Mmmmmmmm.

There’s beautiful bits of nature everywhere you look.

It started Friday morning, when I was just trying to learn how to use my new camera. The yellow Easter flowers seemed like a good photo subject—flowers are always a good subject; it’s hard to make them look bad—and the soft light on the back patio was ideal for shooting.

Clearly, I haven’t figured everything out yet, or that flower in the middle would be in focus, not the ones up near the top of the frame.

As I kept shooting, I discovered a ladybug visiting the flowers. What luck!

But wait … whose ears are those peeking up behind the flowers?



Good gracious, it’s Sam! Sam, who never volunteers to approach anyone outside (the 17-year-old beauty has an insane fear of being picked up, even by those he loves the most), had hopped up on the wall to have his picture taken. I, of course, obliged.



He posed for a good five minutes before his fear that I might suddenly decide to lock him in a box took over and he ran off.



I’ve entered Sam in a local newspaper contest. I don’t like begging for votes, but it is a $500 prize which would be a big help to me and my family while I’m still looking for work. You do have to register to vote, but you can vote multiple times. If you think Sam is as beautiful as I do, please go click a few times! I appreciate all the support.