They are finally blooming! As a friend and I were pulling out of a parking lot the blooms in the top picture caught my eye. I pulled the car over and my friend graciously allowed me to jump out of the car to take some pictures of the marsh mallows. I had never seen blooms as wide as these. They were a lovely lavender and white. I then asked if we could take a ten minute drive to the one river where I know they bloom every year. We drove to the river, crossed the bridge and pulled over. I did not get out as I was worried about being hit by another vehicle so my friend rolled his window down and I took a few pictures. All the white dots are the blooms. It is a nice river though you really don’t want to go in it as the current as pretty strong. I have grown to love the marsh lands. Where I grew I up Massachusetts it was a lot of trees and stone walls with ponds. Not many rivers where I lived. They were more in western Mass or closer to Boston. Since I moved to Maryland I have lived on or near three different rivers. I love all the wildlife and plants that I can find around them. I can walk out my door and see dragonflies, butterflies, barn swallows, chimney swifts, purple martins, ospreys, mockingbirds, eagles, deer, turtles and all sorts of skinks and snakes. I am blessed.
Yesterday while I was walking an elderly dog I care for, we stopped to take a rest. While resting a painted lady butterfly landed on the dog’s back and stayed for a bit. It flew away and then returned again to the dog’s back before flying away for good. The butterfly came to a complete stop, resting it’s wings and just being. We all just stood and were for a minute-the dog, the butterfly and me. I was in awe and was grateful to witness it. I tried to get a picture but it was not meant to be. It was a little bit of a peaceful respite after waking up and hearing the awful news of what happened in Colorado. My heart breaks for the families and goes out to them. At times like this I find I need to ground myself a little bit and try to find a bit of good and happiness and the moment with the butterfly, dog and me was it. It was nice to lie in bed last night and listen to the rain and actually be a little cold after the oppressive heat and humidity we have had for a while. I enjoy connecting with my friends and with you. I hope you all have a good weekend and are able to find a bit of good and happiness if not a lot of good and happiness.
becca's event horizon 
Becca, your photos of the marsh just took my breath away (especially the second one) It’s as if it goes on forever.
It is beautiful on this river. On either bank you can stand and look north or south and see the marsh and the grasses as far as the eye can see. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
We did have a good weekend, went away for a few days to Grand Lake CO. Saw lots of moose, elk, deer, and many many birds! The nicest thing happened when we came home too. Found a fox family, mom and 3 kits near our home. They were beautiful! Very much needed time away as we lived in the neighborhood where the shooting took place in Aurora CO for 24 years. This tragedy really hit hard for us, although so grateful no one we knew personally was hurt.
It’s been a hard week here in Colorado.
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing them.
Sounds like you had a nice weekend. I’ve only seen moose when I’ve been in Maine. I have never seen a family of foxes that must have been a sight to see.
I’m so sorry it was a difficult time for you with what happened in Aurora. It was so sad and senseless.
I hope you continue to find happiness and wonder in the world. It can be hard to find sometimes but they are there.
Thank you for sharing. I can always picture Colorado in my mind by what you describe despite not ever having been there.
I loved your telling of the incident of the painted lady butterfly landing on the back of the old dog – and staying for a bit! These kinds of moments are true magic and really do change how we feel about the world. We just have to be looking – to catch them – and then let them sink into us and absorb them. How wonderful this one was! I can almost feel the moment myself from your telling it. Thanks.
Thank you for checking out my blog and for your kind words. It makes me happy that I was able to share how I was feeling in the moment with myself, the dog and the butterfly. The old dog passed away this weekend and I knew it was coming. I wondered at the time if it was a sign from above. It was a wonderful moment I shared with him. I wish I had more of the special moments.
I hope you have a great week and find some magic too.