Enjoy moments in between
Columnists, COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Opinion
 By  María Camp Published 
12:16 pm Friday, April 7, 2023

Enjoy moments in between

As we rush from place to place and task to task each day, caught up in doing and going and planning, we don’t always stop to fully appreciate the in-between moments that weave themselves into the ever-growing tapestry of our days, weeks, months and years.

If we aren’t careful, we might not notice them at all.

One morning a few weeks ago, as I was making my way from one part of the county to another, I saw something out of the corner of my eye as I made my way along one of the many roads going through rural Franklin County.

Had I been a few seconds later, I would have missed it entirely, but as it happens, there was a chicken, just completing his journey of crossing the road. As I observed his quick and safe arrival to the non-proverbial other side, I felt a certain satisfaction in having been in the right place at the right time to witness it.

Seeing a real-life chicken finish crossing the road without having his motivations questioned put a little smile on my face.

In my humble musings, however, I decided his journey was most assuredly of a top-secret nature that certainly could not be freely divulged.

This weekend, as I was making my way to Hodges, I was going along, enjoying the day and absence of any other traffic when a huge bird – I’m assuming a buzzard – appeared from the right. He went swooping low over the road – surprisingly, alarmingly close to my vehicle and moving rapidly as he flapped his huge wings.

It scared us both, to be sure, as was evident almost immediately. Flustered, he floundered a bit. He got almost across then promptly dropped his meal into the other lane as he made a hasty departure, passing in front of me again to retreat across the road and fly off to parts unknown.

Among the other little moments I enjoy along the way are when I go home to find one or two kitty neighbors have come for a visit, sitting serenely in favorite spots or sometimes napping on a particular perch. The grey-and-white cat is the most frequent visitor, though I’ve seen an orange tabby – which I’ll always think of as a “Morris cat;” if you’re old enough to remember, you know – several times as well, sometimes at the same time.

One year recently we had a rabbit stay for a spell, though he seems to have moved closer to the neighborhood pond. We’ve seen him a few times since as we’ve gone along our way.

I also enjoy seeing the ducks and geese there. Seeing my fine feathered friends makes me smile as I go along my way, secure they’re out and about and having a nice day.

While these happenings might not be life-changing, they can enrich our experiences, adding spice to our usual routine. At times, they might even spark something greater – a new idea or understanding or a glimmer of something previously unconsidered.

At the very least, it’s a few moments of interest to break up the routine. So don’t forget to notice what’s happening in your in-between moments as you go about your day. You never know what might be right in front of you.

Also on Franklin County Times
Main Street gets new director
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 10, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — New Main Street Director Erica Childers said she hopes to build momentum downtown through community events, business cooperation and in...
Legion will dispose of old flags
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
June 10, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — As Flag Day (June 14) approaches, officials are encouraging residents with dilapidated U.S. flags to dispose of them safely and properl...
Red Bay OKs website redesign
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
June 10, 2026
RED BAY — Town Square Group will redesign the city’s website, a move officials said would improve communication with residents and visitors while help...
Grand jury charges 2 in child porn case
News, Russellville
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
June 10, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The next time Abigail Roberts enters a courtroom will be to say whether she is guilty or not guilty of charges ranging from first-degre...
Sentencing for Dowdy is set for Aug. 4
News, Russellville
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
June 10, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Almost nine months after being convicted of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, Brandy Dowdy will finally learn how long sh...
Progress in education pays off for Alabama
Columnists, Opinion
June 10, 2026
Public education is powered by dedicated educators who believe in Alabama’s children — from the classroom teacher helping a student discover a love of...
Study club prepares for next chapter
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
June 10, 2026
The May dinner meeting of Book Lovers Study Club featured guest speaker Cynthia Geis, GFWC Alabama North District director. Geis and I have been frien...
Bendall takes role in ‘Waiting for Godot’
News, Russellville
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
June 10, 2026
Konner Bendall has been chasing the stage since he first put on a Santa suit for a school program at seven years old. Now, the Russellville native is ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *