The reflection of the sky in the quiet and still lake showed one cloud as it floated on towards the river.   I traipsed knee-deep through the lake just because I could . . . stepping gingerly over the round rocks on my unshod feet . . . ouch . . .  A branch poked into my leg.   I wonder why I didn’t see it . . . the lake is so clear.   That was silly of me.   One would think I would have seen it.

What a beautiful day it is.   I breathe deeply and can smell the forest of pine trees, the sweetness of the grass; I can hear the sound of the water flowing down the rapids as the lake pours its soul through the rocks below.   Hear the birds?   I do . . . Tweet, tweet, tweet.   Oh, look at how they dance together.   There is a little one just chasing the hawk away.   I bet there is a nest over there, and the bird is protecting it from that hawk.    I love to watch them in action.    Oh look see the chipmunks scurrying in and out of that downed tree with the knotholes.   Chasing each other as if they have nothing else to do.  Oh look, he stopped, and another fell right into him.   Ha ha ha . . .  they make me smile.    Ah the love of wildlife and nature.   There is so much joy in the watching.

And now . . .  back to reality . . .  but I always have this to review in the avenue of my mind on another day.   I do that, you know.   I bring these memories out when I am having a bad day . . . they change my spirit into something bright.

-eileen detloff