This morning, after I got over being distressed about the scent of smoke in the air and the blanket of it hovering over my island, I took note of a few nicer things. For one, my bougainvillea has finally decided to blossom its heart out - I love the bright splashes of color all around my deck. I guess the sages were right that it was the chilly winter that made them so shy. Then as I stood admiring them, I saw a cardinal and his wife fly past. I followed their path and they stopped for a rest in the branches of my palm tree. I'm not sure where they are nesting, not many choices this close to the beach, but their bright red color was another pretty addition to my morning. The tide was out, too, which meant I started my day with a long walk on the beach. Duffy took himself in swimming and I found a sand dollar and two cone shells - not long vacated and still shiny, unscuffed by the sand and sea. My hammock beckons, but I must get some writing done before succumbing to that lure. I hope you all have as beautiful a day. (p.s. pray for rain to put out all those brush fires that are creating the smoke and threatening property.)