I know it is only the tail end of February, but I have been thinking quite a bit about butterflies. I think this is because I having been seeing my photographs of butterflies and flowers come up on our Aura Frame. Other photos come up as well: forests, lakes, oceans, canyons, mountains, and new and old photos of loved ones. I believe I am focusing on butterflies now because I am craving lightness and beauty. When I see those photos, I can almost feel the warm sun on my back and a mild breeze on my face. I remember butterflies on the Blue Ridge and on the North Rim, in the Great Basin, in Washington, D.C., and in many gardens I have grown.

The thing is, I am going through a rough time. Like I promised when I started writing this blog almost fifteen years ago, I do try to stay close to the ground. Beyond the pretty good particulars of my own life, on this cold blue day, I struggle with the darkness of cruelty, unkindness, ignorance, greed, and selfishness that invade the space around me. Like Joni Mitchell sang over fifty years ago, “Reading the news and it sure looks bad They won’t give peace a chance That was just a dream some of us had…”  I counter this darkness with the light from my family and friends and caring people I meet along my way.

On March 28, 2026 I plan on marching from near Arlington National Cemetery across Memorial Bridge to Washington, D.C. to speak up for our democracy, for our diverse society, and for our environment. Meanwhile, I need butterflies and flowers, and I thought you might need them, too.