Warmth from the Cold

 

                                      ---Michael Iha photo

The person who took the above photo of our downtown alley came to my house yesterday, bearing flowers. 

The flowers were from my daughter.  Not only were they beautiful but so was Annie's message. 

And, with the flowers came the bonus of meeting Michael. 

As we stood on the deck and he endured my usual "interrogation" of where he was from, what brought him to Sandpoint, etc., I asked him how he liked delivering flowers. 

Michael gave me a simple answer:  because he gets to see the caring . . . whether it's happy occasions or deaths or personal achievements.  

Whenever he hands over beautiful flowers, he takes in the emotions of the moment, and he likes that. 

Michael and I spent a few more minutes getting acquainted, and when he said he likes to take pictures and post them on Instagram, I asked to see his work. 

His collection reflects Michael's eye for the beauty in the world which goes far beyond delivering flowers. I don't know him very well, but I would say Michael has a natural eye for all that is good. 

And, that is why I so enjoyed getting to know him. I hope you enjoy his photo as much as I do.

Plus, he's a very nice person. 

Thank you, Annie, and thank you, Michael.  

Both of you brightened my day. 

We did have a cold day yesterday, and another one follows. 

Even with the cold, there's a sun up there in the sky radiating some healthy doses of warmth.  

A couple of times yesterday I stopped walking and just propped myself up against a fence or the barn to soak up the sunshine.  It felt good. 

My horses were also taking advantage of the day, by lying down, relaxing and snoozing in the warmth of the sun.

Bill and I also spent time inside enjoying the warmth of our wood stove and watching basketball games.  Yesterday's offerings provided some nail biters with some dramatic endings. 

Happily, our ZAGS eased up on the fans by providing an easy 40-point win with some refreshing new strategies.

While wearing my Ben Gregg (33) sweatshirt (thanks again, Tiffany), I felt almost smug as Ben kept dropping basket after basket in front of his Portland home crowd. It ended up being a 24-point performance. 

It was a good day with a variety of highlights, all positive. I've also learned that in my next life, I'll probably sign up to deliver flowers.  

Sounds like a good gig, maybe even better than my other dream of making deliveries in the NAPA auto parts car. 

Flowers are prettier. 

Anyway, hoping today will bring on the warmth within the cold. 

 

Happy Sunday.