Seeing Things

“Is that Tom?”

“Where?”

“Walking through the garden toward the backdoor.”

“It couldn’t be, Tom isn’t home.”

The two neighbor women stood at the corner of the house looking down the hill to the riotous flower garden at the back of the yard.  Unsure what she saw Liz, followed by Beth, headed down the side of the house.

Both women studied the empty expanse of yard.  Liz shook her head, a sense of unease creeping over her as she turned to look at her friend.

“See, no one is here.”  Beth said.

“I’m sure I saw someone in the backyard.”

Not My Best

I have to admit today’s story is not my best work.  I woke up early this morning still tired from a busy day yesterday and even after a couple of cups of coffee, I still felt not quite awake.  After starting a couple of different trains of thought and looking back at previous stories, I looked down at my dog Bella asleep on the floor next to my chair and started writing a description of her as a way to get me going.  It worked, in a way, I wrote a story I felt was okay and posted it. 

I am amazed at how the events of daily life, both the expected and unexpected can impact the work we do.  If things get out of hand, things as simple as the dishes not getting done because of phone calls, or a last minute run to the grocery store to pick up a bottle of milk, it starts this cascade of out of control feelings leaving us with the overwhelming feeling of running, like Alice In Wonderland, as fast as we can without getting anywhere. 

Yet, we have work to do, so we do the best we can, get caught up on our sleep, take a deep breath and clean up the kitchen.  Slowly, our life gets back to a semblance of normal and we gain some breathing room allowing us to focus, to push forward and reach for our goals.  This time confident in our ability to achieve what we set out to achieve. 

Sleeping Dogs

Puppy sleeping on the floor, curled up in a ball of fur, so warm and soft and still.  Nearby her companion sprawls flat on his side with paws extended.  Unmoving they sleep, dog one and dog two, for hours on end waiting for their master to come home.

The sound of a car in the drive brings them awake, scrambling to their feet and racing to the door.  They crowd together at the window next to the door, tails wagging and excited vocalizations coming from the backs of their throats as they watch their owner walk up to the house. 

Monday Morning

Coffee!  The fuel of get-up-and-go!  The energy of accomplishment!  The source of strength to face Monday morning! 

With the first sip I feel the caffeine slipping through my bloodstream charging my brain cells, waking me up and bringing the world into focus.

The warmth of the mug in my hand calls up memories of sipping the hot brew on the deck at the lake.  The lonesome call of a Loon reverberates through my mind as I sit with my eyes closed preparing myself for the demands of the workweek.

Fortified I open my eyes, log in and begin to type.

Nighttime Awakening

Bang!  The entire house shook with the resounding crash of thunder as the couple was jolted out of a sound sleep.  Through the blinds splashes of light could be seen pulsing as streaks of lightening danced across the sky.

Outside they could hear the wind whipping the tree branches around and a drumming on the deck.

“Is that hail?”

Covers are tossed aside and bare feet touch the floor.  She padded across the floor and lifted the blind.  Pea-sized pieces of ice were scattered across the wooden surface.

“Yes, pea-sized.  It’s a good thing the car is in the garage.”

At Peace

At the end of the dock a breeze caresses her face.  She gazes out across the bay of water letting her eyes sweep along the shoreline of the island opposite her until they come to the end of the land.  The expanse of water between one island and the next lures the eye further out into the vastness of the lake.

Humps of tree covered islands of rock dot the water, one behind another, disappearing into the hazy horizon call out in a wild voice, inviting her to come and explore the secret coves and inlets of the rocky shore.