Deborah Sandin
I love the time before dawn
As the fading stars twinkle
Treetops and roofs are revealed
In a burst of color
The tinkle of dog tags against the food bowl
The whirr of the microwave
Heating the life-giving liquid
That jump starts my brain
The splash of the fountain against the rocks
With the dainty twit-twit of the hummingbird
Flitting back and forth above it
Drinking deeply
I love those determined folks
Running, biking, walking their dogs past my window
As I check my email
Trying not to go down the rabbit hole of click-bait headlines
So I can keep my sanity
I love my neighbors who see me
Yet again
In my cozy robe and slippers
Splashing pots and plants as the day begins
Calling out greetings
Waving with a smile
I love the drive to the Clubhouse
The deep lush green of the golf course
Contrasting with the muted brown hills beyond
The pond, the fountains,
Are those new birds visiting today?
Tennis balls rhythmically bouncing back and forth
People holding doors with
Smiling eyes
Equipment clanging in the gym
The murmur of breakfast voices
The hissing of the espresso machine
I love the pool
The smell of chlorine
The splash of swimmers in their lanes
The music of the class
Exercising to the blaring beat
Heart rates rising as the kindly drill-sergeant instructor
Calls out
Faster, harder, push push PUSH!
I love the camaraderie
Toweling off afterwards
Legs quivering
Getting ready for the day’s events
See you at hand and foot/Mah Jongg/the book club later?
Yes of course!
No, I have a doctor’s appointment
For my knee/shoulder/foot/hip
I love the swirling Jacuzzi
Relaxing sore muscles
Staring at the palm trees silhouetted against a brilliant blue sky
Listening to the grackles squawking
And the mourning doves cooing
Drifting away in memories
As the background music plays
Songs from a lifetime ago
I love the beep, beep, beep of golf carts
Backing up and whizzing off
The pop, pop, pop of the pickleball courts
The excited barks of the dogs
Heads hanging out windows
Ready to romp with their buddies
I love those magnificent snow-capped mountains
As I head home
Sky-islands rising from the desert floor
A place of refuge from hot summer days
Hiking among tall pine trees with
Fudgy treats afterwards
Most of all
I love the people
Who’ve become my new friends
Sharing their homes and stories
Exploring the Old Pueblo together
Dancing the night away
Attending concerts and plays
Sharing drinks and laughs
At newly discovered restaurants
As the day ends
Loving life
Here at the Ranch
The SaddleBrooke Ranch Writing Guild is a group dedicated to improving our writing skills. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the La Vista room of the La Hacienda Club from 1 to 3 p.m. If you have any questions about the club or would like to join, contact Joy Hellard at [email protected]