Reviving an old Tradition, the Nap

Now here’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while. How come I’m so dang busy all the time? Better yet, how did I manage before I retired? I mean, I’m retired, I’m supposed to have a lot of leisure time. So, where the heck is my front porch, rocking chair, and sleeping dog?

Well, I do have the sleeping dog; he’s right at my feet. Ok, that much I’ve got. My rocking chair is across the room, piled high with cushions, my shawl, and K’s drum. The porch? The house doesn’t have on right now, but the studio does because we just built it.

I’m not really whining (honest), just wondering how it all got this way and why I let it happen. Actually, that was a while ago I was wondering, then I decided it didn’t really matter how it happened, I have to make it stop. I need time to breathe.

In keeping with this line of thought, I decided to revive an ago old tradition for those of us who are in old age. I’m a pretty traditional gal, I bake my own bread, knit my own socks, and repair my own roof, so I naturally looked for a traditional solution. I chose the nap.

Napping is just the tradition I need. In days gone by when most women were stay at homes, we could catch a quick nap in the afternoon before the rest of the family came home. The men would arrive home, eat their dinner, then plop their ass in a chair before the TV and promptly fall asleep. Nap time. A badly neglected tradition in this high speed society of ours.

nap in progress

So, what did I do? While K was busy cleaning the bathroom, I sneaked off to the couch, curled up, called a dog over to share the sinful delight, and went to sleep. I was only vaguely aware when she pulled the drapes behind me, covered me with a blanket, and kissed my forehead. Yes indeed, I am spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it.

Now, a tradition is more than a one shot deal. I am going to make the effort to catch a nap at least four or five times a week from now on, but I can’t do it all myself. I need your help, especially those of you who are retired. I will be expecting you to check in and report where, when, and how you managed to sneak in a nap, a sinfully delicious and refreshing nap. Go forth now, fellow traditional warriors, and snooze.