On this first day of my staycation, I wandered the yard in my PJs, enjoying my coffee and just being. A “plop” and then a “buzzing” sound startled me. Looking about, I finally spied this dragonfly who landed in my thankfully tepid coffee.

Stunned, I slowly poured out the coffee, careful not to dump the dragonfly. It didn’t move; its wings soaked in coffee.

I tipped the cup onto a nearby daylily, and it crawled onto the flower.

At first glance, I thought it had lost one of its wings–I only spotted three.

It wasn’t until I looked at the image closeup on my phone that I discovered two of the dragonfly’s wings were stuck together.

I took advantage of the moment and photographed this little being.

Chased away by mosquitoes, I returned to the safety of the porch, checking on her periodically. She fluttered her wings and fell into the grass. I patiently waited for the right moment to carefully lift her back onto the flower to protect her from the over-curious Murphee.

Eventually, her stuck wings separated, and I got one last photo before she took off into the garden.

There is something about nature that beckons us to pause, observe, and listen. These moments have a calming effect and evoke deep emotions in me. Nature is a meditative force that helps me appreciate the present and find joy in its simple wonders.