#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Monarch in the Butterfly Weed

After a lot of dancing, legs tight. Pleasantly hard to wake up. A dry, sunny morning. I planned to write my weekly Aim for Astonishing writing prompt (the first in many weeks) but I am coaxed outdoors, coffee in hand. A walk to the river. Our favorite rock. A turtle jumps into the river from the bank. A goldfinch perches in the bush beside us, darts away. The Special One in my lap, the mud-black edge of the river at our feet, we sit for awhile, listening to the far away owl and watching the signs of fish breaking the surface. Just peace. And then, more walking in the dry grass under the trees. Eventually, coaxed indoors for breakfast after a long time in the yard. I have many household chores. Clearing of kitchen, putting away groceries and laundry. Then I get to my prompt, and get that sent. And, Charlie is waiting for his walk. Special One needs a nap, so I offer to take him on my back. We stop at the garden of the milkweed and butterfly bush, and suddenly, there in the bright sun, I see it! The monarch is in the butterfly bush that has two or three blooms left. We watch it for some time. And I reach out, and the butterfly lets me touch it, gently. And then the little one wants to touch it gently too. And then it is done with us and the nectar for the moment and is gone. We are satisfied. And moments later, the one in my pack is fast asleep. I take a long, hot walk with a lot of weight on my back, but I don’t mind. No swim today. Instead, furniture shopping with Frank for the new living room/dining room that is being redone. And with a wonderful salesperson, we try many many couches, and I finally find one that I like, and she is quite relieved. Thank goodness Frank makes dinner tonight. I am very very tired from a full and happy weekend at home.