It’s a beautiful Fall day. The sky is clear except for a few white fluffy clouds, the air is crisp and cool. I head outside with my favorite dog, to take a walk.  I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt with my favorite boots. I love to be outside in the Fall when the leaves are dropping and the animals are preparing for Winter. Even though my space in this world will soon be covered in a blanket of snow, and most things will die, this time of the year makes me feel alive.

I head over to my apple and pear trees, it’s time for picking apples and the pears are all but done now.  I don’t have an orchard just a few trees of shiny red globes. I pick one and slip it into my bag, I’ll save it for when I reach Paradise.

As I walk past the fruit trees, I come to my barn. My barn used to be filled with all sorts of animals…cows, sheep, goats, hogs, dogs, cats, chickens, turkeys and rabbits.  Now it looks like a fading red toy box which was slowly emptied over time.

Passing the barn I enter the tall grasses.  I love the way these grasses wave to and fro as the soft gentle breeze floats by.  I reach my hands down to touch the tops of them. They feel like silk and straw mixed together. As I walk I listen to the birds chirping as they  dive in for grasshoppers that my steps disturb.  My dog and I walk quietly in each others steps as we gaze ahead to that perfect spot. It’s not a far walk maybe 500 feet or so, but I take my time so I can be lulled into the peace that surrounds me.

We come upon a clearing and in the center is a pool of water, or what we call a really,really small pond.  At the water’s edge I see tracks from deer, and raccoon.  The Canadian geese will be stopping by soon to drink of our waters as they travel away. Near the edge of the water there are cattails which I can only assume host a myriad of different bug species. I sit down in the same spot I always sit, I can see nothing of the barn or fruit trees now.  I see only the water and grasses that surround me.  At my feet I can see some ants going about their business.  A butterfly has landed on a cattail to rest, it is the most amazing blue color I have ever seen. The waters ripple with the tiny legs of bugs that dance on its surface. My dog wets his feet at the water’s edge and now his foot prints mingle with the ones left by others. Peace slowly engulfs us.

I sit for as long as I can, we share an apple…and dream of all things good life has given us.  I could sit here all day if my life allowed, but alas it does not. I soak up the silence of nature and beauty it holds to carry me through another day. This is Paradise, this is MY Paradise….if only I didn’t have to leave!!

*My Paradise is on my farm in the lower eastern edge of Michigan!!