And Then . . . There Were None.

We’ve all heard the expression silence is golden and I happen to believe that is a true statement. I love quiet. I look forward to that special time of the day, right after breakfast, when all of my guests have either checked out for other exciting places, or gone out exploring for the day, and my husband leaves for work. I feel like I have space to move and I can breathe.

Not that I’m claustrophobic mind you, nor do I mind people or crowds. In fact, it’s pretty cool being in the kitchen in the morning and listening to the guests share stories and chat about their vacations; dishes clinking, laughter, different voices melding into one.

But, there’s something special about the quiet after everyone leaves that I find refreshing and soothing. I look forward to the calm after the breakfast rush. One by one the couples say their good-byes and leave. Eventually, none remain. That’s when the house takes on a whole new quality of likability for me.

 

Being an innkeeper, I’m learning to treasure those precious few hours in the middle of the day when quiet invades the house and I’m at peace. I know it’s never really completely quiet, because there’s the hum of the refrigerator, the gentle whir of the air conditioner, the squawk of a bird outside, and the occasional comforting creak of an old well-loved house, but for the most part, it’s quiet. Sometimes I just sit, close my eyes and enjoy the sound of silence. The picture below is how I see silence in my mind.

 

Ever notice how some people are just naturally loud? I’m not talking about voices necessarily, although there are some people who project whether they want to or not, I’m talking about their entire presence and every action. It’s not even something those folks are aware of, they just make their presence known by simply being. Some people don’t close doors, they slam them. Some people don’t open doors, they fling them. Some people can’t rummage in a drawer or closet without waking the dead. Some people pound on a keyboard, others gently tap. Some people have a heavy tread when they walk. Others are light on their feet and can sneak up on you and scare the bejesus out of you. It’s part of our make-up. It’s not something most people conscientiously think about. Except me. I try to walk lightly and leave little noise pollution.

Quiet is not for everyone. Some people can’t work or sleep it it’s too quiet. Some folks have to have the radio or TV on “for company,” or “white noise.” A lot of people wear ear buds and listen to their favorite tunes during the day. Not me. Especially if I’m trying to sleep. It has to be quiet. I thrive in quiet, peaceful situations.

That picture is a prime example of how my house would look every single night if my husband has his way and kept a TV in the bedroom. Nope. Not going to happen.

However, I do sometimes like some soft background music when I’m writing. I try to find something in the new age genre and let it work its magic. Usually no lyrics because then, I listen. If I find myself listening to the music, then it gets turned off. Sometimes the sound of silence is the most beautiful sound of all.

How about you readers, do you cherish the quiet moments. Do you crave quiet or do you function better with some kind of sound? Can you sleep with the TV on?

Word of the Day: Joual

Fun fact about me: I like all-you-can-eat buffets.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2017. Photos courtesy Google Images.

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