Two of the Slice of Life.  A special event calls for that certain something.  Something to add spice to the slice.  This treat for the tongue doesn’t shout.  It murmurs...write, mull, read, contemplate...hot cocoa.  A Ghirardelli concoction that swirls among the thoughts of the day.  

At The Intersection of Computer Drive and Cellphone Way

“Turn right and proceed 3 miles.”

“Great.  Got it.”

“Your fuel level is low.  Refuel soon.”

“Great.  Got it.”

“Fasten your seat belt.”

“Oh yeah.  Great.  Got it.”

“Braking now to avoid collision.”

“Wait a minute!  I’m driving this car.  A computer is not going to control what I do.”

“Answer me now.”

“Okay.  Got it.”

“Check your messages.”

“Okay. Got it.”

“Text your mother that the traffic this afternoon is crazy.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Who’s in control here?

Which route leads to a dead end?