“What if this is all we get of heaven?” - James Crews, “Small, Good Things”
Hello friends! This is edition 200 of these midweek newsletters, the first one was in March 2022. It’s my 385th Substack post overall, including the early days in 2020. I had no idea what I was doing when I started - but then again, isn’t that how things grow? We never really know where we’re going, maybe only what direction we’ve chosen for the next step.
The quote above came across my email today, even as I had been pondering a similar quote all week. What if this is it? How do I find joy in this, whatever this is right now, without needing it to change to be ok?
The only way I know is to tune in to the beauty that is here, like these moments:
Sunrise, June 25, 2024
A bee on water willow, elegantly taking a drink.
A bigger bee feasting on chicory pollen.
Sulfur butterfly
Dear damselfly, what do you see when you look at me?
When your tail has an itch.
Party at shelter 12 - was I invited?
Flight control, we have an intruder. Big blue bomber. Red-winged blackbird is on his tail.
It’s not so different than watching a small fighter plane out maneuver a cargo plane.
Heron was not happy. Poor heron. Those red-winged blackbirds are persistent.
Molting. It’s a tough time to be a male mallard. He seems very comfortable though.
Squirrel was enjoying the mulberries.
Mid-flight chin scratch. Purple martin’s are such agile fliers, nothing phases them!
Mrs. Purple Martin says a chin scratch is nothing, how about turn your head completely upside down while flying? “Anything you can do…”
That’s about as close to in focus as I’ve ever gotten on a chimney swift from such close range. They are called swifts for a reason!
Reminds me of how the old farmers would chew on a piece of straw or grass. Did I actually ever see that or was it in a movie? It could have been my grandfather’s relatives.
Floating away in a see of fluffy clouds.
Thanks for being here friends. May your weekend be full of beauty in spite of whatever else may come your way.
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You take such stunning photos. And I love your story telling as well, especially your brief reference to Annie Get Your Gun! 😄
Yes this is it. And there is joy to be found. Well done on your milestone edition. You have always been so consistent in your publishing