Do you believe in magic?

I have a big old cactus in a pot in my garden. Every couple years it does this amazing thing. It did it today, when our hot and sweltering afternoon cooled to a delicious, balmy evening.

Here it is this afternoon, and a few hours later.

You want to know what this has to do with writing? Everything. Just for a moment, to feel how wonderful it is to be alive, breathe in a bit of beauty, and breathe out love and thanks.