– I had a layover in Elmira, New York—six hours long.

Warblers, whistlers, and trillers sang. Joe and Maybe Dave knew when not to talk, too, when beauty itself was the conversation.

Maureen Ryan Griffin has loved words and stories since her “Cat in the Hat” days and leads writing workshops and retreats (www.WordPlayNow.com). She’s published in numerous literary journals and will soon appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, Angels and Messages from Heaven. Her books include Ten Thousand Cicadas Can’t Be Wrong (poetry); Spinning Words into Gold (writing guide); How Do I Say Goodbye: A Companion in Grieving, Healing, and Gratitude, and a daily journal practice, TAG, I’M IT! She and her husband, Richard, live in Charlotte, NC.