Proof

A few days ago I went over to Margaret's house to catch up with her before we both went our separate ways for the Christmas holidays. As we stood outside saying good-bye we saw a bobcat, very near to the house, slinking around in a leisurely manner. We stood there in silence watching him for a long time, then tiptoed to the the side of the house for a better view as he walked up the hillside, still surprisingly near. He paused at one point and looked straight at us, and we could see every detail of his gorgeous feline face, even his almost-amber eyes and the tufts of fur on his ears.

I was thrilled, but also a tad bummed...I am known for always having a camera in my hands, and of course this time, when I could have snapped an exceptional bobcat portrait, up close and straight on, I had no camera. (The picture above is straight from the Internet.)

But because I had no camera, maybe I noticed more carefully.

And it brought to mind my favorite lines from Fitzcarraldo:

When he returned, he told of waterfalls that were more vast and immense than people had ever dreamed of.

But no one believed him.

They thought he was a madman or a liar.

They asked him, "What's your proof?"

And he answered..."My proof is......that I have seen them."