In the mid 1970’s I rented a small apartment by Lake Merritt in Oakland. My tiny daughter, Song, was just around the age of two. On Bellevue Avenue with a large open window facing the lake, our little place offered shelter with a wonderful view of trees, lawn, water, sky, birds, and an invitation to daily adventures at the lakeside. Many mornings would find us in the early hour magic of unfolding day gathering snacks to share with the birds and breakfast for ourselves. Delighted, out the door, down the stairs, Song would carry her gifts to the creatures of air. The wide lawns were fields of potentiality and the promise of freedom in flight.