Downpour

I used to go to work at 4 p.m., which I really liked. I had all day to do my own thing: shopping, gardening, dog-walking and, most important, napping. I got really good at the 20-minute lie-down at 3 p.m.; just enough shut-eye to rev me up again for the evening.

Now I work at 1:30, and while I've been good at getting up earlier to compensate, I'm always pushing the clock ("Crap, is it time to go already?!"). Yet every day I still feel like I need a time-out, usually right about 4:30. The squishy wrist rest in front of my computer starts to look more and more like a pillow, and it's all I can do not to put my head down on it. That's usually when I get up and walk to the coffee shop for a double latte.

So when I have a day off, going with the impulse (if sleepiness can be called that) is a real pleasure. The new window seat is an ideal napping spot, with a firm mattress and lots of pillows, and room for the dog, too.

Today was a good napping day because it was hot out, but the new swamp cooler is doing its job. There was thunder rumbling in the distance, which I find soothing. I conked out for a couple of hours, had some bizarre dreams, and woke up to a sun shower with hail.

The downspout off the front porch was gushing, while across the street it was sunny. No rainbow, though; I checked.

Guess I should go be productive now.