Friday, December 12, 2008

Reflections of an Early Morning Riser and Piddler ...


{Picture borrowed from the internet}

I've always been an early riser, but as I get older it seems that I don't need as much sleep. Most mornings I awaken between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and I love the peace and quiet and knowing that I have an hour or two just to myself.

This picture of the sunrise is one I took on just such a morning ...

These days, my pre-dawn mornings are usually spent working on my blog or visiting my favorite bloggers. I love sitting at my computer and listening to the birds wake up and the soft tinkling of wind chimes outside my window when there's a breeze blowing.

Sometimes I'll tackle a chore I've been procrastinating on doing, like laundry, "swiffering," making out a grocery list, watering plants, or balancing my checkbook. I also plan my day and make lists of errands to run or phone calls to make. I can accomplish more in that hour or two before my husband wakes up than I can the rest of the day.

Other mornings, I just "piddle," which is what we call "dawdling" here in the South. I can't count the times my mama has called and asked what I'm doing, and I've said, "Oh, just piddling," ... and she knows exactly what I mean.

To "piddle," according to the dictionary, means "to spend time idly," and I have it down to an art. I don't think of it as spending my time idly, though. Sometimes I may work on a decorating project ... or create one. Or organize a kitchen "junk drawer," or clean out the refrigerator. And some mornings I just walk around my house admiring some of the things I've collected over the years, recalling how and where I acquired them. I may arrange or rearrange a vignette on a sideboard or chest, or put an arrangement of flowers in a different vase to give it a totally new look. Of course, I'm usually the only one who notices the new look, but that's okay.

And as the new day breaks, I look out the windows to check the weather and enjoy the solitude and serenity of the pre-dawn sky. Life is good, and these early morning hours are a perfect time for reflection ... and for counting my blessings and thanking God for them and my sweet family.

If you wake up earlier than usual one morning, try getting up instead of turning over and going back to sleep. I think you'll enjoy the solitude and luxury of some quality time just for yourself ... especially during the holidays.

[Note: This post is one of the first ones I wrote after I created my blog. I didn't have many readers then, so I thought I would re-post it.]

20 comments:

Stacey said...

I love to wake up before every one else in the house. It doesn't happen that often because my hubby is like you..he's getting earlier and earlier. Sometimes I have insomnia and wake up during the night. I love to piddle or clean.

You are so right about seeing the first light of morning. You just know God is there.

Bo said...

Thank you for posting this again because I wasn't blogging the first time you posted it. I have also gotten into the habit of waking up between 4 & 5 AM...and like you I do alot of piddlin'...
;-) Bo

Anonymous said...

Morning Janie! I remember this post!! It was when I decided we have much in common! And yes, I did wake up at 4:30 this morning!!lol Just wanted to stop in and wish you a great weekend and hope you didn't get any of that flakey stuff in your part of the State?!lol I'm off for the day by myself for a little reading material and beverage!!! Til later, Sincerely - Jeannette

southerninspiration said...

janie, I am a member of the Piddlers Club, too! I am an officer, in fact, because I"ve got the art down pat! ;)
Loved this post!

Suzanne
And you're right, that solitude is like no other time of day!

Salmagundi said...

I'm not an early riser; but I'm a great piddler!! We have always used that word, too. Anytime I'm alone, I love to piddle. My husband always says he goes to the garage to putz. Same thing. Have a great day. Sally

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie,

I loved reading this and seeing your pictures. Loved the pic of you and of that incredible sunset!

It is always such a joy to read your blog. :-)

XO,

Sheila

Beth at Aunties said...

It was a lovely post for this known piddler. Thanks for reposting it.
The sunrise was gorgeous:-) Was the picture of Avery?

Enjoy a beautiful Day!

daisy said...

Oh, I wish I were an early riser. I've tried to be. But I'm still just a late night piddler. That's when I read blogs, clean the kitchen, look for random things I'm missing, etc.

I just wish I were doing it at the beginning of the day, when the sunrise would keep my company.

Unknown said...

I enjoy having the house to myself in the mornings...but it is after hubby goes to work. He is the early riser here. LOL

Lots of time I'm doing what you do in the am in the pm.

Takes all kinds doesn't it? LOL

Have a great weekend!
Diane

ksarra said...

I totally agree with you. There's something wonder-filled about early morning. These last few weeks I've gotten up, put the coffee on, turned on the Christmas lights and music and just ENJOYED the beginning of the day.

Cottage Rose said...

I love the photo of the sunrise, how magnificent it is. I must admit you do have a great idea there, sometimes I awake around five am but I don't get up, maybe next time I will.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs;
Alaura

StitchinByTheLake said...

I get up early but not as early as you. I'm also good at "piddling" but I try to do quiet things so I don't wake my husband if he sleeps later than me. If I started the vacuum he'd think I'd lost my mind. :) blessigns, marlene

nikkicrumpet said...

That sunrise picture is spectacular! And my mom always used the word "piddling"...my hubby is a champion piddler!!!

Dixie said...

Amen to early rising and piddle-ing. I do both quite well!

what a great blog. happy to have found you!

Kitty Scraps said...

After reading your post I was confused for a moment because I thought I had posted it, lol, I'm exactly the same, I rise every morning about 5 am and enjoy the peace and solitude of my home. I check my email while enjoying a cup of coffee, usually with something to 'nosh on, I catch up on everyone's blogs, do a few little chores, and just enjoy the quiet. It's truly my most favorite time of the day.

Jon said...

Janie, this post brought me my "laugh of the day" as it gave me a happy flashback to a childhood conversation I had with my grandfather one hot summer afternoon when I was resting under the shade of a huge bois d'arc tree in the backyard. He asked me if I was just piddling. I replied I reckoned so as I had gotten hot and tired from playing. My grandfather said to me to be sure to always be making a plan whenever I piddled so I would NOT become trifling. I asked him what "trifling" meant and he said that is a bad thing that people become who waste time and don't use their brains to think and plan while they piddle.
Just one of the many little lessons in life and vocabulary words I learned from my beloved "Daddyman" as I called him. Thanks for the memory!
Jon at Mississippi Garden

Anonymous said...

Morning Janie! Just wishing you a happy weekend and hope your absence is from being busy and not from being ill!!! See I miss you when you are not on here!lol Sincerely, Jeannette

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I'm the total opposite...it's about 4 a.m. now and I'm heading to bed! I'm a total night owl...always have been (and I come from a long line of night owls!). So as I get ready to head to bed...good morning to you! :-)

Anonymous said...

I do this too, Janie.

I hope all is well with you.

I came by to wish you all the best this Christmas Season!

Susie Q said...

I love piddling...that's my favorite thing.