How Beauty Shows Up

I asked for permission to walk into the greenhouse to take a few pictures. The bedding plants were just beginning to take root. The park ranger was smoothing cement for a strong support within the greenhouse. I talked with another young ranger about the joys of picture-taking. The morning rain had eased off, so I walked the garden beneath light diffused by soft clouds. The peonies ranged from buds to full blossoms. The irises rose from the gardens like dots connecting one to another, leading the way to a larger picture—it’s own kind of surprise.

Every day I find beauty simply because I look for it. I look for it in the same way I draw air into my lungs. As though I need it to survive. This is not an exaggeration; it feels deeply true.

Still Life

I sometimes struggle with still life work. When I work with objects rather than living subjects, I remove elements of unpredictability and exercise greater control. I can’t truly say that I am attempting to convey any deep philosophical statement. And, often a single picture seems incomplete—like one half of a conversation. But, place those pictures side-by-side and there is a dialogue. Two ordinary objects carrying the weight of meaning, whatever that meaning is to the viewer. In any case, I worry that these are just pictures of things and not about things. Until I step back, and see myself in the frames, and let go of the notion that any of it needs to mean anything at all. A ripe heirloom tomato in a thrifted bowl. Tiny red begonias in a wall pocket. Pictures of moments of stillness, where things are simple for a second.

The Six-Second Hug

Six-second hug, May 2026

I cannot remember exactly where I read about the value of a six-second hug. I only remember that it was during the heart of the pandemic, and I was struggling.

Once I shared this finding with my husband, he was completely on board. He really tried to get in those six-second hugs with me.

Six-seconds feels like an eternity for me.

And while I’d be the first to admit that I want to be loved, I also recognize that one of my negative core beliefs about myself is that I am unworthy of such love. There is a push and pull between wanting those deep connections and not allowing myself to have them.

Somewhere deep inside, I have convinced myself that it is not okay for me to have needs. Not okay to express negative emotions. Not okay to show up as myself.

There is great vulnerability in acknowledging these beliefs, and it is incredibly sad.

But there is also great healing in learning to use my observations to change my thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

The work continues.