Quote of the Day

I'll get to it in a bit...

I'm sitting in the living room, reading Nate Booth's Tiger Traits, a success book about Tiger Woods. The window by the couch is open, and I can smell the smoke from my next-door neighbor's grill (he uses real wood, not charcoal). Last night, when he wasn't grilling, the scent of orange blossoms wafted in, carried on the occasional breezes that blew just the right way. I inhaled a lot.

Sounds carry well around here too, and my neighbor just got finished telling his son--in no uncertain terms, with a few well-placed profane words--that he is NOT to hit or swing at a tennis ball, because my neighbor isn't about to pay for somebody's broken window. It feels good to know those days of mine are over.

Amid the sounds of boys bossing each other around and the pounding of running feet, the birds are singing. Earlier this afternoon I saw a house finch, still brightly colored for mating season, and I recognize his song. The mockingbird is still going full-throttle with his schizophrenic warbling. I don't know when he sleeps, because I hear him at all hours, night and day, constantly changing his tune. And there are other birds, chirping and peeping, not wanting to be left out of the fun.

It's the simple pleasures that help make life good, though I was reminded that I haven't been taking enough time to enjoy them, hence my little foray into the scents and sounds of springtime. What brought them to mind was a quote from the Tiger Traits book:

Use what talents you possess:
the woods would be very silent
if no birds sang except those that sang best.

- Henry Van Dyke

I'll ponder my own talents later. For now I'm happy just listening to the birds.