In the midst of it all, I live in a land of magic and wonder.

Dancing daily with dragonflies and humming birds. Honking, bleating, and chirping with an assortment of frogs or singing with wrens and a constant chorus of finches. In regular repartee with witty woodpeckers and chattering squirrels.

In the evening I take census of timid, ghostly house geckos. Check tree frog tadpoles slowly developing in the cozy environs of their nursery. Investigate if the cotton mouth is visiting the pond or any koi have gone missing. Play Where's Waldo with anoles who've crawled up to tuck themselves in on the highest fronds of the fern bed.

And I get to share it all with the beautiful soul of kindness and gentleness.