An "are we getting old or what?" tale

I don't sleep well and when I do sleep it is light. It is a constant source of frustration and I am sure I bitc_ about it too much. My husband of 42 years really does try not to toss and turn or get up unless he absolutely has to. He knows better (grin). I get nuts if I am awakened.

I guess we had been asleep a few hours when I was awakened by these sounds...at first distant and then as I became alert more pronounced. Shuffle..shuffle..scratch...thump... shuffle..shuffle...scratch...scratch...thump... "WHAT THE??"

I feel his side of the bed --- empty..... Grrrrr. I know not to engage my brain or all will be lost with a few hours of sleep already under my belt. "Ignore it...ignore it.... " "What IS he doing??" I don't want to speak because I still have this crazy foolish belief that maybe I will go back to sleep. But....there it is again...shuffle...shuffle...scratch..thump....shuffle shuffle... And, it truly sounds like whatever is going on is right there IN MY BEDROOM! A few feet away! I give up. All is lost. I call out "John?" ...."JOHN?" No answer.... "JOHN!!" "WHAT are you doing?" Finally after a few seconds of silence came his weak reply.. "I'm lost"

He had gotten up in pitch dark to use the bathroom. Somehow on the way back he turned the wrong way. He was STUCK IN A CORNER!! Every time he turned (shuffle shuffle) and renewed effort to get to bed he hit the adjacent wall (thump) felt his way (scratch scratch) and started all over again in his quest to find the doorway opening.

Is this a sign of things to come? I have to admit -- he looked so sad and embarrassed and repentent once the lamp light caught him standing in that corner in his baggy boxers with the all over airplane print... that I got the best chuckle in a long time. We got up and had jelly sandwiches. Old age here we come.

I thought you all would enjoy a chuckle. Gotta laugh or we'll cry.

Loved it!! And I think we are all headed that way. God bless you for your sense of humor and your husband's timing!!!!

Yes, it was funny then and funny now- but sort of scary if that is what the future holds. Somehow just can't imagine this happening when we were in our 30's.

New Hampshire - that is on my list for trips in the near future. Such a beautiful state.

Years ago we took the kids to Santa Claus Village - in the White Mts. Was that N.H.. The kids loved it.

Yes, Santa's Village is here in NH. I just noticed the coincidence of our towns!!!
Hillsborough New Hampshire is a sleepy little town with only one big store (a grocery store) and one big industry (an Osram/Sylvania manufacturing plant). We have a lot of history here. President Franklin Pierce was born here and we are known for our stone arch bridges over rivers and streams. We do have pizza places and Chinese restaurants and a Dollar Store so I guess we are keeping up with the world. LOL
Can you tell me a bit about your Hillsborough? I know the Charlotte area of NC a little bit but that is about all.

It is STILL there??!!! Wow. I will have to tell the kids - because they now have kids! I can see it like it was yesterday.

Hillsborough.. Well we are minutes from Chapel Hill ( UNC Tarheels) and Duke (Blue Devils) and about 45 min frim Raleigh ( NC State Wolfpack)
About 2.5 hrs from mountains and similiar to the beach.

Indian village excavated in the 80's right in downtown Hillsborough - have had presence for thousands of years. Town incorporated in 1750s.
Small historic town - written up in Southern Living and Martha Stewart ( I think)
One of her proteges opened up 2 eateries here. We have many farm to table fine restaurants and active farms to get fresh produce.

THAT IS MOST OF WHAT I KNOW - now from the web:

Signer of dec of independ lived and buried here
Generals Sherman and Johnson met in Hillsborough many times to discuss peace between N and South
Mary Lincoln's dressmaker lived here ( was enslaved here )
Famous author - Lee Smith lives here
Jill McCorkle, Allan Gurganus, Hal Crowther, Frances Mayes are a few more.

2007 Distinctive destination - one of 12 destinations awarded by National Trust for Historic Preservation
Also:
Active downtown with restaurants, galleries, festivals, art walks, etc. the shopkeepers sometimes put out water bowks for dog walkers! Few times each year ladies night...free chocolate from the candy maker..free wine from the wine shop....bread and cookies from the Co-Op market, hair coupons from the salon..blah blah

I live in the rural buffer about 5 min from downtown. I keep the deer and voles fed and the squirrels and snakes engaged. Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh have all the big stores - thank goodness!