Just down the hill across the gulch. Pick a deer trail.
Engulfed by ponderosa pine. Within seconds Drummer Boy runs to catch up. Stopping just before touching me.
I’m in wilderness. If Benny is calm, so is Drummer Boy. The horse keeps his nose just behind my shoulder. The dog points his nose ahead of us. Neither makes noise.
Their walk is silent. A turkey takes flight after running across a field of long grass. Benny thinks about chase but doesn’t. Drummer snorts as he steps to the right.
Then silence again.
We reach the pretty. The opening in the forest with a bed of color and a ceiling of pine. A boulder provides a natural chair with a leaning back.
They move ahead and make themselves comfortable. They know I will sit for awhile.
My house with a warm bed, plumbing, and espresso is 100 yards away. But I can’t see or hear it.
We are away. Completely away. We’ll stay.
I can picture everything in my mind’s eye and feel the warmth. Repose enters my soul.