Its been a while. Hello how are you I am fine.

And I am fine. In a luxurious way.

Today I sat in the forest for two hours. Strange how loud the trees get when we are finally quiet. I finally learned how to recognize Thimble berries. I traced lots of leaves. I noticed the branches that had wilted, spilling their leaves like puddles across the dirt.

Yesterday was Memorial Day but I kept calling it Labor Day and every time I saw it on a calendar my eyes read Mermaid Day so instead of eating hot dogs I sat in my window and sang song's to the passersby but not one of them was lured in.

I started an internship on Sauvie Island, which is only sort of an island. I work on plant identifications, tracking invasive species, hunting rarities, and knowing the species history of the island so I can ask "Has this always been here?" "Well then why is it here now?" Or "Where did this one go?" This is so that when we work on restoration, we can do so properly.

Sauvie Island has a good many meadows, spotted with oaks, growing grasses from its ears. It reminds me of home, except with water. I think that's why I like it so much. But the birds are different and that's also why I like it so much. Barn swallows. Tree swallows. Black birds with red shoulder pads, dressed up for the party. Anyway, she keeps saying "That's why you're here! I needed a botanist!" And I don't remind her this is my first class. I've decided to jump both feet onto this new path and follow it over mountain and under valley.

Because I'm A Botanist now.

These are just thoughts.

-A.H.