Just after 5 AM

My favorite time of day

Walking down Culver Ave. in Utica at 5:30 in the morning. The sun begins to glow on the horizon. The air is cool. No one in sight,  just Shane and I walking quietly down the Parkway.

We enter the parks.  Only one car and one person collecting cans from previous nights soft ball and basketball games.  The mist forms a transparent wall across the playgrounds.

Shane is allowed to run and play off the leash.  Still, no one around.  He runs from tree to tree, from bush to bush, making his way eagerly around the abandoned fields.  It’s his world.  All his own.  He stops, sniffs, then plays catch up as he sprints towards me.  I walk leisurely embracing the silence, the calm, as thoughts of the impending day begin to monopolize my mind.

We walk back home, taking in the deep breaths of clean, unadulterated morning air.  I  contemplate the movements in the trees and wonder how many deer watch us, how many bunnies sit in anticipation of our passing.

Shane walks fast.  He anticipates the ensuing fun.  His favorite game.

We play.  We enjoy the day.

Positive Living  – Elsie Natalie Brady

A new start, a bright new beginning

To start all over again,

In friendship and positive living,

Greeting each day with a song.

So many moments to treasure,

So many joys to give,

A kindness, or bit of pleasure

To scatter and to receive.

Why live one day in regretting

The deeds that were left undone,

Instead, just go right on loving,

And happiness surely will come.

Here’s to the weekend! Hope yours is a good one.

Here's To You! CHEERS.