coneflowers blooming

Coneflowers in my backyard leaning into the morning sun

My family teases me about driving a quarter mile to a neighborhood park to walk, but I hate walking on the side of the road with the heat coming off the asphalt and veering around parked cars while keeping watch for oncoming traffic. Our little park is ringed with trees and has a nice level sidewalk that circles around a field of green grass. Walking there I am able to calm my mind, focus on my breathing, and prepare myself for the day ahead.

This morning several puddles had formed on the sidewalk from the sprinklers and birds were already singing as they landed in the trees and on the damp grass. There are usually no more than four or five other people out walking, and we nod and say “good morning” as we pass along the path. By the time I have my two miles in, the sun has already stolen the freshness out of the air, and I’m thankful for the air-conditioned air as I drive home.

My thoughts are turning to a couple of cards I plan to make today using the new Enjoy Life stamp set that Connie Fitzgerald helped design. It was one of my first purchases out of the new catalog, as I love the greetings. I will come back to post one of my cards later today. In the meantime, have a wonderful day. I hope that you, too, find peace in your day.