Saturday, December 8, 2007

Early Riser

The Bag Lady had an exhausting day yesterday. She had to be in town early in the morning to go for blood tests, etc. and had several appointments and some errands to run and shopping to do. When she finally returned from town, she had chores to attend to and all those groceries to put away. By the time all that was done, she was played out, but she still had to make supper and clean up afterwards. She isn’t sure why, but going to town wears her out more than building a quarter-mile of fence!
She was in bed fairly early (OMG, whatever happened to Friday nights?) which was a mistake. The Princess, who is accustomed to getting up with the Cowboy when he gets up at all kinds of ungodly hours to go to work, woke up at 4 am today and insisted on waking up the Bag Lady. The Cowboy actually has the day off from his regular job (which does not mean that he isn’t going to work today, just means he gets to sleep until whenever he wakes up), so the Princess didn’t have to get up with him at 2 am. Consequently, she felt she had to wake up the Bag Lady to let her outside so she could do her customary barking to warn off any (real or imagined) intruders.
So the Bag Lady got up and stumbled around, waiting for the Princess to want back in. Of course, the dog was ready to play after her invigorating foray into the -30C temperatures outside, and the cats decided that since everyone else was awake, they might as well venture outside, and pretty soon the Bag Lady realized there wasn’t a chance in hell of getting back to sleep, so she turned on the (new) coffee pot and caught up on some reading. Right about the time everyone else in the civilized world will be waking up, the Bag Lady will be ready for a nap!
In one way, it’s a good thing the Princess woke the Bag Lady because the woodstove was almost out and it gets pretty cold in the house without it. Of course, the dog has subsequently gone back to bed – in fact, that was probably the plan all along! She had to get the Bag Lady up so the Princess could take her place on the bed, rather than get back on the chair she spends the night on.
Truthfully, the Bag Lady doesn’t mind being awake so early in the morning. She has always been an early bird and enjoys the peaceful quietness of the house. She putters around, catching up on her reading, drinking coffee and thinking deep thoughts. Well, okay, maybe not so deep.
But there are still a couple hours before the sun comes up, and the Cowboy wakes up and will want to do some work around the ranch. He said something yesterday about wanting to wean the calves, so that may happen today. And if it does, it’s certainly going to spoil the peace and quiet around the ranch for a few days! Weaning is not one of the Bag Lady’s favourite times. The mothers, in spite of the fact that it must be tiresome to still be feeding calves who are tall enough to practically lift the cows off their feet, will stand at the corral fence and bawl for their babies. The babies will stand on the other side of the fence and bawl back, deprived of that nice, warm milk. This will go on for at least a couple of days, and no-one will get much rest! As soon as the cows stop producing milk, they will settle down and stop calling for their babies, and the babies will get accustomed to eating only hay and a little chop (rolled oats, or barley) and things will quiet down again.

12 comments:

Crabby McSlacker said...

For the past six months or so, I've been waking up earlier and earlier... there are lots of mornings I wake up at 4:30 and can't get back to sleep. That NEVER used to happen!

Don't know if it's aging or blogging. Seriously, something about having the blog seems to make me more hyper than I used to be.

Anyway, glad I don't have to go out and wean calfs today!

the Bag Lady said...

Crabby, the Bag Lady isn't sure, either, if age is to blame, but she can certainly relate. She went through a hellish period for a couple of years where she would have hot flashes throughout the night that would wake her up and make it impossible to get any rest. They have calmed down (slightly), but she still doesn't get the sleep she used. She has a theory that it isn't age that causes wrinkles, it's sleeplessness! You know - those huge bags under the eyes...

Leah J. Utas said...

For the past little while when I haven't been feeling well, and Mike hasn't had to get up at some unDogly hour for work, I've slept in. It was nearly 8 o'clock before I was up today and that was only because I breathe better standing up. (And I had some Valerian last night. It's a muscle relaxer.)
Much as I know my body needs the rest, early mornings are better. I love the quiet, like you, and I get more done.
Of course it's hard to convince yourself how great they are when it's matter of leaving a warm bed to step out into a -32C morning.

Hilary said...

Aging sure does affect sleep.. but I think Crabby is on to something about the blogging too. An active mind means a restless sleep for me.

And Baggie, your eyes are not supposed to help you take on the "Bag Lady" persona.

the Bag Lady said...

Gals, this can't mean we are getting older, can it...!?
Hilary, the Bag Lady wondered if anyone would make that connection!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm no fan of early mornings, but I'm usually up early anyway because it's the best way to get a jump on all the things I have to get done in a day.

Unfortunately, I perk up around 10 pm, so I have to take naps in the afternoon or early evening to make the whole sleep/wake thing work out.

I know if I really wanted to I could work on getting my body onto a more "normal" schedule, but I'm happy this way, so I see no point. :-)

Like you, though, once I'm up, I'm up. No going right back to sleep.

the Bag Lady said...

Bunnygirl - the Bag Lady envies your ability to nap. She has tried it on occasion, but all it does is make her groggy for the rest of the day. That said, she may have to nap this afternoon, or risk going to bed early, which would only make her wake up early again tomorrow - a vicious cycle may result!

Reb said...

I don't envy you weaning cows, but isn't it supposed to at least get warmer over the next few days? It is here. I'm doing laundry today so have been in your site 3 times, just to comment.

Reb said...

Buttertarts for brunch! Thanks Sis! Mmmm and Shortbread too! Can I open the other thing?

the Bag Lady said...

You GOT them ALREADY??!! The Bag Lady just mailed them yesterday!! Holy Crap - Canada Post was really on the ball!! And NO, that's for Christmas...you have to wait! (Oh, like the Bag Lady can stop you...!)

Reb said...

Wow, that is good I was surprised to get them on a Saturday too. I will wait to open the gift portion.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

Hi Bag Lady,

Just wanted you to know I gave you a shout out on women of mystery and gave a plug to the cartsmart bags as well.

Terrie