In the late afternoon I liked to sit in my library. The sun streamed bright through the two windows and I liked the way it felt on my skin, particularly since my house ran on the cool side. It was my favourite part of my day. I’d cozy up in my old and worn teal corduroy armchair and let the sun sweep over me as I allowed myself to doze for an hour or bit. It wouldn’t take long before my loyal companion, Delta, a Bernese Mountain dog, would shuffle in. He’d been with me for several years now and lying in the sun was just as much part of his afternoon routine as it was mine. He’d first sit at my feet for a bit waiting for me to acknowledge him. I’d pat his head; he’d smile; let out a puff of satisfied air; stand up, walk in a circle or two and finally lie down beside my chair on the hard wood floor.
The library wasn’t a large room. It was in the back portion of the house with a curved wall and built-in shelves. The shelves were delicately stuffed with books and more could be found in piles littering the floor, alongside stacks of magazines and newspapers, and a couple globes. My late husband loved to read and run his finger along maps. The wood floor was dark and scuffed with age and the evidence of an indoor pet. I didn’t mind. The scuffed floor added to the character of the house and I liked that. The character of an old house is important. Intriguing. Imaginative. This house had character and I loved it all the more.
Today was a particularly lovely day to be sitting in the sunshine. It was early fall and as I looked out the window into my backyard I noticed some of the leaves had started to fall and cover my garden and yard.
