I still get a spine-tingling thrill when I am suddenly cast into shadow by a large crow, fattened by wisdom with a head full of witnessed memories, landing somewhere in front of me on a wire or on a branch, preening blues and blacks and purples, shimmering with every moment until he leans forward with wings back and lets the world know he has arrived. It was a mixed day today, socializing with friends, discussing heavy topics, but with an expansive afternoon on the porch in the 70 degree weather that set my mind on a different course.