Owen's Day

Once again your plant blooms on your birthday.

Once again.

Thirteen years have come and gone so swiftly.

Thirteen years.

It is blooming day in the bedroom.

Okinawa, my bonsai, is in bloom.

As is the lavender.

Bloom day for Owen.

I sat on my perch at the kitchen table and look across the street.

Owen's tree, a Swamp Oak, is easy to see.

Some day it will be the biggest tree in the cemetery.
Some day.

After laundry and errands I took
my books to the deck.
Cooper's Hawk flew in and scattered all the birds
but the female Downy Woodpecker.

She froze.
She stayed still for at least five minutes.

Cooper's Hawk flew off.
She was cautious.

I am reading cookbooks today.
Alice Waters is my favorite chef and cookbook writer.
If I see she is involved I am interested.

David Tanis is one of the chefs at Chez Panisse,
 in Berkley, California.
Chez Panisse is Alice Waters child.
The photography by Christopher Hirsheimer
is as inspirational as the simple, fresh recipes.
I find inspiration in simple ingredients.
I find inspiration in my kitchen.

There are many ways to honor.
Today I honor our little Owen with a simple
"Thank you."

The years have zipped right by.