A Country Girl’s Day

Waking up to jays and mockingbirds singing the praises of the ripe, purple-black mulberries too profuse to hide under the verdant thicket of leaves as large as plates.

Gathering yellow and gold nasturtiums from Mother's garden to take inside and arrange in a cut glass dish on the polished wooden table.

Sitting by the goldfish pond in the afternoon heat to look for the golden fish hiding under the water lettuce, listening to the sound of the katydids.

Washing dishes in a sink full of warm suds, watching the green lizards crawl lazily across the screened window and happily daydreaming

Stretching out on the cushioned swing, shaded by enormous twin camphor trees, reading a book about far away places like Ireland.

Padding barefoot to the porch through open French doors on a moonlight night, just to see the moon and the jigsaw pattern of light and dark on the freshly cut lawn.

Lifting soft, quiet prayers for peace on earth, then going inside to bed.

Proverbs 23:26 - My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.



* Growing up in the late forties in the country was a blessing.