Mary's Heartbeats

What in the world is Goldyn barking at?  I'm squinting and staring hard across the backyard fence from the same vantage point that Goldyn seems to have.  He is in the zone and has picked out his mark.  Finally, I catch a wavy bushy tail upon the fence rail. Goldyn's barking at a squirrel in our yard!  This is definitely a first!  We have had possums, tree rats and cats, but never have we had a squirrel.  In fact, though there are squirrels further from us at the nearby golf range, they have never been a feature of our neighborhood until now.  That first sighting seemed to be a fluke.  I thought the squirrel must have just got lost, but now I'm finding that he's hanging out and in fact seems to have settled into his new home, even in spite of a barking dog. It's been fun to watch his antics.  He found a fresh orange and so enjoyed eating the juicy fruit.  It seems to be one of his favorites, since I have found a few more half eaten or...

I think my days are best lived in the rain.  There is something peaceful and reassuring about watery liquid falling from the sky.  It leaves such a fresh scent and soothes the driest patch of soil.  The sound is calming and seems to bring a thoughtful hush to my mind and heart.  I find myself looking up into the rain, searching for the clouds of gray.  There is no visible break, the clouds surround my world . . . and with them, comes the rain. I think I have gone through life living under an umbrella.  Perhaps, I have shielded myself from pain and hurt that comes from others' choices.  I have tried to even stretch myself to protect the ones offended.  But the reality is the choice has stood despite my feeble efforts of restraint, calm or help.  I'm viewed enabling and the reason for many failed attempts.  So, it's time to close the umbrella and let the rain just fall . . .  Sometimes, we hang on to hope especially if we have a...