Friday, November 14, 2008


A Chore Neglected

Sometimes one neglects a common, everyday activity and that simple neglect turns out to have a decided effect on the course of one’s morning. For me that morning belonged to this very day and the chore neglected was the making up of my bed. I left this particular duty until after breakfast during which I observed a slightly misty, rather scowly morning squatting like gloom itself outside my cottage window. A dull grey grumpy morning that seemed most determined to cast a dull grey grumpy light through each windowpane, washing dull grey grumpy shadows over every room. Just as I was beginning to wonder if my mood was going to succumb to the same fate as those shadows, I passed by the bedroom door and spied it. Sitting there serene and stately, fluffy, warm, and only slightly rumpled, with fat, fat pillows and feather down blankets. The Unmade Bed. I could almost hear it calling my name in downy whispers. I looked around. Only Edward returned my gaze, and I knew what he would advise without having to ask. I looked at the telephone. So easy, really, to remove the little cord that controls the sound. For just an hour. Perhaps two. Gently setting down my coffee, I padded down the hallway and silently slipped between the crisp linen sheets. The wind chimes sang soft lullabies and the rest of the world was quiet. Edward, sensing his fondest wishes answered, landed lightly at my feet, placed his big wise head atop my ankles and heaved a restful, happy sigh. I could barely hold my eyes open lying as I was in the arms of such white comfort. The sing song, sing song, of the wind chimes began to recede away and away as I wafted down a twilight corridor holding on to the gentle hand of repose. Somewhere a mauve door closed and I was asleep. And I regret nothing.

Painting above by Vittore Carpaccio

37 comments:

  1. My dear I am so glad you listened to the wise enticing voice of your and possibly Esward's Guardian Angel. In these cases it is always best to answer when called, even if the said bed IS already made!
    When th e call is strong, there is some other realm where you are needed.

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  2. Dreamy. I want to sneak off to bed now.

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  3. It was a brilliant idea - a good one to listen to a stolen hour or two just for yourself - and Edward, of course. Beautiful post.

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  4. Brilliant idea. I believe that I shall do the same, given the late hour. I wish I could stay there all weekend with the threat of snow coming. It's so much nicer to look out the window from a warm bed at the snow.

    Alas things need to get done and company is coming.

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  5. Yay for giving into that urge. Sometimes moments like that (or a luxurious weekend afternoon nap) feel like the best indulgences!

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  6. I could do with an hour or two like that...maybe after this weekend...wise Edward.

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  7. Such a delight to indulge in moments of bliss and with your faithful companion(or should I say co-conspirator) at your feet.Cocooned within this earthly delight one shall reawaken renewed, refreshed and ready to face any kind of day that lies ahead.
    xo Susan

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  8. Good for you..very wise...A let the world go by day..

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  9. :-) Sometimes it's good to just have a mini hibernation when the weather is bad. You then have energy for battling the wind and chores.

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  10. What sweet slumber doth thou describe. Ah, sounds divine! The words just seem to slip right off your lips.
    Dream-like.
    Love my package! :)

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  11. Nothing wrong with a little nap here and there, rabbits do it all the time.

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  12. Why is there a certain amount of guilt in resting? Last week I fell on my knees and face which disrupted my schedule in the worst kind of way. My best laid plans were put aside as stayed home and had to rest. While recovering it made me think my accident might have been a message from the universe - slow down. So glad you volunteered for the rest...I was drafted and I didn't go willingly!

    P.S. My black eyes are recovering.

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  13. Sounds like a lovely time for dreaming. And such a wise friend you have in Edward! Rest well my friend!

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  14. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I might try that on this cloudy, chilly day. Terra would be happy to snuggle up next to me after a nice scamper through the leaves.
    Thanks for the inspiration, Pamela!

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  15. Bed-making is highly overrated. Moby would prefer we never did it at all, can't see the point. Naps are better.

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  16. That was the most inviting thing to read on this Saturday morning - Wait..is that MY bed calling?? I think I'll go see!
    Colleen

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  17. Oh yes, I have done this too. Sheer luxury.

    I have travelled on the Flying Scotsman as a child.

    I like your walk through Autumn post too.

    What a writer you are.

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  18. Oh, how lovely. What a wonderful thing to do and I'm sure Edward appreciated it too:)

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  19. Those wonderful, guilt-free moments of spontaneity make life worth living. I often give in to the same impulses. :-)

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  20. Oh, this made me sleepy!

    Sometimes there is something lovely about an unmade bed. I leave mine that way sometimes. Just because.

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  21. Love it! I am thankful to know that I am not the only one who has done this... of course, I could not weave the words together to tell the tale as well as you have here. Shhhh .. zzzzz

    Christi

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  22. Mmmmm, sometimes snuggling back under the covers is just what is needed to rest the body and the mind. I admit, I've given it some thought on this dreary wet day of mine.

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  23. It's this blasted weather! I went back to bed this morning. I don't think the sun every woke up. November is a sleepy time of year.

    I went to talk given at Bowdoin on sleep by a natural alternative medicine expert. His claim was that napping was especially good because you fall right into deep sleep.

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  24. Ah, yes! That is how I spent this dreary rainy day too! Snug in my bed with a big fluffy cat at my feet. It was divine!

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  25. Here, here, let's hear it for the unmade bed...

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  26. Ah, the nest ... this time of linen and downy white. What a perfect thing to do on a grey and grumpy day especially with a shaggy handsome Edward as your companion. Beautifully written as always. Love from Missy D and me - the wood stackin' Mama.

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  27. When Edward sighs he becomes human. I've experienced that before with a beloved dog.

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  28. Oh how delightful! On top of everything else with a soft warm doggy at your feet. How I wish I could do that, with two little ones, it is impossible. Enjoy my friend.

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  29. Oh this must me the most beautiful and dangerous post ever written. I adore it:)

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  30. What a delicious description, how wonderful :) I could almost do the same myself now!

    Kim x

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  31. I love days like tha and they are far and few between with the early birds at our house. However, once in a while, I'll get an extra hour in and what bliss to climb back in and snuggle under the sheets...

    Now, off to make the bed this morning:^)

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  32. I love those mornings when you can defy making the bed knowing that sooner or later you'll sneak back in, and are thankful you left it ready and waiting.

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  33. Your bed sounds idyllic...

    I've done that too - left my bed unmade when I first got up and awhile later succumbed to its siren song... :-)

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  34. Edward was so right in joining you!!!

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  35. You made the wise choice! I love the painting

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!