It's Still Life

I. Blackthorn is in full bloom, and that means spring — except the temperatures plummeted again into overnight single digits. I’m thankful that thermal-wear isn’t needed again — it’s all packed away.

II. My crow, who’s not really my crow, left me what appears to be a chicken bone this morning. Be thankful it isn’t a rat, I told myself.

III. The trim is done, and finally, thankfully, it’s on its way from Eindhoven. Enough said about that for now.

IV. Thankful that the pigeon is sharing the birdbath with the magpie. He’s splashing and having a jolly bath.

V. A storm blew through on Tuesday night; found the barbeque tongs under a bush; chairs scattered across the patio. Thankfully, no damage. Weather is so weird lately.

VI. I love a journey on a train (to London this time). I listen to music, tune out the world’s noise, and watch the world turning green again.

VII. I am thankful that I’m not afraid of heights. My goodness, The Underground is truly, and deeply underground.

VIII. Six Sentence Stories hosted by Denise. I’m thankful every week to spread my ink. Who would’ve thought that writing historical fiction in six sentences could be so much fun.

IX. Thankful for forsythia when the sky is grey and it’s raining.

X. But mostly I’m thankful for awareness: the quiet between stars, the numbers on the calendar that leak minutes out of their little boxes, and dreams that can fit into a single poem.