The news, never good these days, has taken a turn for the worse. International relations are in a shambles. What’s a body to do? Take to the deck.

It’s one of the first work-outside mornings of the spring and I’m back in business at my outside location. A brilliant jewel-toned azalea flames in front of me. To my left are two more azaleas in lavender and pink. In the distance, the soft trill of a woodpecker. And yes, a leaf blower, too. In other words, a perfect suburban morning.

So even though my work today is difficult, nature, as always, is a balm. I fall into it as if into a featherbed. It cushions and softens the tasks and my mood.

April 14th is early for working outside, but I’ll take every day I can of my deck desk.