Awakened by the second-most jarring sound ever known to rouse a person from a deep weekend slumber, I slapped the air around my bedside table to silence the foghorn alarm. Instead of jumping into the day, I relaxed back into my pillows, having given myself nine blissful minutes to wonder if the fog in my brain would have lifted more fully if my phone had an alert facsimile of the most jarring sound of all  — the watery retching of a beloved pet.

I am fully awake by the time the snooze feature resets and reminds me I will have to hustle if I want to shower, dress, and grab the essential caffeinated first-light cocktail that will accompany me on the road to my destination.

“It’s going to be a great........

© The Saratogian