Text by Tammie

  A printed magazine I get has a feature in which readers can find a “hidden item.” It’s probably a tool to get readers to read through the whole issue. I was reminded of that when I saw these birds pictured on a woodpile in my backyard. They kind of blend in with the natural tones – hidden in “site.” Did my “hidden birds” help you read until the end? 😊

  Dreaming along with people who tour their dream houses on the television channel that’s focused on real estate and home improvement, I can relate to the fact that many people what separate home offices for quiet times. Many people work remotely. I work remotely. My dream of a separate home office would include having a big picture window so that I can look out into nature. I have a big bay window I can look out of from my home office that’s tucked into the corner of our family room. From that window, I can see nature, like this Northern Cardinal pictured that seems to love our apple tree. Big bay windows invite pleasant distractions from quiet times.

  In 2022, I wrote a magazine article about a fascinating astronomical group in my area that met regularly to study and photograph the night skies. As is the case with many stories I’ve written that I’ve enjoyed, I incorporated what I learned into my daily life (for example, learning that I only need binoculars to see certain objects in the night sky). So, when my husband helped with a kindergarten project on counting to 100, I cheered for his idea of depicting a starburst galaxy using Starburst candy. Fun and yum!

I've heard the suggestion all my writing life of how you should write every day. Well, sometimes, you just need a break. Among the best ways for me to have a break is to go to the beach. There's something about "beach water" that can help soothe tiredness.

  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I need to get back to running at least a mile a day, five days a week, to get back to 5K “fitness.” Yes. Ha. Most days, I have the pleasure of walking near the state park where I live around 6 a.m., and most days, I see deer. Most days, they run, and I love to watch them run. It’s so effortless. Oh, deer. Run.

  If I get up early to go walking in my rural neighborhood, I can “run” across nearly a dozen deer eating their breakfasts. Here’s one who didn’t seem too bothered by me taking its picture. Camera phones make it easier for writers like me to convey “a thousand words.”