Midmorning yesterday, the sun broke through the clouds and trees to kiss our pond.

Yesterday afternoon, a male cardinal cracked the shells of sunflower seeds and fed his wife.

Yesterday evening, bluebirds and sparrows bathed and preened, ruffling wet feathers to blow-dry in the breeze.

Last night, fireflies pricked the shadows of the deep woods.

Early this morning, deer darted away from the threat of the opening curtains.

Right now, pink clouds race against an unsettled sky, and the emerald forest waves goodbye to each wind-gust blowing through.

And I looked up from my manuscript, from Facebook, from my inexhaustible list of emails long enough to catch sight of real life in action.