Views from the bathroom window

I look forward to Saturday mornings. My son and husband usually sleep in until close to noon and I can usually have a couple of hours to myself.

The first time I get a look at the world outside is from my bathroom window.

You're right, that is the same window I look out every single day. But this is different. On this day, I get to linger.

It may sound strange, but the first thing I look at is rarely the sky. Not this time of year, anyway.

I grew up in the desert; very few trees lush with leaves. Here, however, I have six different kinds of leaves out one window alone. I like to think they're waving at me, wishing me a good day; even beckoning me out of the house some mornings. These trees are the reason I wanted this house. They make it home.

Invariably, something will divert my attention from the foliage. Usually an over-achieving neighbor starting on yardwork. Many times, though, it's a squirrel running along the back fence. I love watching the squirrels; always so busy and animated. I suppose a part of me wants to be just like them.

The best part of the window, though, is opening it. The smell of fresh-cut grass and flowers blooming or even the crisp newness of snow; those are the things that stir me. And the sounds ... oh, the sounds ... My favorite is the little kids in the neighborhood playing with one another or just hanging out with their families. Calling to one another, taunting & teasing; but always laughing. Dogs barking and owners giving them the shoosh. And the birds; always the birds. There is one bird, I have no idea what he is, but he always sings the same refrain: a sing-song wispy and melancholy, "I don't know, I don't know."

It's funny how your whole day can start out so well, just looking out the bathroom window.