WESTSIDE — Recently, I experienced one of “those” mornings and it left me feeling baffled and exasperated and running behind. Just why this unusual - at least at my house - phenomenon struck on this particular morning is no less a mystery to me than crop circles or UFOs and might even be instigated by similar forces. Once it started, I couldn’t seem to do a thing to stop it. It just had to run its course, and I am glad to say it only took one morning.

The night before was as ordinary as any other. Before crawling into bed, I walked into my closet and chose what I would wear the next morning. Still on the hangers, the pieces of the next day’s outfit were raised side-by-side to re-affirm that the clothes matched and the outfit was complete. Then, I separated those garments from the others to make them easy to grab the next morning when it came time to get dressed for work. Having something picked out and ready to wear always helps get the day off to a smoother start.

Wait, did I say “always?” Well, I shouldn’t have said “always,” because once in a blue moon the system fails.

The next morning started off as usual. After showering and drying my hair, I grabbed the pre-chosen outfit. I was dressed in no time only to be stopped in my tracks when I passed by the full length mirror near the bathroom door. The blouse and pants set that seemed a perfect match the night before obviously didn’t this morning. I headed to the closet for another try. After changing blouses, I stepped in front of the mirror only to realize that this choice was no better than the first and I had to try again. Unfortunately, the third time was not a charm, and I began to wonder what had happened in my closet overnight. Did anything behind that door “match” anymore? Even items I had worn together before didn’t pass the full-length mirror test today. At this point, my hair was suffering the effects of having too many things pulled over my head, and it would have to have some more attention. I glanced at the clock to see that time was ticking away; still I hadn’t settled on what to wear. I changed my approach and switched to a different pair of pants. This outfit was acceptable but now the shoes didn’t work. I tried on another pair, which weren’t “right” either.

Under time pressure, I resorted to the one-shoe-at-a-time test while standing like a flamingo in front of the mirror. Finally, I settled on something and gave my hair a quick redo just in time to head out for the day. The hodge-podge of hangers and rejected clothing now laying on my bed, and the extra shoes scattered around the bedroom floor, would have to wait where they were until I returned that evening.

I have since talked to other women who have had the same curious experience but none of us know why. When getting dressed is no big deal for 90 mornings in a row, why is there a day every now and then when nothing seems to work? Is it me … my clothes … closet gremlins … or, maybe just a reminder that Murphy’s Law can kick in anytime it takes a notion?

In any case, I survived it and things seem to be back to normal. If I am wearing miss-matched outfits these days, my mirror is keeping quiet and my friends and family have been too kind to point it out. So, until that “thing” happens again, both my morning routine and my wardrobe are seemingly back on track.

Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech-language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at awalkinthepark50 @ yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 02/02/2011