{Upstream}

One tree is like another tree, but not that much. One tulip is like the next tulip, but not altogether. More or less like people-a general outline, the the stunning individual strokes. Hello Tom, hello Andy, Hello Archibald Violet, and Clarissa Bluebell. Hello Lillian Willow, and Noah the oak tree I have hugged and kissed every first day of spring for the last thirty years. And in reply it's thousands of leaves tremble! What a life is ours! 
            Doesn't anybody in the world anymore want to get up in the middle of the night and sing?
                                                     -Mary Oliver, Upstream

One of the best things about being "creatively organized" is I have a back log of pictures. It's hard to delete these files even after I've edited and tucked them away. So these huge RAW files sit on my computer til I want to avoid doing work (right now in fact) and I decide it's time to mop the floor and oh yeah...How about I clean out Lightroom. I came across this photograph from a trip to Arizona about six years ago. In general, I can find beauty with most landscapes. With the exception of North Dakota. I can't. I just can't even. I've tried. The desert is an abstract painting speckled with tiny details in unusual places. It's airy, peaceful and majestic. This picture was a favorite, despite the odd crop. I believe I was trying to avoid bees while shooting. And the I'm currently reading Mary Oliver's book of essays Upstream. Which is tremendous and easy to get lost in its pages.

{Everglades}

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” ― John Muir, John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir

I finally had a chance to go kayaking and it did not disappoint. In an attempt to step outside my comfort zone I signed up for a 3 hour tour through Grassy Water Park with a friend of mine. We were led through the Everglades by a very competent tour guide, who pointed out natural creatures and plants of the swamp life. No alligators were seen on this tour, which was disappointing, but I hear they hide out...but are Wallflowers...and blend in. The best part was the relief in provided to be somewhere quiet and natural. Surrounded by water, hidden sub life surrounding me. The air was humid but there was a breeze. This is the time of year in Florida to enjoy. The water lily's stole my heart as well as trees. Which from what I understand host other plant life-Our tour guide could give a better description. By the end of the three hours I was physically worn out and mentally calm as a cucumber. Decided I'm most definitely am buying a kayak.