Morning Flights

I am a morning person. Or maybe not and its just the coffee.

Each morning before I even turn on lights I grope around for my bathrobe and shuffle into the kitchen to find the 'doggie treat jar', grab two and shuffle back to the front door where inevitably I have to step over two little dogs, and sometimes the cat, waiting for me to open it and set them free. Each morning I have to step over these critters and make my way to the front of the line to get to the door. "Um, guys, I'M the one who opens the door - gotta let me through!"

Nikko bolts in a flash, with wings she flys over the steps. Because my humor runs to the 'twisted' side of things, I find it funny when there is a patch of ice at the bottom of the stairs. Kitty decends the stairs with all the majesty of a prince, and with his belly swaying, marches to the back of the garage. Rocko sits on the stoop with me, waiting for me to break the treats and toss them in the back yard so he can go 'hunting'. When he hears "Go do 'good boy'!" he trips down the stairs as quickly as he can with his little legs and compromised vision caused by too much hair in his face. Then it's time to light my first cigarette, and as I smoke, the gears in my mind start to turn. This is my favorite time of the day.

Every morning this is how I start my day, no matter what is on the drawing board for the rest of it. Sometimes my mind takes me to dark places. Because my mind is relatively a clean slate at this time, it is usually not too difficult to find my way out. On those rare occasions I can't seem to shake the grip of anxiety, frustration or disappointment, I am angry because I feel robbed of my morning gift. Sometimes I find I'm thinking of something that I need to do that day. Mostly I'm surprised where my mind ends up, which I enjoy. Fun little thoughts, seeds of wonder, epiphanies, observations...Its sort of finding a road you've never been on and taking a trip down this road to find out what awaits to find. This is when I come back in the house (with critters in tow), find Paul and tell him, "Hey, I have an idea".

This morning my mind brought me this question, "how does asprin work to reduce a fever?" I know how it blocks the pain messages in our brain, but reduce fever?? how?? and "I wonder if I could just drive to Florida today, and not tell anyone until I'm halfway there, what is the downside?" (I may still just get ready for work as usual and drive to Florida instead. Am half heartedly trying to come up with a reason not to).

On another level, I am often entertained by where I find myself at this time. Not only do I have a cool thought to explore, but I enjoy the surprise of finding it. Sort of like Christmas morning, when it was still magical, and I tip toed down the stairs in the dark to find a mound of presents under the tree that weren't there when I went to bed. THAT part was as wonderful as actually opening the gifts.

The rest of the day is most often predictable. Comfortable and familiar. I generally know who I'm going to see, talk to, what I need to do, what I am going to eat, where I'm going to go, what I will find there. I'm back in the box, back on the leash. And that is okay, because before the day began, I was free. And before it begins tomorrow, I'll be free again.

By the way, Mrs. Brady (Florence Henderson) is 74 today. Good Grief.

Peace