The other morning, I came downstairs and let da’ boyz out in the yard, only to find a hard frost.  The deck was slick, not that it stopped three dogs from slipping and sliding their way out the door in their eagerness to bark at little boys walking to get the school bus.

It was so pretty!  I love the shimmer and sparkle of the ice crystals when it’s all fresh and unspoiled.  The parsley looked pretty wilted, but once it thawed, I knew it would perk back up again.

It was quiet though – a prequel to the first snow that will come sooner than I expect.  The sun was pale as it is this time of the year.  The maple tree lost its leaves a few weeks back, but what was surprising was the oak tree dropping its leaves every few minutes as I stood there watching.  Usually it hangs onto its leaves for the winter, but not today.

I was surprised to see a rabbit run out of the yard.  The beagle never once howled as he often does when he finds a bunny trail.  And none of the dogs saw the rabbit run through the fence, another surprise.

I went to Panera for a bowl of oatmeal before going to work, walking in behind a woman in a maroon coat over her black pants and black spiked heels.  She looked so Christmasy! As we stood waiting, we commented on how good it smelled in Panera this morning.  They must have just taken some bread out of the oven – what a yummy smell!  And how nice to chat for a few minutes with a stranger and share some pleasantries.

The quiet moments like this are a wonderful beginning to the day.  When I came down the stairs, I didn’t expect anything more than letting the dogs out, getting some breakfast and going into work.  Instead, it had that hint of magic to it, something to savor even if years from now I wouldn’t remember it except for having written it down.  I went to work relaxed, ready for my day, and in a wonderful mood.

The days don’t start any better than that, do they?  And the more I look for them, the more likely they are to happen.

There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it
and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself.
Henry David Thoreau

Life Lessons Spending The Day first frost hard frost morning musings oatmeal Panera