September 28, 2026
Evening Reflections
Enjoy the Present...
Tonight, in Venice was a beautiful reminder to simply enjoy the present.
I stood watching as the sun slowly slipped into the ocean, filling the sky with the most incredible orange glow. The wind was strong, the flag was flying, the waves were moving, and everything around me felt so alive.
And then came the wings.
A lot of times the birds aren’t around as much in the evening, so seeing them flying toward me made the moment even sweeter. Of course, Pegleg made absolutely sure I knew he was there. I think his voice could find me anywhere on that pier.
The pigeons were especially hungry tonight, and apparently sharing was not on the menu. One little guy in the middle kept slapping his wing at the others as if to say, “Excuse me, this is MY dinner!” Their personalities make me laugh. Every single one is different, and the more time I spend with them, the more I notice those tiny differences.
As I walked back toward my car, the evening had one more gift waiting for me. A beautiful great blue heron stood quietly in the water, hunting for dinner as the last light reflected around him.
That’s the thing about being present. You think the beautiful moment has ended, and then life gives you another one.
The sunset.
The wind.
The wings.
Pegleg’s voice.
A hungry little pigeon with terrible table manners.
And a great blue heron ending the evening.
None of it was planned. I just had to be there to notice it.
Enjoy the present. This moment is a gift.
Grateful. Always.
Capturing beauty, sharing light.
—April
