Yesterday I was able to share some time and have a cup of coffee with my youngest daughter to celebrate her birthday -- a bit in advance. What we share with our kids sure changes as time goes by.

We share that first moment they come into the world. We share band-aids, hugs & kisses, advice and time as they grow up. Yesterday it was a cup of coffee -- a reminder my kids aren't kids anymore.

Who knows what we will share in the future. And that's something to look forward to.

I spent Friday morning collecting Sumac plumes to dye wool with. They were lovely in the early morning light in shades of crimson to orange. It made me smile to think of how pretty the wool would be once it had been dyed.

I know what you're thinking. The wool will be that same color of crimson-orange as the plumes, right? Well, that's not correct -- the dyed wool will be a lovely grey to grey-brown color. The pigment that comes out is not at all like the outside of the plant.

So it is with lots of things. Books, people, experiences. The outside is not always what is inside. Take some time to see the true colors.

This is the first summer that I do not have a round tan mark on my wrist. I have given up my life-long habit of wearing a wrist-watch every day.

Leaving the field of health care after 30+ years where a watch is necessary to track patient appointment times and some parameters of patient health, I decided the watch could go. I thought I would experiment with having my days less ruled by a clock and more by the natural flow of my tasks. It was uncomfortable at first, the not knowing exactly what minute of the day it was. But it has changed how I experience time.

I find tasks easier to finish without constantly looking to see if I'll have time for the next one. I create, read or think until I'm done and satisfied. I am less inclined to set time limits on a task but instead set a pleasure limit -- if it's going well and I'm having fun I'll continue. If it's just not the day to be productive or I'm making a mess of things I'll wait until tomorrow. I give myself permission to glance out the window, think a full thought or settle down for a quick nap.

Each day still has the same number of minutes and hours. But time stretches out or can shrink away to nothing. I've found my mind is a better timepiece for the marking of my hours. I don't think I'll ever buy another watch.

I was fortunate enough to spend some time the other night on a rooftop of a local college with a set of telescopes. There was a beautiful sunset, a great view over the city and a thin sliver of moon.

The telescopes were turned on and focused. That sliver of moon revealed craters arrayed in random patterns. I've seen the moon by telescope before but it's still fascinating. I walked over to the next telescope focused on Saturn. I don't know what I expected -- perhaps just a brighter point of light?

But there it was -- a complete planet with rings. No kidding, you could see the rings! I was looking at something so far away and actually seeing it for real. It was astonishing. And that was the real gift. Not just seeing that beautiful sight but having a moment in an ordinary day when I was truly amazed and excited. Here's wishing those moments to you all!