Well shit. It’s three in the morning, and I have been up all–freaking–day. Like, since 9:30, which is super-duper early in my world. When I woke up this morning, it was to 1960s groove music blaring over a Bose speaker just outside my door, which was technically my friend Bonnie’s door, since I stayed in her guest room last night so we could go on a road trip today. Last night I told Bonnie, “Just knock on my door thirty minutes before you’re ready to hit the road.” But instead of knocking, Bonnie did the loud music thing. There I was in the middle of a dream, and the next thing I knew I was jumping out of my skin as a saxophone blared and Junior Walker and the All Stars sang, “PUT ON YOUR WIG, WOMAN, goin’ out to shake and fingerpop.”

I screamed, “I’m awake! I’m awake!” (And I’ll get my wig.)

After getting around and eating breakfast, Bonnie and I left town for Nashville, which is where her sons live, where her (currently traveling) husband is meeting all of us tomorrow, and where we’re celebrating her birthday. We were on the road all day, and whereas I thought I’d sleep at least a little, I didn’t sleep a bit. Rather, Bonnie and I visited, and I read a book. The drive itself was great, about eight hours, including two stops–one for Waffle House, one for gasoline.

We rolled into town about 7:30 and visited briefly with Bonnie’s son Ben and his wife Mallory. (We’re staying with them.) But then I showered and took off to meet another friend of mine who happens to be in town this weekend. (A happy coincidence.) So we caught up for a couple hours, then I came back to Ben and Mal’s and visited some more. (So much visiting today.) Now it’s three in the morning, and I’m flat wore out. My skull has been mildly throbbing all day, and I’m more over this headache than Dorothy was over the rainbow. I mean, WAY over it. But other than that, it’s been a fabulous day. God knows I love a good road trip, and, y’all, Nashville is a happening place. Even before we got to Little Rock today, I thought, This is going to be a good weekend. Can’t say why, it’s just a feeling.

HOWEVER, Mallory does keep her house the temperature of a meat locker, so I’m currently freezing my ass off. Like, in this moment, as we speak, and right now, I have a blanket around my shoulders. I look like my grandma, all wrapped up with a shawl about my neck. I’m shivering. This doesn’t change my good feeling about the weekend, but I am going to need to keep this blanket with me in order to stay warm.

Or more tequila.

Okay, that’s it. I’ve got to get some rest. Almost a year ago I was here in Nashville celebrating Bonnie’s birthday (it’s an annual occurrence) and was just starting this blog. We’d tour around the city, party all night, then I’d stay up until sunrise writing. And whereas I could do that night, I won’t do that tonight. I NEED to sleep. So I’m going to sleep, even though I haven’t spilled every detail about today or shared every thought in my head. Because here’s what I’ve learned in a year. It’s okay to go easier on yourself, to not push-push-push, to wake up to dance music, simply have a good day, and not make it any more complicated than that.