Seeing Stars

October mornings are refreshing, but off we go anyway at first light. Beau wears his plaid fall coat, and I put on my waxed green jacket with its deep hood, a wool scarf and gloves. Capacious pockets hold my cell phone and glasses, a water bottle, house keys, lavender scented poo bags and a few dog biscuits. It doesn't matter what the weather is like. We are both happier for a long ramble in the woods, and there is always something wonderful to see on our outings.

 

On the way home from a morning walk a few days ago, we paused and looked in astonishment at a puddle lying in our path, a wide glossy pool with fallen leaves in rainbow shades, whiskery tree reflections, pearly clouds and silky blue light.

 

Mirabile dictu, the floating leaves looked like stars, and the puddle in front of us was a small perfect universe, lustrous, shimmering and complete within itself. There was a veritable cosmos at our feet, and we were standing in the sky.