At the Writing Studio and Bait Shop waking up in the middle of the night is routine. I wander into the bathroom, wander back, pat the dogs, and climb back into bed. Then I go back to sleep.
Not this morning. This morning sleep went missing. When that happens a person can lie there and think too many thoughts. A person can turn on the lamp and read in bed. Or a person can just say oh the heck with it and get up.
Have a cup of coffee. Maybe two cups. Check email. Make reminders to self. Find some interesting pictures to show you. Here’s one Babs took on March 23.
Michigan Picture 12, Babs Young 2016
I like that picture. Great old shed, beautiful old tree, blue sky—what’s not to like? I’ll tell you what’s not to like. Snow. There is snow in that picture. I am tired of snow. I had to shovel that very snow off my 22 steps when I got back home Sunday night. (Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I had been visiting Rob the Firefighter and the Lady Alicia in Detroit, where the grass is already nice and green.) The only thing green Around Here right now is the moss.
Have a little breakfast. Look outside. It’s beginning to grow light. Oh look, there’s a fresh dusting of snow on the deck. Fine. You know what I’m going to do today? After I sweep the snow off the steps? I’m going to remove some hornet nests from under the deck. I’m going to order another tank of propane. I’m going to do laundry and clean house. When a day is determined to go to perdition I say we should stuff all the aggravation into it that we can find.
I want to leave you on a more cheerful note. Try the story Linda (aka Shoreacres) wrote about a grackle, some coots, and an alligator. I believe you will enjoy Mr Grumpy gets his bath. I certainly did, and I don’t like alligators any better than you do.
Torch Lake Views 
Martha J
April 2, 2016
One day, after rising early myself and having enough coffee, I made a list of things to accomplish on just such mornings you describe. The problem is finding the list when I need it! My other trick for mornings (or nights) I can’t sleep is to mentally tick off my gratitude list. There is always something to be thankful for and sometimes it is even more sleep. I did laugh at Linda’s story and now I think I need a bath.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
I have to-do lists like that all over the place. I should make a bonfire of them. I like the idea of the gratitude list, and yes, sometimes it includes more sleep! And today it includes that the snow is at least fluffy snow and can be swept rather than shoveled. Miss Sadie and the Cowboy are prepared to be grateful for a good walk if I will just get my boots and coat on and go! I’m glad you liked Linda’s story.
Martha
April 2, 2016
I woke to snow, also. Not enough to shovel, tho. Just enough to remind me that living in a snowy land makes time way too precious. Time is always fragile, but time in cold winter lands is desperately precious.
I started my seasonal work schedule about a month later this year and that caused me unusual stomach discomfort…not a good thing. My horrible winter job at a bakery left me sleepless, taking Benadryl just to get things off my mind. None of this is good for the mind or body.
I know you know how precious life is. May a spring flower muscle its way into the light just for you. Soon.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
And another Martha heard from! Sleep is useful, knitting up the raveled sleeve and all that. I am sorry you had a rough winter. I hope some spring flowers arrive Over There soon, too. I keep telling myself that this snow will melt, it will get a little warmer out there, and one day we’ll see Dutchmen’s Breeches on the drumlins. Now if I can just find that pair of socks . . .
Martha
April 2, 2016
We do have spring flowers up now. Some tulips just budding, a few open. Daffodils cautiously thinking about it. Today it’s blizzard time. Straight horizontal blizzard. Warming enough to take away the early AM accumulation. Pretty in a Springtime in the Mountains type of way. I can pretend. Today I can use the rest.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
We are having a horizontal blizzard, too – not fresh snow, just snow getting blown off ridges and roofs by a really bad-tempered north wind. The next few days promise to be perfect for staying inside. Good. My whole filing system is out of control. I will wrassle it to a draw.
dawnkinster
April 2, 2016
You make me smile. We had snow this morning. Just enough to let us know we are not in control of anything. Let alone snow. Katie did not want to walk on it. So we didn’t. She usually wins like that. It’s gone now. Almost like it wasn’t there at all. But Katie and I know better. Hope you sleep well tonight!
Gerry
April 2, 2016
The Duo seem to like fluffy snow. They will definitely go for a walk, assuming I can find my socks. I thought we were going to have just last night’s dusting, but nooo . . . it is snowing out there right now. Nice fluffy stuff though. I can deal with that. If I can find my socks.
P.j. grath
April 2, 2016
Waking, lying awake, getting up in the dark, having coffee — all too familiar. I’m afraid to look at the alligators but love the moss.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
Ah well. We adapt. I’m glad you love the moss. I thought it was rather elegant. There’s only one alligator, and he’s not the grumpy one. Not to fear.
WOL
April 2, 2016
I like alligators just the way they are… which is someplace else. Sorry about the snow. It was durn cold and rained all day yesterday. Naturally I had put off all my weekly tasks until the last minute and had to get out in it. Like running errands and grocery shopping.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
It is very annoying to be rained or snowed on at such times. Not as annoying as alligators in the shrubbery, but darned near. I hope you brought home excellent treats.
shoreacres
April 2, 2016
Well, aren’t you kind, to mention Mr. Grumpy. Truth to tell, it never occurred to me that anyone would find the gator…. ummmm…. less than desireable. You know what creeps me out? Millipedes. We have some here in Texas I won’t even describe, because they’re so ghastly.
I’m sitting here looking at the sunshine, and my own to-do list. I’ve ticked off laundry and the farmers’ market, and emptying the dishwasher. I may have to put on some hiking boots and head off to somewhere. Heaven knows I could spend the whole day piddling inside, but if I’m going to enjoy this stretch of good weather doing something other than varnishing, I’d best get at it. Work deadlines are looming, and I can’t count on good weather all month.
I do like both photos, very much. I may have mentioned that this has been my winter for enjoying blue-brown-gray combinations, and who doesn’t like algae and moss. I didn’t know until last month that the singular of algae is alga. I thought “alga” was a typo, at first. Not so.
Happy outdoorsing!
Gerry
April 2, 2016
Failing to mention Mr. Grumpy would have been unconscionable. Mr. Tootlepedal has a Mr. Grumpy too – his is a heron – and I have a soft spot for grumpiness.
I’m not sure I have ever seen a singular alga. It – they – seem to arrive in great colonies, somewhat like my ancestors landing in North America.
tootlepedal
April 2, 2016
Thank you for the link. It was nice to see another incarnation of Mr Grumpy.
Gerry
April 2, 2016
Imagine my astonishment to see Mr. Grumpy on my blogroll from Texas. Both incarnations are a lot of fun to watch. Glad you enjoyed this one.