Day 1571

When Charlie and Hank first joined our family, they were too little to be sent outside by themselves, so I began the nightly ritual of taking all five out before bed. Between nine and ten, I can be found out in the backyard coaxing and rewarding our boys. It is a one-on-one opportunity to bond. It has become a gift to myself.

With Mac doing “door duty,” when one goes through the doggy door, another one heads out. Rain, snow, sprinkling systems and other surprises do not thwart our adventures in the backyard. Chipmunks, bunnies, squirrels and other critters might make a quick exit when we pound down the stairs, but the rest of the time, peace and quiet reign supreme!

The night is beautiful in so many ways. The hushed sounds of the chickens next door and the wind in the branches overhead makes you take a look around, but a feeling of safety and the suggestion of secrets being shared by unseen inhabitants makes it even more amazing.

Would I give it all up to crawl into bed a few minutes earlier? No…. Ask me in January and perhaps I might have a different response. For now, however, bring on the nighttime shadows.