Post Script — Donna Hopkins

After taking the still life photograph of these cone flowers yesterday, I put them in a pottery pitcher. I cannot say that I arranged them with any care, but I did not want to throw them away, as though they were spent. Then this morning they caught my eye. I noticed how much the simplicity of the scene appealed to me. I took a few pictures. Shared here.

Not knowing just what to say—other than the obvious—I used the AI feature on Squarespace. Just for fun. I typed “small rituals” as the caption for my photograph and asked for a blurb. This is what the AI feature generated.

Small rituals anchor our days, offering subtle moments of calm and intention amid the rush. Whether it's the quiet act of brewing morning coffee, arranging fresh flowers on the windowsill, or taking a few mindful breaths before starting work, these simple habits create a rhythm that grounds us. They remind us to pause, to savor the present, and to reconnect with what matters. In photography, capturing these understated moments reveals the beauty in everyday life, highlighting the grace found in routine and repetition. Small rituals, though often overlooked, are powerful threads that weave meaning into daily living.

I am likely late to the whole world of AI. My son who is a university librarian is highly knowledgeable about this topic. He has recently educated me on the tremendous energy demands that AI creates and the resulting impact on our environment. The AI generated writing is smoother than my own clunky and convoluted manner of writing. But still, it’s too perfect for me. Too easy. There is a big part of me that believes the old adage—anything worth having is worth working for. At my core, I believe in hard work and somehow this just feels like cheating. Anything that seems too good to be true, likely is. I will keep an open mind. I will remain curious. But I will also exercise caution and common sense.