The nightly ritual

Up since 2.30 a.m. (now as I type 4.45 a.m.).

Despite pain killing tablets - so in pain that even though I considered this nightly getting-up practise, 'unhealthy' - might as well do it as it looked as though I'd never get back to sleep. Funny but I still don't think I'll ever be a long-term insomniac ... When this frozen shoulder thing is gone (it must go sometime I hope) I'll go back to normal - caressing the pillow, loving the fact that I can sleep for as long and as deeply as I ever did before.

I had some inspiration in these early hours to write a child's story as there on the patio, motionlass, with one outstretched leg, my outbound cat glancing briefly towards it, was a large brown toad.

I several times gently stroked his back and as I even approched, he puffed himself (or herself) up but relaxed again when I stopped stroking. I thought he and I, like my cat and I, had an understanding, I would not hurt him and he would not hurt me.

I am feeling tired again but I will dream-up a little child story and see what it looks like again tomorrow (which is actually today now at almost 5 a.m.).