I love my quiet mornings. Lately I’ve been sleeping really well.

I feel rested when I get up as it means I’ve been getting deep sleep. I’ve been dreaming too – strong, vivid dreams that make me content when I get up.

I feel as if I’m “getting back to normal” whatever that means.

This morning I looked over at Pud while making my morning coffee. Mornings are reserved for Pud and me because Andrew is usually in the shower getting ready for work. It’s the time I make our coffees, feed Pud and make Andrew’s sandwiches for his lunch that day. It’s the same routine I’ve had since getting married many years ago – with different cats.

This morning as I looked at Pud, I realised that every morning, around the same time, he looks out the window. It’s winter at the moment so it’s still dark outside. There’s some possums up on our roof making noises so methinks he’s watching them. As they’re nocturnal, I think they’re settling into their routine to get ready for sleep so they’re possibly outside scrambling across the fence and up the trees. This happens at the same time every day (or this is what I’ve assumed based on Pud’s exact behaviour every morning) sitting there by the window watching them.

It took me a while to realise this. It just dawned on me that this was his daily routine!

Sometimes we are so wrapped up in our own little world to realise that others around us are in theirs too.

Meanwhile now that I don’t trawl through social media every morning that used to get me worked up, a cup of coffee and some quiet knitting is a lot more restful. Sometimes I watch the French news but on the whole, all I hear is the clock ticking behind me and the whir of central heating. I’m alone with the thoughts in my head planning out what I need to get done that day. The dark winter days have made me hibernate somewhat. I haven’t been walking or jogging as I used to every day last year. Maybe I’ll start it up again when there’s light out. The cold, dark, wet mornings just don’t inspire me to get out there to walk I’m afraid – not when my knitting beckons me instead.

Today is Thursday. It’s a day where I catch up with my weekly walk with my good friend Marilyn, then a visit to my parents and afterwards study French and clean the house. Later, a chat with my French friend for some conversation in that language.

What’s your morning routine?