The world always refreshes itself when
seen through new eyes. This is one of those maxims I always forget. I go
bumping along in the night, working on this and that, forgetting that the
quickest way to give myself new energy is to try looking at things as though
I have never seen them before.
This was confirmed recently as we added a new member to our
menagerie of animals at home. This time it was a kitten. Now, it’s been
a while since we’ve had a kitten around the house. Just ask the last one
who appeared - Sunday is her name - and that was 11 years ago. Anyone who
has had a similar experience certainly knows that there is an energy in
a kitten you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, her real name, “Sassafras,”
has been quickly replaced by her nickname, “Rocket Cat.” She doesn’t just
move to someplace. She suddenly appears there.
Her arrival has been somewhat disconcerting to the current
brood. Huckleberry Finn, our Office Dog and Greeter, was the first to welcome
her to the house. Since he believes he’s really a cat anyway, he didn’t
have a lot of trouble with Sassy Cat. Midget, the oldest of the gang, has
taken on respect in Sassy’s eyes. A Mom figure, I suppose. But they’ve
become fairly good friends. On the other hand, the new arrival has been
nothing but trouble for Sunday. Although things are going more smoothly
after a few weeks, Sassy is still invading Sunday’s turf.
What’s fun about Sassy is her wonder as we take her to the
lakeshore and she sees that huge expanse of Lake Superior. Her blue eyes
are usually wide, but I thought they’d pop out the first time. Ever since,
what an adventure it has been as she walks on the rocks, dips her toes
in the tide pools, backs off as the waves roll in, watches the sea gulls
dip and dive, considers the phenomenon of Mom and Dad actually swimming
in the lake (this year it was possible) and generally just soaks it all
up with excitement. Turn that around, and this writer also looks in a refreshed
way at what the kitten sees and feels. Sometimes it takes just a little
thing to get us looking at what we love with all the more respect.
By the by, speaking of new things, those of you who are diligent
readers will note a couple of changes in the magazine’s masthead. Our growing
and expanding company is excited to welcome the well-respected Konnie LeMay
aboard as our new Managing Editor and equally enthralled with the new duties
of Hugh Bishop as our Senior Writer. As Hugh pays more attention to feature
writing and tackles more long-planned book projects, Konnie is taking on
the task of keeping this editor in line and making sure that our works
get done on time and in proper order. We’re happy to extend a welcome and
congratulations. See! Once again, new things are a wonder. We know our
readers will be the beneficiary.
Paul L. Hayden
Editor
|
New
Eyes, New Vision