4/17/2024

A bright beam of slanted sunlight falls into the living room, illuminating the peace lily. It’s an undemanding plant. But when I give it a soak and leave it in the sink to drain, it surprises me how its absence deadens the room.

Outside, the leaves on the river birch are larger today than they were yesterday. They dangle and sway, bright green against the pale blue sky, with a cardinal adding a dash of brilliant red.