Schedule-less

The morning light is gorgeous today. Soft, filtered by hazy, white clouds, it streams into my backyard in a perfect rectangle, flowing over the cat palm hedge. The air is sweet with just a hint of syrupy humidity. A south Florida spring is an ephemeral treasure; summer is almost here, despite the date on the calendar.

I sip my coffee and check my basil and cilantro, rustle the leaves of the wildly expanding parsley. Last night I made homemade tomato sauce, using a half cup of the tender basil leaves.

I cut through the house to go to the front porch, stopping on the way to flip on the television for one child and open windows in the kitchen and front room. Outside, I check the pink and red geraniums in the ceramic pots--they look healthy! I remain outside only a little longer, not sure if I want my neighbors to see me in my oversized Girl Scout camp shirt and husband's sleep shorts that serve as my pajamas. Oh, but it is wonderful, this feeling of not having to rush. At this time of day, I have normally hurried the kids out the door to school then rushed home to ready myself for the gym. Not today. Instead, I linger over a cup of Green Mountain Cinnamon Spice coffee and watch the sun kiss the tops of palm fronds.

Welcome Spring Break!