A day or so ago, when I sat at the desk in my bedroom alcove, I saw a motion out of the corner of my eye and turned to look. The white lilac bush next to the fence seemed to be dancing alone in the early morning breeze–everything else was still–waving its limbs as if to catch my attention. I was awe-stricken by the sight–how had I failed to notice that the buds had opened? I was sure the miracle must have happened during the night. It was a blessing, a gift–and of course I entered the experience in my gratitude journal then and there.
How many small beauties to do we miss, for the sheer busyness of our lives?
Quail lined up on the fence, for instance, waiting for the turkeys to move on so they can get to the birdseed scattered on the ground.
My kitty, Jitterbug, who has slept on my bed her entire life, choosing to curl up beside Bernice on my closet floor instead, as if to keep her company? (Bernice, now 15, always slept on my bed, too, but for some reason, she’s been spending her nights on her own soft bed on the closet floor. Does anybody know why?) My only theory is that she’s become incontinent in the last year or so and worries she might have an accident during the night.
The weather has been lovely here, sunny but very cold. I don’t mind that–if the sun shines, I’m happy. Heck, I’m happy when it doesn’t shine, too–as long as I decide to be.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
