Welcome to bedtime stories for grown-ups, in which nothing much happens.

You feel good, and then you fall asleep. I'm Catherine Nikolai.

I write and read all the stories you hear on nothing much happens.

Audio engineering is by Bob Wittersheim.

My book, also called Nothing Much Happens, is available wherever books are sold.

Thank you for your support.

Now let me explain how to use this podcast.

When left to its own devices, your mind will wander endlessly, rehashing and what-ifing

into the we hours. We need to give it a soft place to land.

That's what the story is.

And once the mind settles, your nervous system can switch over into rest and digest mode.

And you'll sleep.

All you need to do is follow along with the sound of my voice and the simple shape of the story.

I'll read the story twice and I'll go a little slower the second time through.

If you find yourself awake in the middle of the night, you could listen again or just think your way back through any part of the story that you can remember.

Especially any detail that felt particularly cozy to you. It'll reroute your mind back to the landing

spot. And before you know it, you'll be waking up tomorrow, feeling refreshed and rested.

Our story this week is called The Hardware Store. And it's a story about finding all the right things for a few projects at home.

It's also about stacks of fresh sawwn wood, a packet of peanut butter cups, and the ride home with the window down.

It's time to turn off the light. Set aside anything you've been working on or looking at.

Snuggle down into your sheets. or looking at.

Snuggle down into your sheets and get as comfortable as you can.

...