Out, first thing, but still it's very warm. At the trail head of my walk, a tour bus and a group of hikers, from a football club, I guess, are stretching. It's Sunday morning. For the first time since I've arrived I will share the trail. I run into other walkers, and residents are in the yards of their small houses by the sea. All the usual dogs, chained in their yards, bark meanly at me as  I pass. First, I happily meet my lizard friend, climbing a tree in the forest. Then, in the sugar cane field by the little blue abandoned car, I find one passion flower opened among many not yet in bloom. Here, a striped caterpillar climbing a yellow flower, and there, a flowering pink vine against a blue cloud sky in the window of the stone ruin - my favorite place to stop. I am so happy, so content, so grateful to be alive. Last night, our dear friend's brother died. Geoff had to leave, abruptly, Friday, from our trip together here in Martinique to fly home to say goodbye. This morning, I walk with sadness for this loss, and gratitude, energy, exuberance; I am awake, aware, there is so much to see and discover, learn and appreciate. I think about my book, how it might be organized. Thinking is good, but it's not writing. Tomorrow, I will write. I will, like the caterpillar, inch my way along.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2018