Daffodil

I have a new boarder in my home, a baby boomer named Russell. Russell is a sweet and chatty man with a body type that evokes a hug response.

Emmy Lou has tried different ways to show affection, concern and acceptance of him as part of "the pack", all to no avail as Russell is a confirmed cat person. All of us are still in that breaking in period, learning habits and schedules and preferences.

I'd forgotten to thank Russell on Sunday afternoon, arriving back home from working retreat weekend, that the sounds coming from his room made me smile. I heard the familiar bounce of a French chanteuse, that Piafian combination of background musicians, that transported me mentally to a sidewalk Parisian cafe in May (April is often still a bit brisk for me).

Yesterday afternoon reeked of Spring..cloudless blue sky with the sun so bright and omnipresent. As Russell's car was at my mechanic I drove him to his various appointments. Mid-way through the day I had the option to get outside and accomplish at least a few overdue chores. The singular drawback was a significant wind. I was about to give in to comfort rather than industriousness when I saw it: a lone daffodil on the far side of the driveway entrance to the house.

The burst of yellow popped my inner grey balloon and I went to gear. I put a few groceries away, put on Emmy's collar and we went outside. It took little to get her into doggie overdrive - that exuberant explosion of joy and speed where a dog zooms around in circles trying to evade you...or simply run as fast as she can for the sheer pleasure of it. While she explored some possible rabbit habitats on the property I dismantled the trees of their extended lodgers: an extended strand of blue lights. Next we ventured into the back yard and while Em was checking the perimeter of the yard for any interlopers I did doggie duty. In my search for all things to be eliminated I pulled dead leaves off of fledgling hyacinths and encountered an entire row of white and yellow daffodils, standing in riveted attention, trumpets poised despite the bracing wind. With more of the leaves gone I expect to see the crocus cracking the soil any minute now.

God has a way of planting sunshine here and there just when we need it. All we need to do is rake off a few leaves, turn toward the Son and breathe deeeeply. Ahhhhhhh!