Early Morning Solitude

I creep out of bed in the dark of the early morning hours when the house is still quiet and I am alone with my thoughts, this is my favorite time of day. I start the coffee and boot up the computer while it's brewing. I check my e-mail, browse the blogs, and write my morning pages. The day is still; like a "trick can" of nuts sitting untouched on a shelf. I make a list of plans for my day to come and drink in the solitude, all the while knowing that soon the day will begin in earnest, the noise of the house coming to life and the daylight will surround me; just as though the lid has inched itself off and the cloth covered spring "snake" has burst it's own way out. Another day is underway, and will be, until late tonight when I carefully push that "snake" back into it's overnight resting place. Tomorrow morning's ritual will appear altered with the time change; it will seem earlier at first, it always does. But then, things will resume their familiar pattern and that all-too-eager "snake" will try to get a jump on me once again!

Life is Good!

About That Rocker

You saw this rocker in yesterday's post. It's not just any chair; no, it's a Troutman Rocker! Made for 80+ years in Troutman, NC (formerly by the family of the same name) these chairs are touted as the "world's best rocker" in their ads. They also bill themselves as "purveyors of rocking chair therapy", if you've never sat in one I can assure you that you're missing out on something special. They are wonderfully comfortable and completely relaxing. They are fixtures on front porches everywhere around here and especially at our Lutheran church camps; the Troutman family has deep-rooted Lutheran history. Our daughter first became acquainted with Troutman Rockers at camp when she was a eight years old and spent her first week away from home in the mountains of North Carolina. Even today the young campers still love to scramble for a chair on the dining hall porch before meals! Over the years, as our daughter grew, these chairs came to literally symbolize camp; for her, a happy, peaceful refuge. Throughout her college years she was a counselor and, ultimately, on Senior Staff at the same camp. She's spent many an hour rocking on a Troutman Chair. A couple of years ago she made a grade level change in her teaching career. After six years of teaching fourth grade she moved to second grade and asked for a chair from her Dad and me for her birthday, a rocking chair, specifically a Troutman Rocker. She wanted a red one for her classroom! We quickly learned that they don't come in red, but they are available unfinished. Her Dad painted one up for her, just as she'd requested. It served her and her students well during story time at school every day. And now, it's made it's way to the nursery. She looked at upholstered gliders and decided against them. She knew what she wanted, what she needed, a red rocker for her first baby's room. She didn't want just any rocking chair, either; but one that represents a lifetime of happy memories, peaceful solitude, and the love of learning. She wants to rock her baby in her Troutman Rocker.

Life is Good!

"The Cheese Stands Alone"...

Like the last character remaining after a round of "The Farmer In The Dell", that's how I felt this morning at church. My husband is traveling on business, my daughter (who had spent the weekend here) was on her way back home, my son forgot to set his clock ahead before he went to bed last evening(!) and my mother-in-law opted to stay home this morning. I had the pew to myself. It's OK, really; I am comfortable on my own, for the most part. I enjoy socialization, but I can be quite at ease in my own solitary company, too. There was a special presentation during the Sunday School hour that I thoroughly enjoyed and a guest in the pulpit, an Episcopal Priest, who brought a grand message with a new perspective which was fresh and insightful. I noticed more flowers blooming and neighbors out walking, and visiting with one another, on my drive home. I ate lunch and read, really read the Sunday paper this afternoon... every section! I fixed a cup of Lemon Blossom tea and rocked, and sipped, on the side porch while watching the goldfinches at the feeder; their almost obsolete winter plumage growing brighter by the day now. With the advent of longer afternoons and brighter evenings I'll finish up some housekeeping tasks and even have enough daylight later on to work on some machine quilting; little Hannes sitting with me in my sewing chair! Soon my husband will return home and life will go back to normal for us, I can't wait. And yet, I'm thankful for days like these too. I am grateful now and then for a quiet day, all by myself... a day to reflect, and savor!

Life is Good!