Have no clue what butterfly this is, so if anyone knows let me know. Nor do I know the gender. Almost have to be a butterfly to know that difference. I do know the flower is a coneflower. Sometimes things just fall into place and other times they dont. This was one those time it did. As I knelt down to photograph some coneflowers that are close to the end of their season of life, this butterfly wanted in the photo. This one flitted back and forth between two flowers directly in front of me. Butterflies and birds are attracted to the sweet nectar of coneflowers. I could almost hear this one calling out, “Pick me. Pick me.” So I did.
Last nights walk through Rowland Moore Park allowed me to see nature do, what I thought, was a very strange thing. From a distance I noticed a leaf suspended in mid-air. I stopped and moved closer. It looked like a blade of grass had poked through a hole in the leaf and was holding it up. So, I grabbed a photo and continued on my walk. After loading it on the computer and lowering my exposure, I was able to see that the leaf was suspended in the air because it had fallen on a spiderweb. The sensor saw it but my eyes did not. The walk also included a photo of the setting sun bursting through tree branches and couple huge dandelions, everyones favorite flower.
On a walk at the Environmental Learning Center I encounter two mothers and three little ones exploring nature. They were smiling and running all over the place. A good time was being had by all. I was surprised by the answer I received when I asked the kids if they had seen any bears or mountain lions. Their answer: a bug. I couldn’t make out what bug they had seen but it sure left an impression.
As I walked on my way I thought about how they were seeing this nature area compared to how an adult was seeing it. Since they were somewhere around 4 or 5 the world they were seeing was from my waist down. So, it was a whole different perspective for them and me. As I walked on a phrase kept coming to mind: “down to earth.”
I’ve mentioned before of a small bakery in Old Town, one of those places I have come to patronize. It’s name is Little Bird Bakeshop. It has that European feel to it, which is a draw for me. I sometimes pass by as ride my bicycle to Old Town for my morning exercise and a latte. There are table outside are on the north side so they receive nice shade on a summer morning and throughout the day. I patronize this shop because it’s locally owned, offers some very nice pastries, cappuccinos, lattes, is a nice respite in the shade and, as you can see in this image, some mornings you’ll find nice legs.
After 21 months of having a daughter and two teenage grandchildren living with me, I now have my condo back. I have a small one bedroom one bath condo and adding three more people it became much smaller. My daughter and granddaughter slept in my bedroom and my grandson and I used bunk beds in my living room. It was nice to sleep in my own bed in my own bedroom. They really did not bring that much stuff but when all of it is this little condo it seemed like so much more.
So, now we all have moved on to anther phase of life. These months were a stress on all of us. We learned a lot about each other. Some issues we dealt with and some we didn’t. This time allowed me to discover a few things about myself and them that I did not about before. It’s a change not having them here but pretty sure I will adjust in couple of hours. I’ve already noticed it’s quieter and peaceful. I no longer find dirty dishes in the sink or shoes laying around on the floor or curling iron sitting on the bathroom counter or someone in the bathroom.
I missed that bedroom. I was not aware of how much of a sanctuary it was and how much time I spent there. It’s a simple bedroom: a full size bed, a dresser, a small desk and a wicker rocker. I now having quiet mornings, and evenings, in that rocker with my latte, again.
