Caledonia

I have seen fields filled with ferns, the sight of which prompted me to offer up grateful praise to God, for the beauty of this earth.

I have seen heather in the highlands . . . bluebells on the island . . . rape, a yellow flower, filling fields as far as the eye could see . . . fuchsia as large as dinner plates . . .

Seals sunning on the rocks of Loch Cosuitt . . .

awakening to the screaming song of the sea gulls and mistaking them for a child in trouble . . .

rhododendron so profuse they’re considered an invasion . . .

Standing on an outcrop of land at the ruin of Fast Castle and feeling the wind off the North Sea on my face

More double rainbows than are seemly for any one woman to have stood under . . .

the sunrise as an act of God’s love. . .

 the absence of things . . . things like lightening bugs and crickets.

Whenever I think of Scotland, I think of spring. . . and new life . . . and beauty . . . and friends.