Madonna in the yard....whaaaaaat?

I was sitting on the back porch last night, first reading a gardening book, then drawing, and then it was that "golden hour" when shadows grow tall and everything is suddenly cast in the most glorious light. It's long been a favorite time of day for me. It brings out reverence in me no matter where I am or what I'm busy with. Last night, I looked up from my drawing and saw that the time had arrived. I put down my book, pulled the blanket over me, sat back and watched the sky as it turned colors. It was the most luxurious thing I've done in awhile. Just sit, and listen, and watch, endlessly. Divine.

I saw 2 pairs of bluebirds in the trees just above me (very exciting! first time I've seen them at the house). And then as I was lost in the clouds, a subtle movement brought all of my attention down, into the woods. A grey animal moving smoothly and silently. I held my breath and stared hard, following it the best I could with my eyes, and then it came into the clearing in the back and I saw it's full body. A coyote! Wow....my heart was POUNDING. For me, what happens in my body and my mind when I see an animal like that is like if you see.....I don't know....Madonna walking through your yard. You're like, "AHHHH!....ohmygoodness!.....it's....it's.....MADONNA.....in the YARD!......holyCOW!......"

But, I kept my cool on the outside because I didn't want to spoil my chances of Madonna coming back INTO the yard....see....gotta be smart about these things.....so I sat back again, watching the sky and the trees, and frequent scans of the clearing and the woods. The rest of the sunset was beautiful, no more sightings, just colors and quiet. When the sun was gone, I went in, thinking....why don't I do that more? That was AWESOME.  So....tonight I have a date with the evening. The golden hour. Binos and blanket and I'll be all set.

It's my brother's birthday today. He's in Thailand at the moment, embarking on a new career I think. He wudda loved the coyote sighting....and if he were here, he'd totally spend tonight's golden hour with me, in near silence, in total reverence....Happy birthday Erik. I love you.