A content loner

	The temperature has been falling drastically. Friends and I golfed last Sunday and thought that might be the last outdoor golf of the year. After a week of rain, to my surprise today I woke up to sunshine. Looking through my bedroom window, the bleeding oaks and firing maples against blue sky, I yearned to walk on the grass and smell the after-rain aroma. And I packed the golf bag and headed toward the course alone. I started from back nine. It is a ski path in winter and has beautiful rolling hills. Two holes oversee the shining river. Fall colors are in peak now. Under the morning sun, all shades of red, orange and green glittering so serenely. I walked the whole 18 holes. The rain has made the grass so richly green and bouncing, it was like walking on thick down feathers. Some places, lower terrain retained rain, I just loved that soft squishing sounds my FootJoy made. I saw deer path on the sand traps. Birds chirpped on top of the trees and gave me wonderful company. I thought about my life, my love and my job. I counted the blessings… It’s a meditation, relaxation and enjoyment. No one ahead or behind me on the vast course, occasionally mountain bikers dashed by beyond the other side of trees and bushes. I played two balls, rarely a luxury like this happened. I was so good today.Two balls almost always landed right next to each other. On the green, morning dew was still shinning on grass. When I putted, the golf ball spun droplets of water and drew a visible line behind itself. Observing this stunning details I’d overlook, were I accompanied by friends, I thought life is gorgeous. Sometimes I laughed at my mistakes and cheered a good ball played. I played so well, scored lower 90’s! How often were you alone and enjoyed it? Solitude is bliss today.