Little routines

It's 2am on Tuesday morning and I'm still up.   Swore to myself that I'd not do this again.  I do enjoy time alone, though, and unless I get up really early, it is my time.  This morning I did relish the bit of quiet I had before the sick/recovering kids showed their faces.  The dogs behaved and the house was silent.  I had my tea and yogurt and could think my thoughts without any help. And those little girls give LOTS of help.

I have this tea ritual at the beginning of the day with my tetsubin (cast iron Japanese teapot like the photo, but mine is deep purple) and a favorite tea cup.  That's why I made a bit of a fuss about the new Indian tea I got the other day.  I buy it loose and have a tray and a little zebra wood spoon Gary made me, along with a little dish I use to put the little wire basket in that steeps the tea.  It's a routine that makes mornings sort of sweet.  And I do this every day, with very little variation.  I seem to need grounding early on each morning.

But must go now.  There's a shower or bath to attend to and some reading to enjoy.  Am reading an Anne Lamott who I'm a bit sideways about, but this book has some high points.  I read her books with one eye closed, not quite convinced of her talent, but sometimes surprised at her clarity.  Not keen on her oftentimes ill-placed swearing, but trying to get past those points.  Even Kathleen Norris, one of my favorites slips in the profanity from time-to-time, which I think is unnecessary.  Don't want to sound too puffed up, but I think a person can make their point without the shock value of certain words.

But whatever.  Not an issue at this early morning hour.  Must go to bed.