Searching for bliss

Just got back from a couple of days Up North. It was so beautiful; the weather was just perfect--warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The dogs came with me this time, the first time in several years that they had been up there.

We spent our days swimming, playing on the beach, or riding and walking through the fields. It's not very restful up there, since I don't seem to sleep any more than I do at home, but it is very stress-free. One day, I walked the dogs out into the fields--they had so much fun and it was such a joy to see them relishing the experience. Polly would thunder down the paths, dive into tall grass, and disappear into the woods. Alice got to play with her ball (much to the amusement of my family) without worrying about running into the street, or getting stuck in bushes, or destroying the landscaping. It was bliss for them. Bliss for me, too, to stand in the field in the hot sun. The grass underneath was cut short and was soft enough to walk barefoot. I stood still, hearing nothing but the birds singing and the wind blowing. No cars, no phones, no chatter--just pure peace and contentment.

At night, I let the dogs outside and stared up at the stars. With no city lights to dim the view, the Milky Way just poured across the sky. It was gorgeous and completely lovely.