Sleep; there ain't nothing like it!

Just like this.
www.cartoonstock.com

  I first went to sleep during the 5PM weather report.  I slept through most of the 6:30PM national news, and the first inning of the Red Sox game.  After that I went to bed.  I woke up at 2:10AM.
  Now that's a nice nights sleep, really.  I must have had over seven hours of sleep.
I guess I was resting from my day trip with Hollie, because I didn't do a whole lot yesterday.  I went for coffee and a two mile walk, came home for a couple of hours, went to try on more shoes and then to a meeting, and some grocery shopping.  I was home before 2PM and we, my wife and I, went up the road to a nursery and bought some flowers to plant (I know what they were, the names are missing from my brain at the moment) snapdragons, geraniums, ivy and a basket of petunias.
  I planted to snapdragons, ate a meal, watched TV then - go to first paragraph.  The following cartoon doesn't apply to me, it's just funny.

www.sleepnosleep.wordpress.com

I just don't know.

  I did have something to write about today, it was half-written in my head.  I do not know, now, what it was.  So you'll have to hear about yesterday.
  I woke up at 12:15AM, yes that's right, and I did not go back to sleep.  I had planned on going to a 10AM and a Noon meeting with Jeff The Sponsee.  We went to the 10, he went to the noon.
  I slept quite a bit at times during the afternoon, but I worked on the computer some, and watched the college softball tournament and/or golf too.  I went to bed at 7:30 and got up this morning at 1:15!

Planning on sleeping, or naps

  Yesterday, Monday, I woke up at 11:30PM on Sunday.  Today, Tuesday, I woke up at 1:30AM.  If I don't nap at time during the day I can't imagine what time I would be in or out of bed.
  Until Sunday night I had been sleeping in my recliner because of coughing if I laid down; by Sunday evening things had progressed enough to lay down.
  It wasn't coughing that woke me, but I was wide awake and unable to go back to sleep.  I read and wrote my blog, ate some breakfast and had a short nap in a chair until leaving for coffee.  It's a tiresome (no pun intended) process to get some sleep.  Such is the way of life for us with sleep disorders.  I don't really suffer just thinking I should be like most other people.

Oh, what a night

From the Waterfront Part to Railroad Street Bangor Maine Nov 2 2012 - click
Photo by Linda Grant

  Some of the "yellows" are hanging on, even with the wind and rain.  The geezer used to work, for a short time, on the other side of the building on the far left.
  I've been up since midnight.  I didn't want to get up, but I woke up choking and a thrush.  The thrush is what got me up.  I was a pretty bright red and tingly too, impossible to sleep through.  It was an unusual time for that, usually it's when I first get up.  Oh well, I watched the last half of the Lakers game with the Clippers; lots of fouls in that one.  Now, it's 2:00AM and I'm hungry, I'll have breakfast soon.
  Linda was out taking photos yesterday, the first sunny day for a while, and it didn't last long.  She was at the waterfront in Bangor and over by the Kenduskeag Stream too.

Kenduskeag Stream, Bangor Maine Nov 2 2012 swollen with rain - click to enlarge
Photo by Linda Grant

Something for nobody

  Well, if I added up all of the sleep I got yesterday I probably wouldn't be able to do it.  I fell asleep twice sitting here at the computer.  I slept for an hour from eleven to noon, a couple of other catnaps in the afternoon too.  After all of that I went to bed and got five hours of sleep.  I have been up since 12:30AM and that's an improvement over yesterday, by a whole hour!
  The Red Sox continued to win, four in a row now, the game lasted only five and a half innings because of the rain.  The Sox are now out of last place, barely, Beckett didn't get traded either which means more time in the cellar (maybe).
  I watched the Womens Soccer yesterday, US v. PRK with the US winning 1-0, the North Koreans play rough, one player got a red card (ejected), went into the stands and grabbed a towel from a spectator, and finally went to the locker room, she was some angry.  The US men won a basketball game, beating Tunisia, but I didn't find it on any of the five or so channels that have Olympic content here with Time-Warner Cable.
  Who knows what today will bring, looks like some showers for sure and maybe a little steady rain for the gardens and brown lawns.  I will have to walk between the rain drops, or don't walk at all; I have some right hip pain this early AM, I will have to wait and see.

Oh no! Not again!

  The title of todays blog refers to Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder, which I have.  I have been doing better since 2009/2010 when I spent some time in the hospital with pneumonia.  I used to wake up every day at 11:30PM and go to bed at 5:30PM.
  After leaving the hospital I changed to getting up at 2AM and going to bed at 7:30AM.  I woke up today at 11:30PM!  I am concerned that my body/brain are switching back.
  I had all of the work done on our car yesterday, got credit for the pre-mature tire wear which amount to about 2 free tires and 2 purchased tires to replace the others.  I also got new front brakes, spark plugs, wires, fuel system cleaning (hoping to get back to 30mpg), an accessory drive belt (we used to say: fan belt), alignment at all that = $1282.00.  No wonder I can't sleep!  At lease it's cheaper than a new car.
  While I was waiting for the car I watched some Horseback Steeplechase, one horse fell, scary time, the horse is okay the rider too.  Another rider fell or was thrown off, he limped away, he was older than I am (71).  Then I watched volleyball, lot's of it, USA, Brazil, Japan and another country that slips my mind played in different series.  Volleyball can be boring if you watch it for three hours.  I was at the shop for six hours except for walking to lunch at Quiznos.
  Well since I'm up and at 'em, I'll get at 'em.

There must be a way, maybe?

Old Village of Shaktoolik, Alaska.  The people have moved inland just
a bit to the New Village.  Looks like a future project.

  First the project.  I have made the initial tracing of the same house you saw before.  This time it's just the house, larger but without the vegetation.  If  that "works" then maybe I'll tackle some of those buildings up there.  I have are three photos sent by my daughter who is in contact with someone who lives in the "new" Shaktoolik.  The village was moved because of rising water and the old town was in danger of drowning.
  Second the Sleep stuff:  I have begun to wake earlier and earlier, again.  If any of you recall my time to get up used to be about 11:30PM, then it got advanced to 2AM, now I'm back to Midnight.  I do nap in the daytime, not much control of that.  I think that if I napped earlier it might be helpful.  This "Advanced Sleep Disorder" is genetic, and I'm right on schedule like my dad and grandfather.  I always think it would be nice to stay up longer like a "regular" person.  Maybe, maybe not.

I'm disappointed...

...it's happening again,
getting up so early, like I don't know where I've been,
falling asleep too soon, during the six o'clock news,
I've been thinking I could beat this thing, at least I had those views.

I don't want to relapse into that pattern again,
want to be awake longer, but I know where I've been;
so probably that will be just the way things go,
so we'll just wait and see, kind of dread it though.


This is me at 1:00AM!!



I'm a...

...little disappointed, but there's no surprise,
that, now, I'm back to being awake, long before sunrise;
I was kind of getting used, to somewhat normal hours,
but, I'm back to two o'clock that quickly changed to one, too early for showers.

While I was sick and in hospital and such,
I was keeping "normal" hours, but now I'm out of luck,
back to the days, that are always half night,
odd for me to say, I always like the light.

Advanced sleep phase disorder, that's the term they use,
for someone like me, with a short time sleep fuse,
I am not happy with it, there's no ball games on for sure,
and I have to watch the replays and highlights for the score.

But, isn't that the way, human condition as they say,
sleep while you can get it, whether night or day;
by happy with what you have, don't want other peoples stuff,
besides you've got your own, isn't that suffering enough?

And this Daylight Savings Time stuff is starting to stink,
we could well do without it, at least that's what I think;
is doesn't save energy to say the very least,
I completely fail to see the beauty in the beast!

Enjoy your day!

I don't...

...know what is wrong, with getting up at two,
that would be AM, just between me and you;
I thought I'd slept in, a couple extra hours,
as if I'd been given some super powers.

I was getting ready to greet a brand new day,
downstairs in "my" bathroom, I'd quit the hay;
suddenly a knock, my wife outside the door,
"why did you get up at 8?", she sounded sure.

I felt really good, it had been a longs nights sleep,
but she was insisting that I go back to bed for keep,
I wasn't convinced until I re-read the clock,
there was a seven not a one! I need to see the doc.

My sleep habits are strange, have been for years,
go to bed at five, my life is in arrears,
and getting up at eleven, a little later on occasion,
or, I guess, real early, if my brain gets an invasion.

But now I'm up for good, have been for two hours,
the weather looks fair, but with a few showers,
now I have lots of time, to prepare for my day;
and now I'm very glad, she said to "hit the hay"!

Enjoy 'your' day too.

It might...

...have been an eventful night,
with fireworks providing the light;
all I know is what people said,
I was at home, in my room, in bed.

Just recalling that back in the day,
back before times when I hit the hay...
...and could stay up at night,
I used to enjoy the fireworks light.

Those days are over, probably for good,
do I miss TV?  Maybe I should,
the news and the weather come on at five,
after the weather, in to my bed I dive.

Today I got up at twelve on the dot,
been sleeping in, oh, quite a lot;
I find it odd that I wake up so late,
it used to be ten-thirty when I came out of the gate.

Maybe things are changing, or, maybe not,
I try not to think about that a lot;
I think we'll find - on down the line,
that ten-thirty will work out just fine.

Take time to push buttons, lest we forget,
critters and people count on us yet;
and be kind to the neighbors, or just be good,
and don't do more than you think you should.

Enjoy your day!

Well,.....

...I'm at it again,
slept well past ten,
twelve-twenty in fact, is the time I arose,
all rested, sitting here now, in quite a pose.

It seems there's one way or the other,
ain't no in between, I'll tell you brother,
when it comes time for me to awake;
there's no limit on times for me to take.

Feast or famine, long or short,
this is not the game, if you're not a sport,
there's no way to win, it's losers games,
the times to get up - all have different names!

And so it goes, one day to the next,
just like I said my sleep time is hexed;
it's a good thing I'm used to it - or adjusted,
that dad-blasted clock of mine is busted.

But I can still walk and do my thing,
physical therapy today - that has a ring;
some coffee, a meeting, it works out just right,
but I have to wear shorts. Now there's a sight!

And I have time to push buttons, always spot on;
visit http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/;
there are six tabs, all acrossed the top,
push one or all, no fail, no flop.

And be kind to others, Live and Let Live,
you have love in your heart, don't fear to give;
each one is unique, but we're all the same,
don't give in to hate; don't play that game.

Smile :)))

Payback....

...is hell, it comes early too,
up at eleven, writing this for you;
sleeping in one day, early up the next,
sometimes I think -- my sleep life is hexed.

But that's not the case, the trouble is my 'clock',
the old circadian rhythm simply does not rock;
gosh darn those bugs, that burrow in the ground,
keep the rhythm to themselves, if they're ever found.

So, I'll need a nap some time around two,
settle in my chair, anyplace will do;
catch a little snooze, refresh me for the day,
going for a walk, and a meeting by the way.

Try to take it easy. There's some sage advice,
actually it is easy, don't think about it twice;
rest and relaxation, may be the curse of man,
but I'm willing to go along, unless there's a better plan.

But, when they say 'Easy Does It', that's not what is meant,
work from the beginning, finish, pack in cement;
don't start in the middle, and expect it's okay,
begin with number one and go. You'll have a better day.

And feed the hungry critters, buy a kid a book,
save the Rain Forest, or teach someone to cook;
looks hard, but it's easy, no hard work on your part,
just go and push the buttons, give love from your heart.

Enjoy you day

Eleven fifteen...

...was that the correct time?
gosh it took hours to make that mine,
it was six forty-five four times in a row;
what in the hell makes that clock go?

That's what it seemed like, all the long night,
I'd wake up and the clock looked all right,
but I'd wake again and the clock hadn't changed;
and I was sure some sleep had been arranged.

It happened four times, for heavens sake!
So I imagine I was still awake;
but who knows, the mind has it's way,
but next time it's six forty-five, I hope it won't stay.

So let's leave all that sleep stuff behind,
we must have better things on our mind;
helping less fortunate people and pets,
I'm telling you, that's is good as it gets.

And be kind to your neighbors, Live and Let Live,
be worthy of love, you have lot's to give,
don't shun somebody because they're not like you,
remember it takes lot of pieces to make a good stew.

Enjoy :}

Crash...

...Bang...Ala Kazam!
Oversleeping was a sham!
I guess a night of sleeping in,
happens once and not again.

So...back to my "normal" times,
and life is good, grapes grow on vines;
but I wonder what goes on,
in my brain, I think it's gone.

When I woke up the first time last night,
it wasn't dark, it was very light;
I'd thought that I'd just taken a nap;
to rest while walking, I was late, ohhh crap!

A look at the clock, let the story unfold,
I like to walk, but dreaming of it is old;
I had gone to bed at my regular hour,
but the dreams I had soon turned that sour.

I was looking for something all over the place,
online, on the phone, driving kind of a race;
suddenly I was hit from behind, smack! Whoa!
there was a lot of traffic, no place to go.

I pulled over after the light,
place looked like Augusta, it wasn't night,
no one came with me, the other guy left!
oh, my goodness, how my life was blessed.

All that worry, was for naught,
there were no dents, where they ought;
then I woke up, it was about time,
not really, it was only quarter past nine!

Smile:)
I hope you had a good nights sleep

Will wonders...

...never cease?
My wake time increase?
Wonder of wonders, what in the world?
I slept 'til 1:20, my mind is whirled!

One-twenty! You say? How can that be?
I can't explain it, but it happened to me.
Was I surprised?  Has a cat got a tale?
Well, at least I didn't walke up in jail.

So, the election went well? Not so sure on this end,
for me there's surprised, my mind's trying to bend,
both people who won a chance to run,
for Governor, surprise me, son-of-a-gun.

Well, I need to finish waking up, this is all new,
sometimes strange things happen that puts us in a stew,
but I've got exercises, I need to get done,
beleive me when I say, there's more than one.

And I've got to push buttons. For what you ask?
It's part of the plan, and it's such a small task;
just pick a color, or pick a cause,
support breast cancer, or feed critters with paws.

And be helpful and kind, you've much to give;
never forget Live and Let Live!
It's just a simple way to say the Golden Rule,
do unto others and they do unto you!  (hopefully)

Smile :)

I wonder....

..what was on my mind, as I went to sleep,
maybe Carmel Indiana got me in too deep;
I dreamed I had a traffic light, paper, kept in my pocket,
it was used by walkers, if you have traffic, block it.

And if you were a 'walker' you could make some cash,
other people would hire you - to bring them their stash (or anything);
it was all a part of an early evening dream,
of course for me no walking, a new part of the scheme.

Then I was in my office, back in Hanger Ten,
but there was no Navy, like there was back then;
but I was working for the city, curb cuts were the game,
if you wanted a new driveway, into my office you came.

So it was a night of weird stuff, meaningless, unless;
you consider what was on my mind, it's the walking mess;
I don't like not walking, not one little bit,
but the knees, hip and ankle, put a stop to it.

Let's call it part of aging, or growing up old,
guess I need to grasp the concecpt, of being solid gold;
that means old in the language of my mind,
but no walking puts me - in some kind of bind.

But agreements and orders must be carried out,
so I'll start by making coffee, and pour it from the spout,
nice and hot and black, perfect start of my day,
once I have a cup of that - I'm ready to 'make hay''.

And, of course, the web site where those buttons are pushed,
make quick work of those, and stuff will get hushed,
things like childrens health, breast cancer and rain forest,
literacy and pet food - and nourishment for the poorest.

So Live and Let Live has multiple meanings,
depending on your circumstance and political leanings,
but most of all, it means one thing, not to be denied,
you live your life and I'll live mine, or at least we tried.

Smile!

Crazy!...

...sleeping hours have finally done me in,
when I go to bed, I don't know when I'll be up again;
last night I got up it was just after eight,
I may have been confused, went back to bed and got up late.

I have no idea what made me think,
or, do you suppose, I've gone over the brink?
I'll be darned, if I have a clue,
so I'll just live with it, it's all I can do.

Other than my "sleep" things everythings okay,
so...I'll take a little walk, and it's a Hollie Day;
I did the list she gave me, got things up to snuff,
but there are only 4 things - you know that's not enough.

Now the coffees ready, I'm really need a cup,
maybe that will help me know which end is up.
But, alas, it decaf, no brain jarring drug;
so what good does it do, to chug-a-lug?

Well, it tastes like coffee, I guess that's okay,
and I'll have a "real" cup, later on today.
So I'll go and look up the game score,
wondering if the Red Sox can win anymore.

No, they lost, three to one's the final,
left the pitcher in too long, his arm turned to vinyl.
They let him throw too many times,
and the Texas bats just rung his chimes.

It didn't help that the team, only had six hits, out of thirty-one at bats;
kind of makes me wonder, what they've got beneath their hats,
but baseball is a game - that often goes astray,
or maybe, just maybe, they have to learn to play.

I think I'll start the day off right, I have buttons on my mind,
yes, you know the ones of the electronic kind;
push each different tab, they can easily be seen,
and you know and I do, second in on the right is green.

Please don't turn your back if a stranger comes, please break the ice,
maybe he needs to shake a hand, say hello and be nice.
There's no need to shut them out, do your "duty chores",
simply welcome them and say this chair is yours!

Enjoy.

How much....

is too much?  When have I had enough?
I don't know either, but the pace is rough,
today up at twelve-thirty, that's a little late,
but I feel rested, not in an altered state.

The pace gets kind of frantic, and that's all in my head,
you see - I feel rushed, when I should be relaxed instead;
there is no simple reason for me to feel this way,
just because I'm up late, there's still time left in the day.

Maybe for me to write that, will calm my fevered brain,
that beats the alternative - crazy frantic pain.
Now I feel better I've got that off my "chest",
slow down, stay calm, you've just had a lot of rest.

Maybe I should explain the simple fix I'm in,
I have it in my brain now - that this writing should have been,
in other words, I somehow feel, that this entry's late,
I think it's too long after midnight and some of you might have to wait.

Now isn't that just stupid, how many of you are up?
waiting for this blog, not too many waiting to simply pick this up.
I know some people like to stay up late,
but I know little of it, the early bird's my fate.

Now you know why the word "ramble" is in the title here,
I ramble on forever - waiting to overcome a stupid fear,
the fear of being late - that must have a name,
like earlylatemidphobia, that sounds a little lame.

So, now the rant is over, it's coffee time all right,
then I'll push those giving buttons, and I'll do it tonight,
they are arranged in many colors, makes it easy to choose,
but I like to push them all, hey! Maybe that'll help me snooze!

Smile

As I....

...was saying, don't get used to sleeping in,
and I sure didn't, up at half past ten;
so I have a longer time to haul myself around,
until four in the morning, when I hit the ground.

Sleep just comes and goes, when I'll never know,
up at different hours has become part of the show;
don't try to understand it, it will do no good,
but, sometimes I wish, I knew where I stood.

Walking yesterday was a triffle cool,
had my winter jacket, a very useful tool,
then by ten in the morning, the coats a little warm;
so grin and bear it, first, do no harm.

The miles are going easy, what with my new shoes,
let's hope they keep making them, so that I can choose...
...what style and color, you men I have a choice?
Sure gray, blue or black - speak up, use your voice.

Today's no different, walk, coffee, talk,
I could paint the sidewalk, but I have no chalk;
maybe a few errands, walk around a bit,
then go on home, you'll get over it.

Let's go play the button game, we've done that before,
see where we wind up, it's not a heavy chore.
Just pick a place to start, it's easy, one through five,
all we can help with keeps others alive.

Don't worry 'bout that guy over there, a little different sure,
that's not the point, it doesn't matter anymore;
some folks are different, after all we're not all the same,
Live and Let Live - - - be slow to blame!

Smile!