What do you do with a perfect day? The temperature was just right, 70 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. Humidity low. Sunday is our day to catch up and get ready for the work week. We go to church and come home to our individual chores: cat litter, trash cans, lesson plans, laundry, grocery…and I had writing group. “You think we can squeeze in some paddle time?”
I decided that there were a few things I could put off like vacuuming, so I said a resounding, “Yes!” Perfect days are rare, so I feel we must embrace while we can. So we made a date for 4:00 PM. Jeff hosed out the canoe (ants), I grabbed the paddles, and off we went.
Heading directly into the sunset, the colors change. The old leaves on the oaks are a dark green while the new pollen fuzzies are a golden yellow. People complain about this popping of the pollen. It aggravates allergies and covers cars in a fine sprinkle of golden dust. All part of the healthy life cycle of a great live oak tree.
Some, not all, of the cypress trees are showing new growth. These tiny needles are the brightest neons of green. The truest sign of spring.
As we paddled home, Jeff noticed a plastic chair wedged in some tree roots across the bayou. He said, “I think that’s our lost chair.” A few storms ago, the water had risen and taken with it a plastic chair from our yard. Sure enough it was ours. Jeff managed to back the canoe next to it and grab it with his paddle. The chair was a little muddy but still in tact. I had to take a selfie to get a photo of it, so the angle and perspective are odd, but you get the idea.
We were home before the sun set and were treated to the appearance of a great white egret. Grace from God to praise this perfect day. Click on the video above to see this majestic bird in flight.
Reflections on the Teche 
Thanks for sharing your beautiful day, Margaret!
SO much I enjoyed by reading this peaceful slice. The egret video! The found chair! The green of the new cypress leaves against the blue, blue sky! THanks for allowing me on your river ride! Thanks for reminding me that it is important to alter from the routine!
Oh, thank you for taking me along on your paddling trip on this perfect day. Grace from God provides for us and brings praises from us. Beautiful!
Grace from God indeed! I felt like I was right with you on the Bayou. Wonderful that you seized the moment and made room for joy. And the video is stupendous, I watched it on full screen. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, look at all that green! I’m so glad you took the time to take the time, and then took the time to write and share about it. Lovely slice! (I can’t wait to see the great egrets back up our way!)
That sky is incredibly blue – you’re right it does look like the perfect day! Gifts of Grace is a perfect title for this slice.
I love that Jeff rescued the lawn chair! Sounds like a peaceful, productive afternoon.
Margaret, gifts of grace, indeed. I loved: “Grace from God to praise this perfect day.” What a joyous adventure you describe. The photos are wonderful, and the pollen on the oaks and the neon green of the cypress tree reminded me of Frost’s “Nothing Gold Can Stay.”