A Serene Stroll along the River

There are moments in life when the world seems to slow down, and those are the moments I cherish most. This morning offered such an opportunity for me to enjoy a quiet walk along the meandering river north of town. The glassy water beautifully reflected the trees and mountaintops as birds sang and squirrels chattered. It has always been one of my favorite walks, and one I hadn't taken in far too long.

Moments like this are part of what originally inspired me to write the Gallagher books. I c...