To my left, on a table are two books. Two really good books. I am reading them at the same time. Two chapters a day each. They are beautiful stories. Not complicated.  Somehow, their simplicity stirs images and memories in me. A new story pops into my head. Hmmm, that might be fun to write and see what turns up. Then, conversations from the longer manuscript drift into my ears. Yes, write those down too, I think. The sun is brightly spilling into the room. The cat is sleeping on the unmade bed. My brain is awake and alive. I can feel this small communion between my heart and my brain. I wonder if that is where joy lives: my brain with its little ideas tickling my will and my desire. The two of them waking me up, making me feel alive and excited.