“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
The mornings are lovely this time of year. The sun seems brighter and sharper after the darkness of winter, the air is clear and fragrant and birds are plentiful and loud. I was on the deck while waiting for my coffee. I stood there looking over the yard and watching Gracie. Every day seems just a bit warmer than the day before. I know it’s not always true, but I think it so.
On Saturday mornings, the neighborhood stirs earlier now. Lawn mowers hum and sometimes knock. My neighbors talk to one another, and I can hear them from down the street. Bob’s truck goes by, and I recognize its sound. He’s off to do lawns. My next door neighbor leaves early. Sometimes I hear him talking to one of his workers in Portuguese before they load up the trucks and go. He’s a landscaper who also takes care of my yard. The day starts early when the weather is warm and the grass is growing.
The night are loud. The chorus of peepers from the pond down the end of the street serenade us. If I were a kid again, I’d be there, at that pond, lying on my stomach close to the water to watch the tadpoles transform into frogs.
I have routines. When I first wake up, I figure out the day of the week and whether or not I have any obligations or social events. I stretch a bit then get up, say good morning to Gracie, Fern and Maddie, who are milling around, go downstairs and start the coffee. While I’m waiting for the coffee, I go outside and check out the morning. In a bit, I go back inside, grab a cup of coffee and read the Boston Globe. My second cup accompanies the Cape Cod Times. Gracie naps during my paper time. I write Coffee next then make my bed and get dressed. The rest of the day just happens.
When people ask me what I’m doing during my retirement, I never give them a play by play. I figure they’d be bored with the little pieces of my day. I, however, love all these morning routines. They give each day a bit of symmetry.
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
May 22, 2010 at 3:44 pm
I met a retired Admiral and his wife today who are shopping for condo with marina to have their 60 foot Sunseeker in the backyard. They plan to travel the world, maybe not return to the condo for five years. They will have their daughter who lives here manage it and keep it clean, prepare it if a hurricane hits. That’s what I want to do in retirement. Which means I gotta hit the Lottery!
May 22, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Z&Me,
I always feel as if I should be living a life of pure luxury and leisure. The lottery is always my answer too but I just don’t ever buy a ticket.
May 22, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Regarding the weather, a friend of mine declared that this past Thursday was officially the first day of summer because he said so. No more lousy weather.
I, too, am retired and have no structure to my day beyond the morning rituals of breakfast, dog-walking and computer catch-up followed by whatever I feel like doing that day. One sibling is envious and can’t wait to retire. The other sibling is slightly disapproving that I’m not looking for another job because I’m too young to be home doing nothing. No, I’m not. I’m just the right age.
May 22, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Caryn,
I’m with your friend!
You and I live a similar life. When I retired, my mother told me I was too young. I also told her I was the right age. It has been wonderful. Like you, the day is mine to do whatever or to do nothing.
May 23, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Kat,
I spend $30 bucks a week on lottery tickets down here. That’s my budget for the big money. So far I have to spend $6800 in winnings last year before I start gambling with my own money. But alas, not big hit on the million dollar pots.
May 24, 2010 at 9:04 am
Z&Me,
I just can’t convince myself to spend money on something so iffy.