#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Hummingbird Moth In the Butterfly Weed, picture taken 2024

Summer day, a stay-at-home retreat for me. Frank away, Wave off to school and then away, quiet house. My daughter and I walk him up the driveway to school. Are we early? Is there school today? There’s no one at the bus stop but us! Soon enough, here come the other two families. We are early! Hooray! I walk to the pond in the sun and take a delicious swim. Halfway across the pond toward the pump house I realize I have forgotten to wear my safety swim buoy. Ooops! I don’t want to turn back, I don’t want to stop. I feel a little naked without it all of a sudden. I change course and swim closer to the island even though I’m trying to avoid the area where the geese hang. It feels like the right thing to do. I work at the computer most of the day on writing projects and another residency application sent off. In the late afternoon my daughter Perri and I are on the little deck at the side of the house admiring the side garden. A butterfly bush that I planted a year ago is now in full bloom - purple. She notices what looks like a hummingbird in the bush. But I know it’s not. It’s a hummingbird look alike, a hummingbird moth. I took this picture of one a couple of years ago, also while it was visiting a purple blooming butterfly bush in the old garden. Fascinating and fun! I loved how summery it was today. It will be cooler tomorrow and likely feel like fall. I am in a writing retreat online. Can’t wait!