Lately the weather has been what some would call a “real winter”. We’ve had lots of rain, low temperatures and now, plenty of snow. The white stuff has stayed around long enough to become boring-- like company that drops in unannounced and spends the whole afternoon with you. One begins to wish for change and relief.
The up side is that my sleep has really improved. There is nothing more resting than climbing into bed on a bitter cold winter night with a good book and let your mind forget the tribulations of work and stress. Beneath a warm blanket, flannel sheets and a quilt I read about a brilliant quadriplegic detective who is called upon by the President of the United States to find out who is killing off members of the United Nations. World peace hangs in the balance and there I am-- in my pajamas and reading glasses growing drowsy. I fall asleep and dream about a quadriplegic killer that is dispatching unwanted house guests.
All of this sleep energizes me and the weather stokes a desire to invite family over for dinner to ease us all through the season. Winter fare is fried meats, stews or soups and we sit around the table with several conversations going on simultaneously. You’d think we were French. The subject d’jour is the newest member of the tribe.
Her name is Juliet and every time I see her I claim holding rights. She’s about the size of a large football and sometimes I intercept her has her mother comes through the door. With Juliet in my arms I do a touchdown in the nearest chair.
Recently we had a gathering of the clan over for pork chops, sweet potatoes, green beans and dinner rolls. At the end of the meal the tribe was picking at pork bones and planning a hunt for the Wooly Mammoth. I decided to take Juliet away from the bone gnawing Neanderthals and give her some culture time. That would be time with just me.
I took her to the living room and sat on the couch and proceeded to tell her about the fellow that made her name famous, Shakespeare. I told her that he was a pretty good writer and that she will one day read O. Henry, Hemmingway and that God loves her very much and that she is so beautiful. I told her she was a princess and would have many friends in her life and to remember that her grandfather will kill the first boy that tries to date her.
Her little hand was wrapped around my forefinger and I decided to tell her that I was working on an idea for a book. She looked at me and those big round eyes squinted shut and her face contorted into a grimace ---then she passed gas. I guess the book idea needs some work.
The minutes drifted by, the heavy meal kicked in and I grew quiet and Juliet’s little eyelids slowly closed. I dozed off —my headed tilted back with my face turned upward and my mouth open.
I suddenly awoke and saw that everyone was in the room. My daughter-in-law held a cell phone picture about a foot from my face that was taken while I was asleep. Everyone was laughing and doing imitations of me asleep and used their fingers to show drool. You don’t forget moments like that.
Ever wondered what you look like asleep? Well, now I know. Just like that a mystery is solved on a winter evening with a loving family. I bet it’s already on the internet.
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