The basic skill of observation is today’s writing muse . . .
-The surprise of three men jogging toward me with 100 pound military camouflage packs on their backs; the middle man with sandy blonde hair and a kind face making eye contact with me and offering a “Good Morning” greeting
-The tall black man in an all-white suit and hat, carrying a brief case as he walks with his head held high toward the church I just passed
-The Park District employee working on a Sunday, picking up trash after the neighborhood festival the day before
-The noticeable absence of rooster calls the morning after the crowded neighborhood festival
-The sweet whiff of lilac from the six foot lilac bush
-The bright orange Lantana that doesn’t seem to know that California is experiencing its worse drought in 500 years
-The shockingly shallow river flowing under the bridge
-The six pigeons perched on top of the steel-frame bridge; me crossing my fingers as I walk under them, hoping they do not have to relieve themselves
-The remnant smell of skunk from the night before
-The invisible force behind me, pushing my butt up the steep hill
-The acorn, dropping at a high rate of speed from the oak tree next to me, just missing my head
-The wall of heavy humidity as I pass an enclosed grove of vegetation
-The deserted neighborhood village at 8:15 in the morning
-The stillness of the trees from a lack of breeze
-The cry of a baby
-The odor of doggie doo that someone didn’t pick up
-The thrill of seeing a newly posted ‘For Sale’ sign on the lawn of a house I’ve admired