The Wee Hours

It is Garbage Day.

And it is early in the morning. I like to call them the wee hours.

It is quiet and peaceful this morning in my neighborhood except for the trucks.

BEEPbeepBEEP .... their sound is difficult to miss. I open up the blinds and peer out. I see a lady in her robe walk out to the walk, bend over and pick up the morning paper.

She would be so surprised to know that I am awake.

I know without a doubt I have surprised Mollie, my adorable cat. She thought I got up to use the bathroom, so she waited on my bed for me to return.

"Surprise!" I told her as I hurried down the hall toward the kitchen.

I woke up 2-1/5 hours earlier than usual because instead of working overtime after work, I will work overtime before work. I have a friend visiting me. And we have dinner plans tonight. I worked overtime a couple of nights ago and we missed our evening plans on account of it. I feel happy for my quick-thinking solution for this evening.

I feel giddy and alert. My mind thinks I'm going on vacation. My eyes keep looking for my suitcase. Surely I am going somewhere really fun because why else would I be awake when the moon is still up?

"Surprise!" I tell myself. "You're going to work!"

It seems the earlier one wakes up, the less there is be distracted by. So I got ready in record-speed. I watered my potted plants. I watered the boxwoods. I threw out the garbage. I chatted with my nextdoor neighbor taking her dog out for a walk.

"Shawn! What are you doing awake so early?!"
"I'm going to work extra early and putting in my overtime in reverse!"

She nods. I don't think she understood.

It is peaceful. I love the mornings. Just like I love tidy, uncluttered homes. But I know only too well it's just like keeping a clean, uncluttered home. I will never be natural at it.

I love this cute animation. It's called The Ok Book. I wish I had written and animated this.