4.30 An hour of hoped-for conversation with a loved one, too long absent.

4.29 While walking the hills surrounding my home I meet a neighbor and see the joy in his eyes as he tells me about a sailing adventure.

4.28 I wander the peaceful garden, hose in hand, watering the small plants, and admiring a glorious red and orange rose.

4.27 A cast drawn from a local high school puts on a play, singing and dancing with so much enthusiasm, and I marvel at their ability to let themselves be so vulnerable.

4.26 I realize that I am creating beauty and life in my garden, and I am awed.

4.25 Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence — Desiderata.

4.24 Softly the music of a single guitar plays, deeply resonating in the peace of the bookshop.

4.23 Working side by side with a beautiful soul, who teaches me from the heart.

4.22 I finish James, by Percival Everett, a story set as the Civil War is getting underway, where the devastating effects of losing freedom and dignity create an immense struggle to sustain hope and humanity.

4.21 It’s early in the morning and as the sun rises the first rose glows a rich pink.

4.20 My seeds are germinating and I’m filled with the excitement of seeing the first little speck of green as the sweet pea cotyledons push up through the soil.

4.19 The wisteria opens in shades of white and purple, and native bumblebees become regular visitors.

4.18 Planting seeds opens up such a range of possibility, in anticipation of the life and beauty to come.

4.17 A moment of silence, a moment of peace.

4.16 There is such camaraderie when touring a garden with the gardener who built it, sharing practices and plants.

4.15 The cool, damp day gives way to sun and I just sit and bask.

4.14 Walking around the lake near sunset, I hear a red-winged blackbird call and a memory rises of childhood sunsets and a green meadow where the red-winged blackbirds sang each other to sleep.

4.13 On a day that’s cold and wet, dreary and gray, a robin starts singing and reminds me there is blue sky above those clouds.

4.12 Sitting in the quiet, the lonely cat snuggles in for a head scratch.

4.11 After a day that left me tired and stressed, my love brought me a glass of wine  and we sat in the warm sun admiring the bright green of spring.

4.10 Today was filled with warmth and hints of summer to come, even as spring continues to unfold and the fringe tree, azaleas, and the last of the narcissus come into bloom.

4.9 I spent a glorious hour sitting outside on the deck with Leo in the catio, the warm sun on my back, talking to an old friend.

4.8 We went hiking under the trees along the edge of the lake, admiring the wildflowers, marveling at the beauty of our surroundings, and getting to know each other.

4.7 Diving into a story recommended by a loved one I’m finding references to books I’ve read and it’s like gossiping about old friends.

4.6 Day tripping in Santa Cruz, visiting my beautiful friend and admiring the bay filled with sunlight, seals and surfers as we walk through the wildflowers.

4.5 Last night I dreamed about playing with my grandsons, a vision so vivid I woke up with a smile followed by a pang of sorrow.

4.4 My friend gave me a simple purple orchid that smells like summer honeysuckle.

4.3 The little girl leans in closer to tell me she’s moving, and when I ask she tells me all about her aunts, uncles and cousins, and how she’ll get to see them all the time, and when I see her happiness I think wistfully of family ties.

4.2 Under a warm sun and surrounded by the calls of spotted towhees, a yellow ball flies back and forth over the net.

4.1. Deep in the shadow of the redwoods, we walk and share conversation, friendship and a love for trillium.