I most often awaken, without an alarm, at 6:30 a.m. It’s tougher to achieve while it’s still dark, while the turning world jams winter whether we like it or not. I made it today with the help of a dog who wanted to be fed. To be awakened by licks on my face isn’t a bad way to go. We love our dog – he’s a cool dood.

But he’s lucky I put the correct ingredients – and their amounts for his best health – when he pushes his appetite on me before I’ve had coffee.

Each day is a struggle to sweeten my coffee with precision. I use Agave Syrup but seldom achieve the right dose, so adjustments consume up to five minutes. A time waste for someone in need of the caffeine jolt to think.

Coffee down my throat, dog fed, I see my husband off to the gym by 7:00. Then I make the first mistake of the day: I log onto Facebook… and remain there until 7:45. An hour gets frittered away.

After I consume the mug of coffee, I move on to tea. There’s seldom an error when making my preferred daily tea with the healthy green and a sweet & spicy tea bug. By now I’ve swallowed my morning dozen pills that make my aging body run as optimally as possible.

I realize I’m citing first-world problems, which leads me to the final error I’ll confess: taking my good fortune for granted. I am dazzled by life’s generosity. It isn’t an allegory, it’s just a gift, a premium of being born an American.

What about you?