Tag: routine

daily prompt, Just writing

Cats’ Routine

nhpureandsimple

What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?

A month or two ago, my son’s friend brought his cat home for a short visit while he was travelling abroad. Actually it was my suggestion. I was both excited and relieved as a few days won’t form a strong bond between you and your favourite pet—cats. 

Cats seem to have an anticlockwise routine, right? 

They sleep most of the day, and stay awake all the night.

Perhaps yours is different, but the ones I’ve had the honour to befriend have always followed that routine.

So, when the cat arrived safe and sound, she ran and disappeared behind the sofa.

Expected.

The place was new and so we were.

A few hours later, night fell, and she was still hiding. 

I tried to give her food, but she didn’t eat.

I cradled her in my arms, but she leapt away and disappeared behind the same place.

I closed the door and left her in peace.

But there was no peace.

The big fun began—

noise echoed downstairs.

running,

sliding

and jumping.

‘That’s the cat,’ I told my daughter, couldn’t help laughing at her panicked face .

In the morning, we were the ones making the hustle and bustle, and the cat watched us with heavy lids, and half closed eyes.

But by afternoon, she was full of energy.

After stretching her four limbs, and letting out this wide, funny yawn, she jumped and stood onto the windowsill.

Like a hawk, she watched the birds, the flies, and perhaps other creatures we can’t see.

Her tail swayed, and eyes shone as if she was plotting how to catch them for dinner.

A bit later, she tiptoed around the house, exploring every room and corner. 

Then she slipped back to her hiding place, curling into her catnap, until it was our turn to go to bed and leave her free to have all the fun she wanted.

Sometimes I wonder if cats can ever skip their catnap? 

But I think that would hardly happen.

Honestly if there’s one thing I wish I could add to my routine, it would be the catnap, but then it would be the hardest thing to skip.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

daily prompt

Meals Routine—Past and Present

nhpureandsimple

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had?


I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, following a traditional meals routine. I still remember the mouthwatering flavours, the warm gatherings, and the funny moments. But, I no longer follow that routine—not because I don’t want or because I can’t. It’s simply because it just slipped out of my days as the years went on and on.

So, back then in Egypt, we used to have three meals a day: breakfast, dinner, and supper. But, of course, there were lots of snacks and desserts in between. Not to mention the roasted peanuts and pumpkin seeds during those long summer nights—whether out in the balcony or inside as we gathered around the television.

Our breakfast and supper were usually light and simple: tea, milk, and a cheese or jam sandwich made with fresh bread straight from the bakery.

Breakfast usually started early, around six or seven in the morning, since everything else began early too. We’d eat in a hurry so we wouldn’t be late for school, university, or work. Then, we had another full breakfast around ten during the mid-morning recess. Supper was usually by eight or nine at night.

Dinner was the main meal with traditional Egyptian dishes. We always had it by half past three when the whole family was home—father back from work and children from school. Back then, my family never dined out or ordered in. But of course, we did have dinners with relatives and friends — especially during the holidays.

When I moved with my husband to the UK, that traditional routine changed, not immediately, but gradually. So, instead of the two breakfasts, we have just one. Then we were introduced to lunch at noon, followed by the late afternoon dinner that kicked out supper from our routine. Still, we remained faithful to having snacks and desserts in between.

Now, food is another story in my break from the traditional meal routine— please understand that was entirely unintentional. It began with cornflakes and toast, which (thanks to my children) became part and parcel of our daily life, just as essential as water and air. Praise the Lord, they no longer crave any.

I love cooking and baking—and, of course, I love Egyptian food. But… though our dinners are usually home –made, we dine out every now and then. Besides, our traditional food is not one hundred percent traditional. Perhaps because the food and flavours are not the same. But, that’s also because I’ve started creating new meals, following my own simple recipes.

Thank God, my food, in most cases, turns out delicious, and my family devours it all.

When it comes to food, there’s some sort of flexibility to change your traditional routine.

Am I right?

I think I am.

With hope and peace,

Nahla

Just writing

Early to bed

nhpureandsimple

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

“Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Such a beautiful saying that encourages us to make full use of each day in our life.

Rising up with the sun, or better yet, a little before, makes the day so long that even the laziest person on earth will find himself with something to do.

People in olden times used to bake, cook, clean, and do all other housework, as well as outdoor chores before sunset. They would get up before sunrise and go to bed straight aftersunset. With no electricity, no takeaway meals, and no cleaners, they still lived and accomplished more than we do nowadays. And, they socialised every now and then, read books, and maintained close family ties.

It’s a good idea to make and follow your own routine. Since we are different, we will have different priorities and schedules. It would be wonderful if we all manage to keep this ‘early to bed, early to rise’ rule.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla