Spring morning in Maine

My almost favorite time of year is here.  The scent of apple blossoms drifts through the open window and the birds are singing, chirping, twittering and whistling back and forth from the trees around our home.  A car drives by and the sound carries for a few seconds and from where I sit, I can see out the back patio doors to green. White birch, green leaves and green grass.  We won't talk about the dead dandelions that defiantly stand tall challenging any lawn mower or weed digger to best them.  They'll soon be gone.  A breeze blows across my face and the sun rests gently on the leaves of the plant I don't have a name for.  Given to us by friends when my father in law passed away, it has tripled in size.  I turn my chair to face the window.  I can feel the heat as the rays hit my shins and bare toes and nestle there, no where else to go.

A neighbor walks by with her black dog.  They could be Nellie and I.  The puppy pulling at the leash heading for the ditch, sniffing out all the scents that entice him/her, the "master" tugging, "c'mon".  I remember how worn out I would be after a 2 to 3 mile walk with Nellie just trying to keep her on the straight and narrow.  We'd start out, her pulling on the leash "let's go let's go let's go!"  Ok, so LET'S go.  Soon her nose was to the ground and there was no rushing her now.  I use to think I'd leave her home next time so I could get my walk in at a faster pace.  But then I could never leave her behind, her black nose pressed against the window, her brown eyes looking sorrowfully at me.  I miss her, I miss THAT, and suddenly I want a warm furry body pressed against my legs or curled up in my lap assuring me that I am the most important person in it's world. 

The flag lifts slightly in the breeze then falls lazily back down, curled around itself and the pole.  How proud I am to be an American, how sad I am to see what is happening in this great country.  But for right now I will  enjoy the perfection of a warm and sunny spring morning in Maine