The Whisper...and a challenge

[Mr. Bloom]

Well, the post Ike power was just restored in Bloomington

But, from lemons...sweet lemonade is made!

After last night's ride, with no power, it was easy to justify going to bed early...by 8:30.

As I often do, I woke up about 3:30 AM. But this time, there was no computer, no TV, no light, no ticking clocks, no traffic noise...nothing....

So, I listened to the silence...and it's amazing what you hear in the whisper of silence

To those of you who are Type A like me, I challenge you to try it.

This is not really mediatation (which usually involves a focus) but a true emtiness that enables you to process truths that the static of modern life keeps you from processing.

[OakLeaf]

you're lucky, you had water and could stay at home. Mine just came back on a couple of hours ago too.

A normal morning for me is like the one you had (except for the 3 a.m. part - my body's actually attuned to sunrise, which isn't that early this time of year. Without water, I'm sleeping in a hotel with an eye mask

[wackyjacky1]

Hmmm...in bed at 8:30 and up at 3:30 is pretty much my daily routine (bakery hours).

(Come to think of it, why am I up and sitting at the computer right now? I blame the margaritas I had earlier...)

[tulip]

I find myself awake just before dawn most mornings. I like to stay in bed and listen. Often I hear a screech owl at that time of day. Then I smile and snuggle further into my covers til I really wake up about an hour later.

[Tuckervill]

There are very few places where you couldn't hear at least the distant hum of the vehicles on a local highway. Even if your power is out, someone else's might be on, and then you'd hear the distant hum of their a/c, fridge or something else. I've tried!

Karen

[GLC1968]

Silence? Ha!

With chickens, goats, bison, dogs, cats, coyotes, various wild birds, ceaseless wind and crickets - silence is non-existent in my neck of the woods, even in the absence of power.

[crazycanuck]

When I leave for swimming at about 455am, it's very very quiet in my 'hood yo.

I can normally only hear a kookabura..

[Mr. Bloom]

When I leave for swimming at about 455am, it's very very quiet in my 'hood yo.

I can normally only hear a kookabura..

I'd have to listen REAL hard to hear a kookabura!

[Kvixen23]

I try to have at least 10 minutes of nothingness every morning. After feeding the animals and readying myself for the day I sit with my coffee near at hand and don't do anything. No tv, music, book, nothing. I just sit and enjoy the quiet. It's very nice.

I recently had to ask my husband not to turn the tv on until after I leave the house in the morning b/c he had several days of the same schedule as me. That usually isn't a problem, our schedules syncing up like that, but after two days of having to listen to the tv before going to work I couldn't take. I work with children from ages 0 - 3 all day. I need a few moments of complete and utter silence each day.

Also, In December 2007 we had a huge ice storm that knocked out power to most of the state (Oklahoma). We were out for 3 days, then had it on for almost 24 hours, then off again for 2 days. Our across the street neighbors were out for 9 consecutive days. It was fun to have to revert back to candles at night and going to bed at sunset, waking with the sun. No one could work so we all hung out and played UNO by gas lamp Listening to the sounds of tree limbs cracking and falling under the weight of the ice was both eery and beautiful.

I love and appreciate the sound of silence!!!

[IFjane]

Krista, I am with you on the "no TV or radio in the morning"....or in the evening.....or any time I can have the windows open and hear the music of nature.

Yes, Karen, if I listen VERY hard I can sometimes hear the trucks on Rt. 29 five miles away, but more often than not the sound of the river below my house is louder - and what a wonderful sound that is, tumbling over the rocks.

Right now I hear crickets and a distant dog barking. Occasionally I hear a coyote or deer snorting in the edge of the woods. Like Tulip, one of my favorite sounds is that of a screech owl in the trees above the house. Monday evening I was talking on the phone to my DH (he is working on the left coast) & I ran out on the deck with the cell phone so he could hear a fox barking in the woods! I love hearing the sounds of outside....

[Geonz]

I luv NPR in the morning because it helps me keep track of the time, but aside from that, I don't do background input. I love my quiet house on a street without streetlights. I like to listen to the tomatoes growing

However, I"m a type Z ... ZZZZZ....

[Tri Girl]

I work with children from ages 0 - 3 all day. I need a few moments of complete and utter silence each day.

I work with 10 year olds and I appreciate the silence, too. But maybe not as much as you...
My silent time is during my commute. 1.5 hours of total silence a day- just the sound of the highway humming beneath me.

Also, In December 2007 we had a huge ice storm that knocked out power to most of the state (Oklahoma). We were out for 3 days, then had it on for almost 24 hours, then off again for 2 days. Our across the street neighbors were out for 9 consecutive days. It was fun to have to revert back to candles at night and going to bed at sunset, waking with the sun. No one could work so we all hung out and played UNO by gas lamp Listening to the sounds of tree limbs cracking and falling under the weight of the ice was both eery and beautiful.

I live in OKC, too. That storm was wicked. We lost power for 5 days, and after 2 nights in the freezing cold (no wood burning fireplace) we went to a friend's house. It was cool to play 1800's with candles, tho, and to hear the cracking of limbs. Not something I'd like to repeat.

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver's alarm clock is set to classic rock and heavy metal...my blood pressure goes into orbit for hours being awaken to that!

[crazycanuck]

NOthing like waking up to some accadacaa (that's AC/DC to anyone outside of Australia..), Led Zep, Metallica, KISS or Pearl Jam

*wanders away to go head banging* Sings "ohh Iiiii wanna rock n roll allll niiiiighht"

Don't headbang when dehydrated
Do sing online when no one can hear your horrible voice

[Mr. Bloom]

Do sing online when no one can hear your horrible voice

My blood pressure is elevated just on the image in my head