I stepped out early Saturday morning with my cup of coffee and my dog. No one was around and the air hung with the silence of a spring morning, sparkling with sun and rustling branches and bird song, and the smell of flowers and cut grass. I stood for a moment and just took it in. Out from a hole in a nearby tree flew the Flicker I had seen around, and in flew his mate – changing of the guard. In bold relief against new green buds on a neighboring tree was the male Oriole – singing with everything he had. His song makes me stop in my tracks – such joy and clarity from this tiny, feathered body. And I wondered if God had fun creating all these creatures – every color, detail and unique voice lovingly placed. So much beauty in such simplicity. . . . Is that possible for us – humans with minds full of plans and worries and grudges and our own ideas – to return unrestrained praise to our Creator?