Needless to say, I haven’t posted in forever. Work and traveling occupy much of my time.

My mother died in late January after an accident in early December, and I was out of commission for weeks, first trying to prevent it, then trying to make it bearable, then (and still) sorrowing over it. She was 88. She was lucky to have her wits about her until her last days. She was a very good mother and person.

Along with many other people, I’m in disbelief about what is happening in the U.S. But everyone reads the news, one way or another. And some people who don’t like democracy think it’s all just fine. May they boil in oil.

As a respite from the news, I turn to nature and books written long ago. I’m rereading “Swann’s Way” in a different translation now, and it’s as fabulous as it was 10 years ago. I am again cataloging the abundant flowers.