It is easy to get lost in my head when I am doing something routine, like walking the dog.  I walk the dog every morning.  I don’t always follow the same route, but I travel the same area because I know the length of time it takes and the distance.  Sometimes it takes a concerted effort to keep seeing what is around me.  Today I was rewarded for my attention to the world by spotting two raccoons asleep in a tree.  I acknowledge all the negative things that are said about raccoons, but seeing them curled into little fluffy balls on tree limbs and crooks…they are just darn cute.  They are cute even when the are looking at me balefully from their perch, if it was from my porch it would be a different matter.  The other thing I discovered on my walk was my first bloodroot blossoms.  I love the way the leaf curves around the stem, the beauty and simplicity of the flower.  They are easy to over look, lost amongst the leaf debris.  It was like finding a little treasure.  When I dragged my kids out later in the day to take some photographs of my discoveries they were a little challenged about my excitement over the flowers.  I unintentionally kept them entertained as I spent some time cursing at my camera because it insists on not focusing on what I want it to.  I swear the older it gets the more obstinate it becomes.