What is this: 12:18, 12:36, 12:55? Is it some strange conglomeration of biblical verses?
What if I add this:
12:18 click, 12:36, click, 12:55 click? Does it seem familiar now?
No? All right, one more clue and now you’ll get it, I’m certain: 12:18 AM, click, 12:36 AM, click, 12:55 AM, click.
Oh, yes! It’s the sight and sound of time rolling by as I sneak a peek from nearly closed eyelids over and over again to determine just how long I’ve been waiting to fall asleep. Actually, I’ve just told you two lies. The first lie is that I’ve been waiting to fall asleep. I actually do fall asleep almost the moment my head hits the pillow. I’ve always been blessed with that ability, probably because I am a very early riser combined with packing as much activity as I possibly can into every day. By the time I settle into my downy pillow, satisfied I’ve accomplished a full day of work, I am out like a light in seconds.
That’s actually unfortunate, because in bed is traditionally where I’ve read for nearly all my life. Remember the delicious feeling of tenting the covers over your head and reading by flashlight? You knew you were supposed to be asleep and would undoubtedly get in trouble if someone discovered you, but honestly, that only added to the delight!
I’ve always loved to read and nearly every year of grade school, I’d hurry home with my new textbooks, dump the Math and Social Studies books on the table, grab the Reading book and devour it from cover to cover in a day or two. That made a pretty boring year during Reading class, as I waited endlessly for my fellow classmates to struggle through the text, mispronouncing words, and stammering through their recitation. I honestly didn’t realize I was being an imperious twit as I huffed my impatience with sighs of exasperation.
Now, whether due to my age or the physical exhaustion of days spent in the hot sun, pulling weeds, dragging cans of water to my withering garden, mowing and edging and maintaining numerous properties for neighbors less healthy than I or vacant properties that cry for attention, I’m just too tired to read when I go to bed.
I try to read! I’ve been struggling with Stephen King’s 11/22/63 since December. I love Stephen King’s work. I’ve read every book he’s written as soon as it hit the bookstores beginning with Carrie in 1974. Mr. King defines the word prolific. His characters are rich in detail and memorable. In 1974, his first story was shocking and horror was the genre best spent under the tented cover!
This book, 11/22/63, is not horror unless you consider the effect of the weight of 859 pages bonking you in the nose after your grip has slackened while drifting off to be terrifying. So, now you see, I do fall asleep quickly, but once awakened, it takes a while to resume that restful state.
It’s unfortunate that I, the ever thoughtful spouse, gave my husband of 38 years the lovely new GPS I told you about , and got no such thoughtful gift in return. That’s right, boys and girls! I got no gift from my life-long partner, in fact, I did not even get a card! An e reader would be a perfect gift for someone who loves to read, is concerned with the environment and has a large bandage over her nose.
I apologize to you Patch readers for using you as accessories to gift giving, but after all, friends should help each other out…right?
Oh, and I almost forgot! The second lie was the “click, click, click”. You know we all use digital clocks. Those numbers aren’t making any noise when they roll over.
