Morning shadows . . . The eyes of the aspen are watching to see if before you cross over to that next place you’ll take your simple life and grind it up in your imagination so as to build exquisite arbors of memory your children and children’s children can stand beneath and find shade. If…

We sit with our supper plates in front of the tv. Old folks with comfortable routines. Our evenings are chilly already, these recliners soft and warm. A blanket covers my legs, and a padded lap desk. My Daddy had salt and pepper shakers on the side table next to his chair when it was just…