Friday, September 12, 2008

Morning again in America

Does anyone ever write about the simple building blocks of life?
Every morning I have a cup of coffee.
I get up and let the dogs out. I reach for the coffee maker, open the cabinet and take out grinder and beans. I smash beans at high speed before pouring them in the gold filter. Then, I add water to the reservoir and wait.
I have a glass of water.
Sometimes I wash the few dishes in the sink.
Sometimes I do a load of laundry.
Then, I take my cup of coffee and I go outside and sit. I pet the dogs. Sometimes, it's cool enough to sit on the spa. Sometimes, it's too hot and I sit in front of the computer. Every once in a while, I turn on the Weather Channel.
Then, I go to the bathroom, get in the shower, wash my hair, pick out my clothes, dress, blow dry my hair and make my bed.
I gather the things I need for the day and set them by the door. I feed the dogs.
And then I get in my car and turn up the A/C before backing out and turning toward work.
It's nearly the same every day. And I never shower before coffee. It just doesn't work. And I never go to the bathroom after showering. So that's just the routine. And it's a tiny small part of what happens in the universe every day... yet is it a major part of my life.

It turns out I was thinking about this because I have a new roommate moving in and she works 10-7. So I won't have to juggle the shower situation with her, but on the other hand, I cannot be loud when I go about my morning routine as she'll still be sleeping.
This would also be a major adjustment if I decided ever to live with a lover again... which I have sworn off for all times, but still encounter in conversation almost weekly.
Mark for instance, always has his coffee brewed before he goes to bed and he puts it in a thermos and drinks it from bed before he gets up. But I need cream and sugar.
Mike always showered immediately upon getting out of bed, and then had coffee when he got to work. Or on the way. I cannot function like that, either.
So when they say love is not enough... well, they mean it. You have to be flexible enough to deal with routines, too.
I think I'll just stick to my dogs.

ps. Name the origins of my title?

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