In the evenings he had built a fire, prepared coffee and supper. It had given him time to enjoy nature and time to reflect.”
–Gary Church (Fate Rides a Tall Horse)
Mornin’ Pard. It isn’t evening, and it ain’t supper, but I’m sittin’ in my rocker, watching graylight approach and sippin’ my coffee. Doin’ some relectin’, but not deep enough for contemplatin’ as of yet as I don’t have time. My daughter is makin’ breakfast for us, so we have to be climbin’ aboard the steel mount and headin’ out. Coffee’s on the stove if’n yuh don’t make it over on time.
A thought came to me of the many places I’ve been. I decided to reflect on some of them like fishin’ an’ campin’ at Lake San Cristobal. The girls were little and the little one was sittin’ underneath the table playin’ in the dirt. I think about one of our favorite places up in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Then the thought comes to me of the time we got drenched hiking in Lost Maples and the time ridin’ Maid of the Midst. The campfires are too many to count, but I can relate to the peace that comes from sittin’ ’round one and drinkin’ coffee.
Where is that special place for you, Pard? Is it still there, or only in yur memory. Yep, memories run through my mind of favorite places. I read somethin’ from an ol’ boy who lived many years ago, “That spot has much charm, it greatly soothes weary minds, relieves anxieties and cares, helps souls who seek the Lord greatly to devotion, and recalls to them the thought of the heavenly sweetness towards which they aspire.” Pard, there’s more to what ol’ Bernard was a-sayin’ but there are those places in our minds, those inspirin’ experiences that bring us closer to the Lord.
Pard, reckon that right now, my special place is in the mornin’ with my daily routine of studyin’ and readin’ and writin’ watchin’ the sun appear through the trees while drinkin’ my coffee. Once in a while, I’ll admit more often than not, there’ll be a cookie that Annie has made me sittin’ nearby so I can take a bite whenever I please.
Time to be headin’ out. Yuh take care of yurself, stay alert, and don’t yuh be a-frettin’ I’ll check my cinch before I mount.
Vaya con Dios.