Insomnia is not one of them! Oh to be a cat able to sleep anytime anywhere.
At least if you find yourself wide awake at 3am in our house there’s always a feline friend who will come and keep you company. Bless you Mikey, asleep next to me as I tap away at the kitchen table trying to induce sleep.
This post is rather random but it’s a random hour so what can you expect? The title of it was inspired by a Facebook conversation with my friend Anita and I was reminded of it when I caught a glimpse of this photo in my sidebar just now.
reasons to be cheerful: 1 – grub-free harvest. Autumn picked veggies without summer grub surprises.
reasons to be cheerful: 2 – lucky escapes. G skidded on ice a few weeks ago; he’s fine and the insurers have agreed the repair the car, phew. 
reasons to be cheerful: 3 – simple pleasures. We took the train to Birmingham this week and strolled around the Christmas Market before stopping for a warming bowl of noodle soup at Wagamamas.
reasons to be cheerful: 4 – family. Only 12 days until our nephew and niece arrive in England for Christmas (with their mum and dad of course!).
reasons to be cheerful: 5 – music. When you’re not feeling cheerful happy toons and bonkers lyrics will always raise a smile.
”The juice of the carrot, the smile of the parrot, a little drop of claret – anything that rocks… something nice to study, phoning up a buddy”
(‘Reasons to be cheerful’ by Ian Dury and the Blockheads)
© Wagamama for Saien Soba soup
It’s difficult to be cheerful at that time of the morning, it takes practise, I often end up in my kitchen with my pint mug of tea at that time, it’s a lot more cheerful than staying in bed just thinking.
Aw that is so sweet, sorry to hear about George’s icecapade though. Have a lovely day xxxx
Ah yes, the witching hour experience. I’ve (sort of) got used to insomnia, and have coping mechanisms largely based on listening to the radio until I drift off again or just getting up and getting a head start on the day. But I think I should try your “reasons to be cheerful” approach, its a good thing to do periodically anyway, and what better time to do it?! Hope you sleep well tonight…
Glad G was ok – sounds like treacherous driving conditions in the awful winter weather in the UK. And am glad to hear people are visiting the Christmas markets – I have wondered how the Christmas markets in Edinburgh that we used to visit are going with all the snow! (and yes cats are wonderful when you are up in the middle of the night!)
Heart and soul warming x
I’ve thought of more!
Reasons to be cheerful 6. Knowing you are loved by lots of people near and far.
Reasons to be cheerful 7. Christmas = mandatory guilt free chocolate consumption + obligatory daytime snoozing
xxx
Reasons to be cheerful- song lyrics-reminded me of
“She wrote a long letter, on a short piece of paper!”
Margarita- Traveling Wilbury’s
Glad to read G was okay, the ice has been so dangerous.
Ann – a pint mug is a fine reason to be cheerful. I prefer to get up and do something too. Although the radio by the bed is a good suggestion from Janet too.
Angela – could’ve been worse and it certainly makes you count your blessings
Janet – thanks, yep I crashed out last night so hopefully just a random sleep glitch. I did take the radio to bed though just in case! I like the quite reflection time of the wee small hours.
Anita – thanks for the inspiration dear muse ;o
Jas – I love your reasons and we really do feel number 6.
I think I’ve made a head start on 7, the daytime snoozing that is!
Reason to be cheerful 9: lovely people who read my blog and take the time to share their comments so I don’t sound like a loon talking to myself!
MC – ice is worse than snow. Or perhaps that’s just us because we love the excuse to stay curled up inside with a cat on our lap when it snows. Hope you kept well and warm in Scotland – you had it much much worse than we did here.
Have you tried Sufjan Stevens’ Christmas albums? Another very good thing to listen to at any time, including middle of the night- certainly at this time of year!!
oooh, I love Sufjan and was listening to Song of Christmas only yesterday. Time to freshen up my ipod selection…
(ps. I’ve been known to re-discover the CD in the car and play it in the height of summer. It’s just so lovely!)
More than a tad envious that you are near a Wagamama … and very glad that G. was OK, cars can be fixed
we’re not – it was a real treat for us on our day out.
fingers crossed car will be back with us this week
The power of positive thinking comes through on your Blog. What lovely reasons to be cheerful. I count myself lucky to have you as a friend. Hope you have your car back now. Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year x
ditto Bren :o)
Hope you’re feeling better now – look forward to catching up in the new year.