#14 Small Stone

10 below outside,
 and we are sitting around the table
eating Popsicles.

#13 Small Stone

On days like today when the light is low
and it continues to snow,
Jimmy Buffett fixes my predicament
with songs of the sun, the beach,
and being carried far
away.

#12 Small Stone

Today as I drove towards the mountains,
I turned the radio off
and simply drove in the silence.

#11 Small Stones

My little girl puts on her cross country skis and takes off down the road,
this year needing less instruction and hardly any help at all.
She heads towards our bird houses in the middle of the pasture, and
I can't resist the powder of new snow and the chance to put on my skis.
Breaking a trail makes it easier for her, but she is loving the time outside,
being in the sun, looking at rabbit tracks. She repeatedly says, "Keep going mommy,
I want to keep going for miles."  Our skiing is great exercise, and she doesn't
wear out as soon as I think she would.  She asks when we will go again.
It's been awhile, but now I have a new skiing partner and can't wait for more days like this.

#10 Small Stone

Two friends talking as our kids play around
her house. We know each other well enough
not to worry, not to compete, only
to understand and enjoy the time, the
company. A friendship worth the comforts
not always so easily found.