Saturday, October 24, 2020

Senior Moments: What’s that hanging around outside my bedroom window at 3 a.m.?

I heard the noise just as Lark finished her Downward Dog stretch. This is strange enough for a cat, but she ends it with a perfect arched-back yoga pose called the Cat. Since I never mastered either of these in yoga class, I am in awe, to say nothing of envious. I momentarily consider getting down on the floor and giving the dog cat poses another try. Then I hear the noise again.

It was a scratchy rustling sound. I got out of bed and opened the window to peer out at the 3 a.m- ness of the night. You may notice that 3 a.m. is my go-to time when I talk about the middle of the night. That’s because when you can’t sleep it always feels like three in the morning. And who wants to turn on the light and search for reading glasses to see the clock at that hour.

Back at the window, I saw the noisemaker. Hanging from the camellia bush, Illuminated by the solar light on the side of the garage, was either a small person or a large animal. As I gasped, Lark joined me at the window. I didn’t know whether to call the police or animal control. I could walk out on the deck and take a closer look. Or not. I decided on not.

I’m not sure exactly why I decided to turn on the TV, maybe just for the company (sorry Lark), but I wanted to hear a human voice. Preferably not one coming from whoever or whatever was hanging on my bush. CNN was doing a replay of the presidential debates. Not the most calming aid for an already overstimulated mind.

I began wondering if it had been a dream. Maybe I had been asleep after all. Hopefully, because it certainly wasn’t going to happen now.

The morning light revealed a large branch of the oak tree that covers the back yard had snagged on one of the camellia bushes. With the shadows cast from the outdoor lighting, it took on life-like attributes.

I remember taking a class on the changes the aging body goes through. A takeaway was that distorted vision can sometimes make you misinterpret what you are seeing. Yep, I get it.

Email patriciabunin@sbcglobal.net follow her on Twitter @patriciabunin

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