Nowhere but here…

This morning I stood by the lake behind my house and I told myself I didn’t have to be anywhere but there — in that moment. For 45 seconds to a minute that is.

But, in those precious seconds I had the chance to center myself and recognize the beauty that graced the lake this morning. On one side of the lake some logs that flooded in the lake during a January storm was covered in cormorants. The ones that couldn’t fit on the log were swimming around it. I stopped counting at 30.

Some squalling brought my attention to the other side of the lake. The Great Blue Heron who normally claims the lake was disturbed by several cormorants and ducks. Now to understand this situation you have to understand the heron and his attitude toward HIS lake. Yes, his lake. He just lets the rest of us use it. So the sudden bombardment of all these other birds are enough to drive this poor guy nuts.

This year we’ve had many different species of birds on our lake. It’s been a good year for us.

This morning was beautiful. My thoughts float back to that moment as I sit here and listen to the phones ring and my co-workers stress about today’s stories. Ah — nowhere but here. Can I go back now??