Bubba, the yellow lab across the alley, joins in with bass woofs. Nugget, the Cairn terrier mimics a soprano. The cardinal sings on. Standing under the dripping leaves of my birch, I know I am fully present in a moment that will be with me always. I love this time of day - birth, death, life, regeneration, all of it here in my small back yard.
All time is now.
I take a deep breath, pick up the mud-toed beast and head inside. Time for breakfast, I tell her. I am your best friend, Now, always, and especially When you are eating. Loraine Anderson is regional editor. The Traverse City Record-Eagle.