Appreciate the little things and take photos of the mundane.  That’s what we miss when circumstances change.

We have a nice little routine.  Sparky probably wakes up first, but he doesn’t get out of bed because he has the electric blanket he received last Christmas.  It’s just a $15 heating pad, but it’s pretty nice for a dog.

I used to be good at sleeping in, but 25 years of getting up at 6 am for school, ruined that superpower.  When I’m up, I take my pills, stoke the fire, change the water in the Keurig and Sparky’s bowl, start the coffee and take my shower.

After that, I have my coffee and see what outrage the internet presents. 

I can hear when Sparky gets up.  Dogs and cats have a luxurious way of starting the day.  Sparky is my only data point, but they probably all do it.  Sparky leaves his warm nest, has a long stretch and a big yawn.   He’d scratch his balls if he had hands and balls.

Sparky resents my time on the computer, so I get up and try to look busy when he comes out.  When I sit with my coffee in the solarium, Sparky comes over to get on my lap.  We talk for a little while.

Today, Sparky is alert and watching for developments outside that he might have to piss on.  It’s Sunday, so a few cars are pulling in the back entrance of the church.  Sparky is not worried, but he may need to investigate later.  Maybe take a shit in the grass next to that back entrance, just so they know the score.

That’s it.  Eventually, we go out to take a whiz and the day starts.