An early night
We go to
bed too late. Every day we promise ourselves that we will have an early
night go to bed at a reasonable hour, that is, before 10.00 pm. Every
night, I crawl into bed, if I can find a space between the animals, ‘far too
late’ I say, complainingly.
We even have an alarm on our watches, each of us, that tells us we should be preparing for bed. Every night we ignore it. There’s always another episode of whichever riveting programme we’re watching, though I do wonder if we should really be watching yet more in-depth war documentaries just before retiring for the night.
Sometimes, we decide we should watch something less horrific to sweeten the mind after an evening of such viewing. So, we watch ‘Frasier’, or some other comedy and again, one episode leads to another.
When I went upstairs a few nights ago, earlier than usual, Herschel was already there – he likes to go to bed early. Gilbert came up with me while Roxy and Jellicoe stayed downstairs with Barry. He likes to make sure the fire will stay alight through the night so that it’s warm downstairs in the morning. This involves a bit of riddling, (not the joking sort) and another shovelful of coal.
Actually, we use anthracite and thereby hangs a tale. The UK has enough anthracite for its needs but to prove our green credentials we are no longer mining it. Instead, we are importing it from Australia. That makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
Anyway, Barry started his evening ritual of feeding the fire but as he opened the door the inner ceramic pane which looks like glass but isn’t, slipped down. One of the screws had worked loose. He was familiar with the composition of the stove, having recently replaced various bits – baffle, rope door seal - so he donned his heavy gloves and set to work to screw the window back in place. The fire was hot, but glowing rather than blazing. Nonetheless, it was uncomfortable work.
I was blissfully unaware of his trials and tribulations until he appeared much later and told me all about it. I would have left it until the morning, probably, but Barry does not procrastinate. It’s a good thing one of us doesn’t.
It is a very good thing that he does not procrastinate Janice ... as my husband would do!!! 😉😉
ReplyDeleteI find (as I get older) I need to go to bed much earlier but I like to read in bed first.
I always read in bed. The trouble is that it sometimes keeps me awake!
DeleteIt makes no sense at all since we here in Australia are being told there isn't enough coal for our needs, while they send tons of it to other countries! and for the little we use, our utilities bills are sky high. Astronomic even.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm watching episodes of anything, I limit myself to three episodes per night and get to bed by 10.30.
What is it with governments that export things that are in short supply at home? It's crackers.
DeleteI cannot remember what having an early night used to mean. For years now, especially since retirement from the work force, I have got into bed by 11.30 PM, intending to sleep. It doesn't happen :(
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI wonder how we ever found time to go to work . . .
DeleteImporting anything from Australia is an excellent idea. It helps our economy no end. Maybe you can start importing our butter again now that you have left the EU. No, actually don't. We may not have enough for own consumption and the price will skyrocket, as it has with many things.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of everything is going up all the time. It was such a brilliant idea to leave the EU!
DeleteGood for Barry!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could stay awake longer but by nine I am fighting to stay awake so go up and I'm right out of it by half past nine.
xx
My middle daughter and daughter-in-law go to bed early and are up at 5.30 every morning. Early morning is the best time of the day. x x x
DeleteIt's been a while since I heard of anyone using anthracite - a reminder of my childhood. You have me wondering how much is used for domestic heating these days.
ReplyDeleteCheers , Gail (who has absolutely no problem turning in early!)
It's slower to get going but burns longer and brighter and cleaner than house coal.
DeleteEvery winter, and this one included, l go off
ReplyDeleteto bed at eight...l switch everything off, though
l never use heating, only when my daughter and
hubby visit..l can well live without it...It's the
Sicilian blood you see...! HeHe! :).
I sit up in bed and watch TV...for a couple of hours,
usually summat good on BBC4, then switch onto
the BBC News channel, and the telly stays on till
morning...usually pop into the bathroom, couple
times, just to do the 'man' thing, then that's that.
And no more pussy~cats to fuss over now, though
l do miss them...! :(.
And to~day is the 'Day of the Dead'...Oh! Dear!
All Saints Day....it's a Christian solemnity celebrated
in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether they
are known or unknown....Let us prey...Oh! Sorry! Pray...!
❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️
It's true, then - Sicilians are hot-blooded! I expect you've watched Montalbano - we have, several times. Great series.
DeleteI rest my case....! :).
DeleteMontalbano...Yes! Of course..But alas there the
series has ended...Following the death of Andrea
Camilleri, writer of the Montalbano stories, and of
director, Alberto Sironi, the idea of not going further
with new episodes has become more and more less
likely...Shame..! :(.
Did you watch the Young Montalbano - can't remember what it was called? That was very good, too.
DeleteOh! Yes! And was called 'Young Montalbano'
DeleteSalvo Montalbano, an investigator, who tries
to solve criminal cases with his exceptional
intellect...
Final episode was in Oct 2015...Lot more of
the Sicilian dialect was in that series..!
I'll never get past waking at 4:30 and getting up at 5:15. And it is not because of Precious. She is gracious and does not speak or leap up to wake me. So it is early to bed. Your stove would be wonderful heat, but we have had the luxury of gas heat for 20 years. We used wood before and that is so much work and dirt and oh yes, buggy. I'd love some fur heat but rarely get it, lol.
ReplyDeleteIt's a choice for us. We rarely use our gas heating but can if necessary.
ReplyDeleteI need lots of sleep, which doesn't automatically mean I'm having early nights :-) I'm glad Barry doesn't procrastinate. I'm afraid Jos does and I'm no stranger to it either ... xxx
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that tiredness is cumulative and then we fall prey to illness. x x x
DeleteI had to smile while reading about your early night. My husband and I are much the same. Getting to bed by 11 pm is about as early as it gets for us. I guess at this point it's safe to say we will most likely always be night owls.
ReplyDeleteThe strange thing is that although I've always been a night owl, Barry is temperamentally and physically a lark.
DeleteNot a good job to do at that time of night. At least you were cosy in the. Morning B x
ReplyDeleteAt least, being unaware, I didn't feel obliged to offer my 'help'. ;-) Janice x x x
DeleteThat's like a post-office the way you go to bed. Punctual ! With us it was different usually Rick went first around 10 together with Arthur, he preferred to read while I finished the movie and went to bed with Pookie. Rosie preferred to enjoy nightlife outside. Now of course she sleeps against my belly but before she makes awful noises. Apparently old cats do that !
ReplyDeleteOur cats, having oriental blood, have always made a lot of noise!
ReplyDeleteWe are also quite often night owls when we should really be turning in for the night instead.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is also a 'do the job today' person. I'm not quite on the same track but at least the jobs get done :-)