mornings – The Hermits' Rest

You asked, I’ll tell you about my mornings

Tell us about your morning routine.

Does anyone really care about this? If so, why? I’m happy to let all of you go about your mornings in peace and confidentiality. But, the Blog Prompter asked…

Leave now or be intrigued at the tedium.

I awaken most mornings at the civil hour of 7:15 am, which is possible because I work on the Pacific Coast but live in Texas, and have no commute.

Upon popping out of bed in an annoyingly non-grumpy manner, I pet some number of dogs, pee, then head to the closet and put on appropriate clothing for the day, usually jeans and some bird t-shirt.

In the bathroom I brush and floss my teeth (hoping to avoid future bridgework). I got a Waterpick today, so that will be added to the endless morning duties. Next, I take morning medications and supplements. It’s not that much.

Excitement builds as I wash my face with rose-scented micellar water, smooth on my serum, and apply my lotion with sunscreen over that. The only makeup I do is to pencil in credible eyebrows. Gray, to match my hair.

I brush my hair and figure some way of getting it out of my eyes, then comes the fun part. I decide what jewelry goes with the day’s outfit. Usually no one sees it but the family, but it’s fun for me.

Latest acquisition, pendant by Art Tafoya (Diné) — it has a snake! I won’t wear this too often since it’s pretty big.

Finally I go downstairs and start a cup of coffee, which is Folger’s, because it’s mild. While the coffee makes, I take the birding phone outside to catch the morning birds. I then take the coffee out on the screened porch and relax with Lee for a while. We catch up on news, Facebook, apps, etc. This is a great way to start the day!

The only photo I took today is this lovely rabid wolf spider.

On workdays, I head to my office, and on other days I’ll go for a walk or sit in my bird hut and watch birds, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, rabbits, and cattle. It’s new calf season, which is great.

Wow, that was a lot of detail. I did all those things today! Later in the afternoon Kathleen and I went to Temple (closest town with shopping centers) to look for a very specific outfit she needs to wear next week. We also had fun at Western store finding a couple of nice outfits that will fit her current size. I love Western stores.

We had dinner at Olive Garden, which was quite pleasant and laughed and talked about all the overwhelming “stuff” going on in our world right now. I think that helped our moods.

Morning Ritual Snooze Fest

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

Whoo-ee! What a boring question. I know that will attract readers galore. Since I did an April Fool thing on Facebook today (I said I’d given up blogging), I’ll just stick to the snooze-worthy facts.

Maybe our first winecup Mallu’s of the year will be more enticing. Look at all that pollen.

What do I do when I wake up? What most people do, I assume. First I find my glasses, phone and watch. Then. I relieve my poor bladder. Next, in an exciting twist, I turn on the coffeemaker, which Lee usually sets up the previous evening. I make sure to completely shut the lid, which he doesn’t do. That’s my contribution.

Also, the first Engleman Daisy of the year blossomed.

Then, if needed, I shower. I shower every 2-3 days so my hair doesn’t dry out. I use things that smell like roses: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel. I like roses. In summer I swim daily.

Next on the agenda is tooth brushing with the annoying electric toothbrush I hate, and flossing. Yes, I floss. If I didn’t wash my face in the shower, that’s next. I use rosewater mycellar water, however that’s spelled.

Off to the closet I go, where I determine which cutesy undies and bralette from my friends at Me Undies to wear, and which jeans, t-shirt, coordinating socks, and shoes (probably Skechers) to wear. If I wear jewelry I’ll choose that as well as glasses of the day.

Now come exciting anti-anxiety meds, turmeric, and probiotics. On Saturday I also get Vitamin D. What a rush!

Hmm, I then apply serum and facial moisturizer. If I’m going somewhere I put on foundation to cover my red face. It doesn’t cover the wrinkles, so I’m only slightly vain.

I got ducks that look like my horses. It’s done Jeep owner thing.

That covers the first 30-45 minutes. It’s followed by pouring coffee and going downstairs, where I fire up the computer, write in my bullet journal, check the Facebook, and start to work.

After an hour or two I take a walk to feed chickens, listen to birds, and check on horses, then I eat something. But that’s later.

Is anyone awake? I’m not.

Today was also just fine. The horses had their farrier time, and everyone was quite well behaved. No horse complaints.

Kathleen escaped being attacked by scorpions and was able to make dinner, so I had time to goof off and chat with the menfolk in the evening. Ah, as my high school buddy Jeff N. pointed out, every day’s a good day when you get to be this age.

Waking up and doing your routine may be boring, but yay, you’re alive!

Day or Night, It’s All Right

Are you more of a night or morning person?

Let’s answer this prompt. It’s harmless. I used to prefer nights, back when I did a lot of music stuff and going out with friends. I think I liked the activities, like choir practice and rehearsals more than the fact that it was night.

This is here just because I thought it was pretty.

Now that I mostly stay home, I’ve come to enjoy my morning routine out in the fields and woods. It’s grounding and gets my mind ready to get stuff done. I do enjoy having morning rituals like coffee and filling out my bullet journal for the day, too.

I often meditate while looking at lichen and bark.

I have evening rituals, too, like blogging and reading before I go to sleep. I guess I like to ease into the day and ease back out.

Magazine patiently waiting for me to finish blogging

I enjoyed the distraction of a lesson on Apache this afternoon. I wanted to build on last weekend, and it worked. We are doing well together, and I’m impressed with his eagerness to learn. I’m a lot more calm, too. He’s feeling better.

Next lesson will be for Drew, but it’s been postponed for family stuff. That gives me lots of time to work with them both at home, though. Drew and I have lots to practice, too! He is still weird about his head but otherwise tons of fun.

Daily Bird

I think the great blue herons on the ranch will be upset (or more upset) with me if I don’t feature them, so today’s the day.

At least today I didn’t scare one who was busily cleaning out the overflow pond like I’d done for two days. I just watched them flying and posing at water’s edge.

My favorite thing about these large birds is their croak. They yell when disturbed and made to fly off. Often they don’t vocalize enough for the Merlin app to catch them, but it did this week. It’s a great creaky sound.

I’m glad we have water to attract these and the other herons/egrets here. They have so many postures and look so elegant when they fly. And they’re so big! It’s a nice contrast with all the tiny woodland birds.