A thaw has begun. Today is warm and damp with bird song in the air. Yesterday, I spotted a flock of robins in the yard next door. When I stepped outside to bounce on the trampoline it felt like another world. And in fact it was another world: the world outside.

For the last several weeks, cold temperatures and seasonal duties have kept me inside. I had almost forgotten about the world outside with its fox and deer. I had definitely forgotten about the hawk, who swooped low and lean across the yard and perched directly above me.

I told him not to get any ideas. I’ve tangled with him before and have a healthy respect for raptors. In time, he realized I was not what he wanted and flew away.

Meanwhile, I listened and bounced. I noted how tall the ornamental grasses have grown, and how full the hollies. It was cloudy with a tinge of pink on the western horizon. How good it felt to be back again in the world outside.

(View from the trampoline)