Never get involved in a land war in Asia*

Rain. Rain, rain, rain. Gray sky. When I look out – out into our winter-denuded backyard – the deck and our neighbors' towering house and the sky all blend together. Gray, gray, gray.

In an hour I'll head to the bus stop. My husband thinks I should let the kids walk home alone, but these gray days are so much more interesting to walk through than to look at; I can't resist going up to meet them.

Now that passage there sounds as if I'm depressed, but here's what I'm really thinking:

This is peace.

This leisurely contemplation of the weather, a note on the color of the sky, thoughts on whether 'tis better to walk in the rain or look at the rain: this is peace.

*Quote from The Princess Bride, of course!