If there was such a thing as magic, it would mean I could hold my breath and that thing we call time would stop. For forever, I would be where a cup runs over.

Last night our crew got in late, bleary-eyed and stiff-Charlie and Penny, Robert, Gracie and Maria up from Tallahassee for a visit for the long weekend. I lay next to Maria as she told the stories of the past couple of weeks and slowly fell asleep, her hand in mine in the dark.

This morning, Sherod and I are sitting with our coffee and our friends, Daisy and Spot, staying warm by the fire. We can hear our girl Maria’s deep, even breathing as she sleeps in her room nearby. Upstairs, the rest of the fam is also asleep except Charlie, who left way before dawn to go hunting.

This.