This morning started crisp with a dazzling sun promising surprises, promises like daffodils shooting above the frosty ground.

A winter daisy blooming at a friend’s house is a nice January surprise. So is efferfescent Scarlet with her flashy, droopy hat.

Towards evening it is so calm the pond is smoother than a mirror. The reflections of the towering cottonwoods are so real, it’s like I could reach out and touch their feathery tops. No need to slither up their trunks and risk life and limb to feel their highest branches between my fingers, all I need do is kneel at the edge of the pond and stick out my hand.

A sunset this brilliant hints of more surprises to come tomorrow.