Sunday was gorgeous. We have turned our backyard into a haven for birds between our birdfeeders and the tall stand of sunflowers. My husband and I sat outside late in the day. A warm breeze felt like silk passing over my arm. And five – FIVE! – goldfinches fluttered among the sunflowers, pulling out the ripened seeds.

I sat, first reading – finishing Persia Cafe by Melany Neilson – and I thought: how lucky I am to have the luxury of choice, to have the ability to read and get lost in good literature, and to marvel in the God of small things.

Small things, goldfinches. I sat back and just watched them (and the other birds), but in the end I had to get the video recorder, if only to get to see them a little closer, through the lens.

Thank you, God, for the miracles of goldfinches and sunflowers and time enough to appreciate both.