Sweet serenity. . .

Rachael and I are back inside, having been out and about, tending to morning chores at her house. I'm always glad when duty beckons me out of bed before sunrise since my own willpower has never developed to the point of my greeting that part of the day "just because." Bob, who was forever programmed according to the discipline of farm time--later, military time, would often say (about folks who sleep in)--"they're missing the best part of the day." It is, I believe, the most inspiring time of day. Time for refreshment of body and soul. Even in a day that might hold some dread, there are those moments before the day's timeline begins to unfold, when there is the opportunity for near perfect peace. Especially on a crisp, snow-white morning such as this, with soft billows of snow being blown in the breeze, glistening in the sun as it rises, sprinkling themselves here and there, whispering of sweet serenity.