I go and get the camera and do it. Photography is a medium in which if you don’t do it then, very often you don’t do it at all, because it doesn’t happen twice.”

– Paul Strand

The house is cold, even though the heat has kicked on, The sun is just rising and a thick bank of clouds hangs over the lake. I am the first one up, and know my husband will sleep another couple of hours, but it is not long before the dog wanders out looking for me. I open the door to the quiet, and watch him slip out the door, nose in the air, and before I even have the door closed he is baying. He runs randomly, trying to pick up the trail of the scent driving him. I watch as he crisscrosses our back deck and see the footprints right away. Slipping on my coat and shoes, I grab the treats, hoping the raccoon is long gone. He finally gives up the chase and trots over to claim his reward for keeping our yard safe. Hoping my neighbors slept through the commotion we both come back inside. I watch as he posts himself where he will have a clear view of the back yard, just in case. The room is dark, but I go and get my camera anyway. Because if I don’t do it now, it won’t get done.

The sun rises fast, and with the light I can see the frost. We both head back outside to welcome this winter day.