I've heard it said that life itself becomes simpler as we age.
I'm not so sure about that one, at least not yet, but I do know that it's often the simplest things I enjoy most: the view of the sea, hot coffee in my dinosaur mug, soft pillows and warm blankets, and the restful company of Miss Poppy the Neighbour Cat.
There are some benefits to being semi-retired, and sleeping in is one of them. It's been very chilly the past few mornings, hard to rouse oneself from the warm comfort of the covers, at least not before there is a hint of the sun rise behind the curtains.
When I was working full time for an international air express company, I would launch myself out of bed at 4.40am and be on the road to the airport by 5.45am. These days, I can hardly believe I used to do that. I am a 'morning person', always have been, but getting up that early is definitely a thing of the past.
Let's face it. Our bodies need the comfort. Old bones like the warmth of snuggly blankets. Cats do too and if Poppy has been sneaky enough, hiding where I cannot find her, she takes full advantage of the blankets covering anyone who is still in bed, whether that is me or a guest.
Cats are opportunists and I am one too. If I see an opportunity to remain in bed for a bit longer, I will take it. On a weekend morning, I'll sometimes scuttle out to the kitchen to fix a cup of coffee, take it back to the bedroom, pull back the curtains so I can enjoy the view of the sea, prop up the pillows, and - eh luxury! - snuggle in again, often with a book or two.
Simple pleasures, that's right.