How lucky we are, working inside, out of the sun and wind, crawling over smooth hardwood, low pile rug, an easy climb up the couch’s fat legs to small crumbs on cushions, well-scattered, stress-free pickup and carry back to the nest. iI’s a plum job, great assignment and with no bosses watching, just think what we can get away with - some sight-seeing, maybe an afternoon nap, certainly a chance to go over the day’s meal stipend and shopping, at least what we can tuck out of

if God influences weather you could say that summer clouds in the desert show a bit of mercy dark clouds with wind and a light rain are a small blessing and a night’s thunderstorm flashing through rattled windows is a hard sermon to sleep through

it happens with dogs and probably cats maybe parrots and pot-bellied pigs too something I can’t put my finger on subtle like a fragrance, sweet and wrapped in a warm bubble of closeness it’s everywhere in my house even before a tail is near me or fingers find fur, something’s already curled up next to me seeping in, filling what doesn’t leak and keeps filling affection at its sneaky best