3/1/26 6:30 35F (1.6C) Calm with broken overcast.

The sky is incompletely hidden behind ragged white tufts. The clouds look like stuffing pulled from a dog’s toy.

Dawn was beginning to lighten the sky. I rolled over to check the clock just as the electricity winked off.

I got up and checked the kitchen clock which runs on battery. 6:00, the first day of March.

Ten minutes later, as I  was deciding whether I prefered a quick soak or a hot shower before the water cooled off, the power came back on.

And here I  am in the hot tub, listening to the birds singing, an orchard sprayer’s whine, and Walter barking.

A great blue heron glides over the briars toward the creek.  Slow, graceful, and prehistoric.

Good morning.