Quiet of the night

I am a night owl. I am at my most creative late at night or in the wee hours of the morning before the sun comes up. The house is quiet. Everyone I know is at home sleeping so I know they are not going to call me and interrupt my thoughts. Sounds I hear are those of my computer motor humming as the little fan inside it twirls to keep it cool and the clicking as I type on my keyboard. There is an occasional gust of wind outside that whips around the outside of the house and shakes the rafters at times causing popping sounds that startle me.

I guess I got to liking the late night hours after having children. After I put them to bed after a day full of activity and lots of work and play, and after my husband had gone to sleep, the night hours were mine. I knew I would be tired the next day from staying up late, but for me having my own time to think and be alone was more precious than sleep. I still feel that way. I can get by on little sleep, but I cannot survive without time for myself, undisturbed.

What do I do with this free time? I read, I work on writing my short stories and poetry, I blog, I draw, I paint, or I just sit and think about things. I often reminisce, think about how fast time goes and wonder if I will grow to be very old. Wondering how I can ever do all the things I want to do in life.

There isn't much time for these things during daylight hours. Too many distractions and disturbances. Too many errands to run, shopping and phone calls to answer. The light of day and the activity it brings actually makes it harder to see, hear and think. It is in the late night hours when everything becomes clearer.