Hugging Sunrises: Day 2
I opened my eyes before the 5:30 AM alarm went off, causing my phone to erupt into the Chicken Wing jingle. No grogginess or trying to talk myself into dragging myself out of bed. Coffee was on the brain, but not before my preferred wakeup beverage. My final actions the night before went like so:
I added muddled mint, sliced cucumber, and a squirt of lime juice to a tall glass then filled it up with spring water. The glass hung out in the fridge overnight allowing the flavors to infuse.
Next, I took an iron supplement and went to bed.
This concoction resembles a mojito, especially after adding club soda. No rum allowed. Call it a no-tito. The early hydration is a crucial component of the morning checklist. It wakes the body up and gets the blood pumping.
I drank my morning mocktail and fed the dogs. They are on board with earlier breakfast as opposed to 7:30–8ish. Before implementing the new routine, my alarm clock had four legs. After I’d snoozed through all three alarms, he pawed at me to let me know he needed breakfast.
Once I’d fed the dogs and brewed my coffee, I mulled over what next. My bike stared at me from the foyer where it stood idle since before the surgery. Now free from the stitches, I decided to get back in the saddle. I drank my coffee and suited up to ride.
I returned half an hour later feeling energized. My mint and basil out front appeared thirsty, so I watered both after rehydrating myself. My coffee had cooled to room temperature, so I re-heated it and settled in to watch the morning news and write.
That’s all I have for right now. It’s definitely a work in progress. Then again, isn’t everything? Some days are going to be more productive than others. Physical activity seems to be what the brain needs to generate words on the page. Having never been one to work out first thing in the morning, my writing output suffered from terrible habits.
I drank too much over these past two years. A lot of us have fallen down that rabbit hole. Surgery forced me to abstain from alcohol and I feel more clear-headed as a result. Many famous writers have histories of alcoholism. There’s a common misconception that drinking and creativity go together like peas and carrots. I’ve had more ideas over the past two weeks than the past two years.
