Today. for the first time in a long time, I changed things up. I always get up early  and tend to dogs, cats, and horses, do some paperwork and head into the shop.  But this morning the air was crisp like that perfect Fall apple The Beartooth  mountains had fresh overnight snow and the sky was azure blue. If ever there  were a time to be a little late for an arbitrary timeline this was the morning. I decided to play hooky from my own life.  

So I went down to the barn, saddled my horse, Willie, and followed a cow path from the barn to a 200 acre pasture that sits on a knoll behind the house. 

Perched on top of this plateau in the high plains, I could see the three mountain  ranges that surround Big Timber. Fresh snow had collected on every peak and all  I could do was smile. The sun toasted the last of the summer grass and gave it a  nutty scent. Thistles and wildflowers were long gone and in their places small  blades of green grass were getting ready for their autumn transition.  

Before Willie could give this change of routine too much thought (why wasn’t he out eating grass with his buddy?) he settled into his own rhythm and sensed that this was fun. My breathing synched with his, I swayed with his strides, and I trusted that he wanted this change of routine as much as I did. The cows passed us as they came down for water and Riley, my wonderful rescue dog, stuck with us for the morning jaunt. Nothing was rushed and nothing chancy. It was all just perfect. What a great way to start the work day.