Every day at 10 minutes to 5 our 92 year-old library volunteer arrives at the front desk carrying the flag. His self-appointed job is to raise the flag just after dawn and to take it down before dusk. He does this without fail. He has been teaching me how to fold the flag, a task and an honor that I had never been given as a young girl- something only boys were allowed to do. I take the folding quite seriously, as seriously as he takes his instructions, though they are given with a smile and an infectious good humor.

What I wanted to say is that no matter how long or hard the day has been, his arrival marks its closure. His presence reminds us to be engaged with the simple things, especially since he can never be ignored. He is like a little angel tottering in the door, and forgive me but he does totter a bit at 92. We love to tease him and always save a bit of whatever treat we have been munching on. We expect this of each other.

The other day I was still too busy and harried at 10 minutes to 5 to help him with the flag and I regretted it. I did not pay attention. I did not take the time for his reminder. So yesterday I folded the flag more perfectly and teased him more lovingly to make up for it.

The photos above are reminders from this month- a friend’s new puppy saved from a shelter in Tennessee, our new kitten adopted after she lost her home, a duckling born this summer standing by her mother’s side. Reminders all of some of those things that are important, things that keep us engaged… anyway, that is what is on my mind.