things

The alarm on the 'phone sounds, fumble, and then concentrate to touch the correct position on the small screen to silence the inane jingle. 

The rain has stopped, there is the sound of dripping from all the gutters and eaves in the neighbourhood. It is a pleasant thought that nature has taken over the chore of watering the plants in the courtyard for today.

Relax for half an hour, pure indolence and laziness takes over. Then get up, go downstairs, go to the loo, feed the cat and make breakfast. Breakfast has become such an important anchor for the day. Eggs on toast, and today an avocado pear.

Before going downstairs again make up the bed.

Enjoy a shower, taking the trouble to wash all the sleep and so forth down the drain. Then, with washed hair and still in pyjamas start checking the details for the train journey to meet the departure next week. There is excitement at the thought of leaving for Dublin and taking pictures of the brothers construction in the Phoenix Park.

Smoke blows past the window, somebody, a neighbour, has started using their stove. Shortly after the seeing the smoke become aware of the smell of burning firewood. 

The bells outside have stopped ringing, it is ten in the morning and there are things that need to be done.