In today's world, great emphasis is placed on what many call "progress." We must run faster, grow bigger, and eschew the old in place of the new. But in this effort, we often lose sight of what we already have. We miss what is here with us, right now, in this very place. In nature, many animals thrive because they know a specific place very well, and they return there again and again. (And based on what I see of my bird and squirrel friends in my backyard, they frequently do so at around the same time every day!) In birding, a "patch" is a place we return to often. While it is exciting to spot a new bird and explore a new place, there is a comfort and intimacy that comes whenever we return to our patch. We begin to notice rhythms, and as the season shifts, changes that might go undetected by those less familiar. We learn to notice and appreciate the small things. We might even learn to apply this to other areas of our lives. That's my hope for this community. The Patch is a place where we will practice paying attention to the things that matter in our everyday lives and being present for them. You are invited to join, and to return, whenever you can. You will always be welcome here. For today, I'd love to get to know you. I invite you to say "hello" in the comments, and if you're willing, to share something small you noticed or appreciated lately. It could be a bird at your feeder or a quiet moment that made you smile. Welcome to Your Patch. Amanda