good practice

The IRS surprised me with a notification that I owe $700 more than I already paid on my taxes. That’s a significant dent. I want to spread the payment out. I’ve been waiting 45 minutes on hold to talk about this. I am not irate, or impatient, or anxious. I am having tea and gazing at my friend Prospero, the giant pine. Like his namesake he has human qualities, including human faults, he has magical powers: he has the ability to control the weather, and also the actions and movements of people and the spirits who live on his island. My deck overlooks the parking lot of my little apartment complex, my island. That will be a good stage for my drama. I want to tell a story. First I need a cast of characters. I want to enjoy the quirks, and feel the heart of each one, It will be good practice for life.