Joy in the mornings

The New York Times article I mentioned last week is still having a positive influence on me. As usual, I'm finding all sorts of things to marvel about, but after reading the article, I'm savoring those mysteries and wonders longer than usual. What a novel practice—dwelling on the good stuff instead of the negative! The mornings have been serving up a buffet of wonders, like seeing the family of four otters that visits our pond off and on throughout the summer doing flip after flip and then departing single-file up the slope, across the gravel drive, and down into the slightly swampy area on the neighboring property. Every spark in this week's installment appeared in the morning hours, providing endless pleasure.

First spark: Seeing otherworldly creatures

The "black swan" root

My eyesight has changed considerably in the last 10 years. I was always the best person to sit in the front passenger seat on road trips because I could read road signs way off in the distance. Now I find myself puzzling over things that really aren't so far away and trying to figure out what they are. Take, for example, this strange creature I saw as the pups and I were descending a hill on our weekly hiking date. Was it a swan? A snake preparing to strike? No, it was just a curled root of a fallen tree. It does bother me a bit that I can't quickly make things out from a distance anymore, but I prefer my initial interpretation of this natural sculpture. Even after I had solved the mystery, I decided to think of it as a black swan.

Second spark: Getting to know your feathered neighbors

A fledgling from a previous season

Taking a cue from that New York Times article, I downloaded the free Merlin Bird ID app on my iPhone. It's been such a fun addition! On Friday, I learned that a Carolina Wren and a Tufted Titmouse were providing the cheerful soundtrack for a stretch of our weekly hike. This morning, I decided to open the garage door to increase the airflow while I was on the treadmill, and as soon as it went up, I heard a lovely little song. Back into the house I went to grab my phone. When I returned, I recorded just 10 seconds of the outdoor sounds, and the app rewarded me with the news that a Northern Cardinal and a Wood Thrush were singing nearby. It made me feel like I had finally been introduced to someone I had always wanted to meet. And now that I know what their songs and calls sound like, I'll be able to welcome them like friends. (I just won't get photos of them because I don't have the right equipment!)

Third spark: Enjoying the tiny little things

My little backseat driver

At the end of every weekly hike, once the pups and I are back in the car and on our way home, I always stop and get a coffee drink as a treat for myself. It obviously wouldn't be fair for me to indulge in this celebration alone, so I take a bag of tiny dog treats along with us, and the pups get one every few minutes along our route home. Zoey usually sits in the front seat, which makes giving her a treat super simple. Charley hangs out in the backseat, which means I have to reach back between the seats and hope I'm holding the treat somewhere near his mouth. There's always a moment of hesitation, and then I feel tiny dog teeth gently sliding down my fingers until they pull the treat away. It is one of the greatest sources of joy for me—and it's clearly a joy for Charley, too, because if I don't reach back as often as he deems appropriate, he delivers one bark that clearly translates as "TREAT!"

What has been sparking wonder for you? Leave a note below!