Well, today had to be some sort of milestone.
I fell asleep sittin in a chair.
My Grand maw and Grand paw slept sitting up. I watched my parents age and do the same thing along with aunts and uncles.
It appears that nighty-night time looms if you are old enough and sit down for long enough. The ratio of time needed to slumber decreases with accumulated birthdays as does the effect of background noise. Holidays and such where there is a big gathering always induces elder relatives that are up-right and drifting off.
See, there are perks with age. If a young person falls asleep sitting up there is something wrong. They are under the influence, need a nap or a doctor. When you are olden you don't need a reason. That is the reason.
My Grand paw and Uncle Joe used to nod off with regularity on the front porch swing. We girls would watch and giggle while keeping a running tab of who was sawin logs first.
Needless to say no-body ever admits it.
One summer Sunday afternoon Uncle Joe was snoring like a loud freight train. Wind gusts slowly rocked his chair in the late day light. My mother and her sisters could be heard banging around in the kitchen with George Strait's handsome voice in the background of it all. Lucy Lou and I perched at our bedroom window above, playing cards. My Aunt Suzi slams the screen door below and confronts her hubby. "Joe are you nappin? Joe? Joe, wake up."
"Wha-wha? What?" he says with no concern.
We look down as our sweet Uncle never opens his eyes, all the while acknowledging her.
"Joe are you sleepin?" Suzi asks again. He answers quicker this time, eyes relaxed and shut. "No no I'm not."
"Well, you're snorin!" she insists. Hands on her hips she watches as he drifts back off. Then again..."Joe! You are sound asleep and we ain't even home. Joe wake up."
Still, he never opens his eyes but answers again "Nah, nah I'm just doin some heavy thinkin." Stifling our amusement we laugh quietly as Suzi looks at him in total disbelief and he starts to drift. Our Aunt goes on "Joe, you are snorin. You are sleepin and snorin. You're "thinkin"......yea, what you thinkin bout? Sleepin? Joe you are snorin sure as the sun is gonna set so you gotta be sleepin."
Being married a long time he answers, with his eyes closed. "Nah, it ain't snorin its just heavy breathin....... to go with the heavy thinkin."
