As mentioned previously, I've had a change in employment that has allowed me to work from home. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoy getting up at a reasonable time and taking care of my morning duties at a slower pace.

One thing I'm able to do when the weather permits is to grab a bottle of water and sit on the screened porch and watch the morning begin to unfold. Today seemed to start much quieter than normal.

Normally there are a few people headed off to work and the occasional walker/runner going through our neighborhood. This morning had no traffic and just a handful of walkers.

There is very, very little air movement, but it's mostly sunny and a comfortable temperature. I can hear squirrels scurrying around and the normal song birds. Additionally a woodpecker is busy doing his thing in the back yard. Crickets and other ground dwellers maintain a constant hum. The only real sign of modernity was a single engine plane way off in the distance that I could barely just hear.

As if that weren't enough, about 15 minutes after sitting down I smell bacon, sausage and eggs. The best part - it's coming from my kitchen. The Mrs. has decided breakfast is in order - who am I to argue?

The only sound I hear while I work is a ceiling fan's constant low level hum and the occasional dog in the distance.

At lunch time, I go for a walk in the neighborhood for 30 minutes and come back to rest on my porch to a refreshing iced tea before getting back to work.

I take it in as best I can, and only hope that if/when it ends I will be able to hold on to these memories.