Thursday, June 28, 2012

Quiet Contemplation::3


Family.
This picture was from last September.
Every last one of us was there.
Our first family getaway and hopefully not our last.

This weekend we go to an extended family reunion of sorts.
Lots of people.
Lots of personalities.
Not all of us are best friends, so to speak.
We don't see eye to eye.
There is unspoken resentment.
There is veiled judgement.
And above all, thankfully...
there is still love.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Quiet Contemplation::2


It has been a strange season for butterflies.
We have seen more Monarchs that we have ever seen.
In fact, Athena has never seen one until this June.
We have a late blooming lilac and it is attracting
butterflies like crazy.
This, lest you think I am nuts, is NOT a monarch
but and Canadian Tiger Swallowtail.
Athena has caught several.
She catches them, draws them and finally releases them.

Many, like this one, have ragged wings.
A bird perhaps?
One never really can grasp the beauty of a butterfly
unless one takes the time to look.

Take the time.

Quiet Contemplation:: 1


They really are as busy as they say,
and my how they gather at my chive blossoms.
If I counted I'll bet there would be two dozen
or more of these bumble bees.
Some are so large (over an inch long!)
that the sturdy stems of the blossoms
bend and bow under their weight.

My mother and brother are terrified of bumble bees;
even though they are reluctant to sting.
Not I. They just bumble around doing their jobs
bumping into things because of their poor eyesight.
Each one is slightly different from the other
but they all have their work at hand in common.

Bumble Bees.

Monday, June 25, 2012