"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature....

I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." ~ Anne Frank

It's still 107 degrees and scorching here, but yesterday, just down the street - literally 5 houses down from us - I saw a beautiful old shade tree that I'd never noticed before. Perhaps we notice these things sometimes only out of necessity, as I've been walking my daughter up and down, up and down the sidewalk in the sweltering heat to help her fall asleep for her naps. She's a Texas girl who loves being warm, and being outside immediately calms her.

Yesterday afternoon as I paced the sidewalk once again with Luci Belle perched on my shoulder in her white hat, I noticed The Shade Tree at the end of the sidewalk and went towards it, to stand beneath it. A breeze instantly enveloped us and the air felt ten degrees cooler. I looked up, deep into its branches, and swayed my baby girl back and forth as we both enjoyed its covering.