Commonplace Cardinal

     The theme of traveling lighter has so many facets, like bright rays bouncing off a diamond jewel reflecting a light source.  It is fun to sort through my days and see what interesting (to me, anyway) applications come to light.
     Now, of course, as we're actually on a trip, traveling through three states, it seems the ideas would be abundant.  But they haven't been.  Maybe there is too much spinning in my head to sort it all out.  I'm hoping, that since we'll be in the same place for a few days now, I can filter out the input and write some posts.
     Tonight, as we got out of the car at the restaurant for our son's birthday celebration, we heard a cardinal sing his melodious song in the trees.  His bright red feathers were easy to spot in the still leafless trees with the grey overcast sky above him.

     To be able to see and hear a cardinal is a rare treat for me, being a West Coast girl.  I remember once a couple from New Zealand was visiting our home, and a squirrel ran across the yard and jumped into a tree. Commonplace.  But not for them. They yelled and exclaimed, they had never seen a real live squirrel before.  What we take for granted, are even annoyed by, can be a thrill to someone for whom it is a fresh experience.  Here, in Iowa, a cardinal may be a commonplace sight.  For me, it is exciting.

     Another reminder, as Ann Voskamp says in her book, One Thousand Gifts, to be awake, to be aware, to see - really see, to look - really look, at all around us.  Even the commonplace.