Landscape Mode Challenge

Come to my window, come and stay by the light of the moon!

It is summer now but I will never forget just how this valley remained hidden in fog, bathed in the night sky. We were our own rainforest and I had a treehouse. That second floor view was magical in that it made us the same height, myself and the crests of the valley. I now know those crests by their summer name, the palm trees. Palm trees are possessed by any properly patriotic California neighborhood.

I hope that this summer brings as much joy to those who seek the beaches and the pools and the clear skies, as I found joy in the winter; when I could be mistaken for a werewolf in search of that elusive moon.

Make no mistake: We are excited. This new sight will bring the adoration of many; and, the pitter patter of those who feel safe in the warmth of the sun’s glow will come to see. Slowly, they will turn. Slowly, they will stay. Slowly, they will come to adore the winters too. One day, there will be someone howling with the wind at the moon in these parts; and that someone will not be only me.

Soon, there will be new crests and shapes added to this valley; to create shadows in the night, to become hidden with the winter. And the cycle will begin again when we discover all that is new, come next summer.

The hills are alive with the sound of music. Let the birds chirp and guide you. Let the eggs of Easter be a promise too. Let’s forget to mow the lawns and let the crickets chirp soon. Let us be noisy in unison. When the children jump in both glee and shock at the cold clear waters of your pools, let them be joined by the birds and the crickets. Build tennis courts and crack the sound barrier with balls and rackets. Let dogs bark as they chase them. Let sneakers squeak and no one complain; because, we all know how lucky we are to have found each other or at least recognize the pull that drives us to stay; and, realize we are all one in unison. We are those forests and beaches and neighborhoods.

And as the bees buzz with the news, let the sun dry our tears as we find new things to love. Let our surroundings support and comfort us. Let us enjoy that summer to the best of our ability so that the we can be blessed with the rains of winter once again.

So come, come to my window. Get sun kissed ever so slightly this year because we need you here. We’ll need you next year as well. We welcome you. We hold the capacity to be Instagram famous. Together. We have ants from Texas, lizards from Arizona, cacti from Nevada, trees from Washington, beavers from Oregon, hawks from Idaho, and girls from California; each and every one, a national treasure.

This valley will entrance you. You will learn the echoes of the canyon make the ideal concert venue. You will desire to see the whole thing in panoramic. You will one day find the place so soothing that you too will be able to fall asleep here, like the rest of us. I dusted off my beach sand mat years ago and found that the seagulls still visit me. You will bring your sports cars, I hear them. Hello, neighbor! Nice to finally meet you. And what does our world look like from your window?