Friday, January 9, 2009

Turning off the flashlight

I love to read. I am a "read-aholic." No doubt about it. I'll accept almost anything as an excuse to read. I can put off cleaning the kitchen, sweeping/mopping the floors, television, even working on my computer, just for the chance to immerse myself in a fictional world populated with marvelous characters.

When I was a kid, I had a flashlight. One of the things I always did with my babysitting money was buy batteries for my flashlight. Then, after the lights were out in the house (about 9:00 - 10:00, depending on my age), I'd sneak out my flashlight, fumble for my book, and duck under the covers to read my latest treasure.

When I think back on it, I'm amazed I didn't get caught. But, the floors were pretty squeaky, and the bed covers thick, so I could quickly douse the light, or aim it at the mattress, and pretend I was asleep.

Of course, I could only read so much before my eyes, despite my best efforts to the contrary, would begin to close, and I knew my nighttime affair was almost done. What did I do? I read faster! But, eventually, the sleep would tickle my nose, close my eyes, and I'd be out for the count. But, first, turning off the flashlight and setting my book to the side so it would be ready for my next visit, whether daytime or nocturnal.

I LOVE reading!

7 comments:

CoganBooks said...

This takes me back to my childhood! I didn't have a flashlight but I would sit by the window until I couldn't see the page any more.

Beth Groundwater said...

Do you really think you weren't "caught"? ;) I did the same thing, but I suspect that my parents were happy that I was reading if I wasn't sleepy, so they left me alone with the flashlight under the blanket. I tended to do the same with my kids--unless I woke up in the middle of the night and saw the soft glow of a light down the hall.

Bob Sanchez said...

What a nice post. I'll bet your parents were on to you and were happy about your reading.

Sally Murphy said...

love this post. Brings back memories. My own kids 'sneak' a read at night - and I must confess I pretend not to know. Why spoil their fun?

Christine Rose said...

My husband still reads with a flashlight under the covers :-D

Chester Campbell said...

I wish we could get our grandson to read with a flashlight or any other way. He got a bad start in school, which is one reason we have him, and reads below grade level.

Enjoyed your blog, though.

Mark Phillips said...

In middle school and high school I always went to the library instead of lunch. I got an extra hour of reading in plus I could buy more books with the lunch money my parents thought I used to buy sustenance. I didn't feel like I was cheating them since I considered I was getting sustenance far more important than mere food. When I got to graduate school and my metabolism changed, I started gaining weight like crazy. I made sure that I only carried cash enough for a couple of used books and I always visited the used book store before a meal. It worked perfectly.