Monday Morning This and That

Even thus last night, and two nights more I lay,
And could not win thee, Sleep, by any stealth:
So do not let me wear to-night away.
Without thee what is all the morning's wealth?
Come, blessed barrier between day and day,
Dear mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health!

William Wordsworth, "To Sleep"

Good morning.  Another week begins.  Didn't do much this weekend.  In fact, on Friday and Saturday, aside from some light housekeeping, I didn't do a thing.  Took it easy on myself.  I read, played a few games, did my nails, sorted through my costume jewelry and put a bag together to take to the thrift shop.  On Saturday I watched the entire season of "The Last Ship" on demand.  Didn't realize how good it was until I started watching.  Now I cannot wait until the next episode. Kind of scary, though.  It's something that really 'could' happen. 

Especially now with this Ebola.  They say that they have special equipment and will be checking for fevers in those who fly in from the affected countries, but a person can be infected and not show symptoms for up to 20 days. Hence, it is possible for a person who has the virus but is still feeling fine to fly to the US.  Okay, I'm going to stop it now.  See what happens to me when I start thinking about something I watch something on television?

Sunday was my first day out.  I got up early and went to Church, then stopped at the market and picked up a few items I needed. 

Harvest veggies from Lughnasadh dinner. We had this along with garlic mashed potatoes and Buttered Chicken (so easy and quick to make)

Saute chopped onions in melted butter.  (I use no salt butter.) Dunk chicken in milk then coat with flour.  Add to pan.  Season with black pepper, salt, and parsley.  When browned turn and saute the other side until golden brown.  Delicious. Once the veggies were chopped and washed, the entire  meal took me about 25 minutes.   

Did I ever do a stupid thing!  Last month when I made out two money orders at bill time--one for the rent and a $2 money order for my medicare prescription penalty. I just refuse to go out and get a money order for a dollar every month, and try as I might, they have still not started to take it directly from social security.  I even felt good about myself for paying everything almost a week early.  That is, until I opened up my bill for this month's rent and discovered that they never received my rent last month. 

My immediate thought was that it must  have been lost in the mail, and it takes a long time to get that money back.  I felt like a dunce, though, when I called the building owner, and he said he was shocked when he opened my envelope and found a money order for $2.  I had sent my landlord the HIP money order and sent HIP my rent money.  My first thought was 'why didn't someone call me?'  And why didn't they return the money order.  It was clear that it wasn't made out to them.  Anyone with any sense would return it.

That is, if someone had any sense.  Turns out that the morons at HIP THOUGHT that I was paying ahead so they credited it to my account.  PAYING AHEAD????  FOR 96 YEARS????  Because that is what it adds up to.  Are they serious?  How could anyone be so dumb?  And what bank would deposit it?  Needless to say, they will be refunding me my money on the 5th, and my landlord was very understanding about the matter. Aside from the one $30 late fee, he will not tack on another. I am so fortunate  it wasn't lost in the mails as refunds on money orders can take months.  

To be honest, it made me stop and think.  I'm no spring chicken any more, and burning the candle at both ends is catching up on me.  Not sleeping at night and unable to nap during the day because of (1) Miss Minga and (2) always having so much on my plate.  Time to slow down.  I've been forgetting things, losing things, and making mistakes...and this was a BIG mistake.  I'm tired. Fell asleep at Bingo a couple times and can't concentrate on reading a book.  Read a page or two, and my eyes grow heavy.  

Getting around and doing things are important, but equally important is getting the proper rest.  That's why I chose to stay in on Friday and Saturday and not be running about.  Still I didn't get much sleep, and my eyes may still be heavy, but at least my body was given some time to mend.

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by,
One after one; the sound of rain, and bees
Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas,
Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky;
I have thought of all by turns, and yet do lie
Sleepless!

William Wordsworth

How do people go to sleep? I'm afraid I've lost the knack. I might try busting myself smartly over the temple with the night-light. I might repeat to myself, slowly and soothingly, a list of quotations beautiful from minds profound; if I can remember any of the damn things. 

Dorothy Parker