Hmmm. Could I possibly be any happier? Nope. Didn’t think so.

Maybe it was the smell of the hazelnut coffee that Nicholas put in my hand at 6 a.m this morning. Maybe it was the hot shower that felt like the closest thing to heaven on Earth that mere mortals will ever experience. Maybe it was the hint of coolness in the air, a reminder that autumn will be here soon, bringing my favorite trifecta — Friday night football, fall foliage, and plenty of work.

Maybe it was just the pleasure of being paid to do something I love doing and actually remembering how much I love it.

Whatever the case, I thoroughly enjoyed shooting the Farmers Market for the paper this morning, and I brought back quite a few images that pleased me. The rest of the afternoon has been equally outstanding.

For the first time in a long time, I am typing this from my porch swing, leaning back against a pillow and dangling barefooted feet off the end. The air is cool and a light breeze jangles the wind chimes from time to time. Hummingbirds flit above my head, stopping every once in a while to inspect the pink and lavender crape myrtles that are finally blooming, and I can’t help but smile as I realize why that annoying bird has been squawking outside my window all week — she has built a bird nest on the column above my swing.

Life seems suddenly peaceful and filled with promise. There are a thousand things I want to read and watch and shoot and write. A thousand things I want to experience. I haven’t been here in a while and I have to admit — it’s a pretty a pretty nice place to be.

Other news: The peas story will appear in the editorial/commentary section of tomorrow’s Tuscaloosa News. Two photos from the 2004 West Alabama State Fair were also published this week in Snaps Magazine.

Music: You and Me by Lifehouse (lyrics)

Pic of the day: “Final Rays” by Andrew at Houser Design and “Doorway” by Mark at 4×6.