The Little Dog has become enamored of a trail near the lake, a hike that takes us high up into the hills. Coyotes cross it, and herds of deer. The tiny Labrador catches their scent, then loses her mind. She races ahead and, if luck is with her (but not with me) she finds fresh scat to roll in. Yay.

I had my own reward the other day, beyond that of seeing Maisie begin to recover from the baffling loss of her beloved Jake, and this is it, right here, one of my favorite flowers, suddenly blooming.