Sunday 19 December 2010

Looking up at the stars - Z is a guttersnipe

If you don't have to go anywhere, this weather is really restful - obviously, if you do, it's very worrying and stressful, whether you have the journey from hell or whether you cancel.  I'm one of the fortunate ones.  There's been nothing that was any problem to cancel and I had enough food in.  Let's face it, we could eat for a month, although we'd end up with interesting unlabelled items that had been in the bottom of the freezer for a couple of years.

I was asked to choose carols for the service this morning, and did so carefully.  I used to do it regularly but am out of the way of it, so it takes a while.  Although, Christmas carols, there's a limit to how many are appropriate to go for at this stage of Advent.  I couldn't resist putting in my favourite, "It came upon the midnight clear" with its gloomy yet hopeful lyrics and the uplifting word "glorious" in the second line, and "See amid the winter's snow" because of the weather.

We got up thoroughly late this morning.  The Sage, unusually, has been sleeping in.  I've been awake long before him, but if I get up it disturbs him so, if I've nothing I have to do, I lie there reading and playing games.  Eventually of course, he wakes up, wraps an arm round me and then goes back to sleep - and so do I.  So it was quite late when we were dressed and downstairs.  This was fine.  It was Sunday, after all.

There's a certain degree of pride in those who get up early, I've always noticed.  Also in ones who go to bed late.  Few do both.  My father did.  He never stayed in bed once he woke up, but got up and did - well, I don't know, he was always up a long time before me.  But he never went to bed before midnight either.  I like early mornings in theory, but the evenings appeal too much.  I'm at my most cheerful and lively at night.  If I went to bed at 10, I'd miss that.  It's when I'm just getting chatty and interested in things.  But people who love to see the dawn think that this is a decadent idea, compared to their healthy lifestyles.  This may be true, it equally may not - but in any case, I have a feeling that the moral high ground may not be as much fun as the immoral flatlands.

I bought several bars of particularly nice chocolate the other day, meaning to share it among my children.  I'm having great difficulty in resolving to give it away.  I wish I'd bought double quantities.  I look at the descriptions and whimper with desire.  I'll resist, of course, I didn't buy them for me.  Dammit.

13 comments:

Dave said...

I'm at my most cheerful and lively in the mornings - well before I have to meet any people. The cheerfulness has usually all gone by then.

Eddie 2-Sox said...

I do love the way that the church allows itself to use normal peoples' Christmas songs in their Christmas programme.

You know, "carols".


Even when I was still at school I wondered why we had to traipse to St Denys' for the yearly sing-song.



God bless them crazy christians! Even if they do steal songs from us normal folk.

Z said...

It's more fun being cheerful with people though, for everyone. I've always found you delightful company, Dave. Though, come to that, I've only ever met you during the day. So you've never seen me at my best, darling.

Anonymous said...

I avoid the damndarkmorning. To bed is usually between two and three.
I admire the strength of your will in respect of chocolate. Really. I am too weak for such a temptation.

Z said...

The devil has the best tunes though, Simon. Though I love to think of you singing carols while leaving out all religious references. In Silent Night, for example, you're scuppered on the third word. You can do quite a lot of In the Bleak Midwinter, though.

Z said...

Every time I answer a comment, I find another! Hello, Mago.

I have five bars of particularly lovely chocolate in front of me. I might keep one of them, but I still won't open it before Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Heavens ... not just a tiny bit? Nobody will notice ... :)

Z said...

You're a rascal, Mago. Not even a lick. Mind you, if the recipient opened a bar and offered a piece...

Gledwood said...

I used to be a night owl, but I try and get up really ultra early when I can. I've been sleeping round the clock because I'm so exhausted. I went crazy the other week because I gave up drugs, that's why I've not been by. I hope all's OK with you, take care

;->...

Pat said...

I suppose I'm now one of the few: up early bed late. I have the bags to prove it.

Anonymous said...

:))

Z said...

HI Gledwood, I have been keeping up with your blog, and worrying about you, love. Your mum will be really glad you're off heroin - good for you x

Pat, love, you look younger than I do! Actually, if I can organise my life to get into the way of an afternoon nap, I can burn the candle at both ends. But I am out of the napping habit at present.

luckyzmom said...

I'm still trying to adjust to a new schedule.