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This shell was an unexpected find off the coast of Lake Pueblo reservoir yesterday evening. Was this mussel, clam, or what have you living in the lake or was it left by a human after their recreational visit to this place? Is the aquatic life of Lake Pueblo more diverse and mysterious than I may have thought possible?

These are sincere questions that I do not have answers to. I do know that there IS great diversity in many places we might not expect, and despite recent reports of the supposed decline of species and biodiversity in many places around the world there is still great beauty and possibility for greater natural beauty still.

To some extent the old saying is true: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, it also is true that beauty itself isn't entirely subjective. Beauty is tied to love, and love is tied to care. While there is beauty in creation and creativity, there is also paradoxically some beauty in destruction, dissolution, and decomposition—an example shown in this photo.

Not everything can or ought to be sustained as it is or was indefinitely, but neither ought we make massive changes with haste because somehow we believe it to be "beautiful."

It's June 29, 2026, in near downtown Pueblo, Colorado, and there are wildfires to the southwest and northwest of where we are. It's feeling very apocalyptic today. I say that both with mixed feelings and sincerity and without irony or humor. I don't think it's funny or ironic, but I digress.

A few minutes ago a large chunk of soot and ash fell into my back yard and there is ash and soot collecting on outdoor surfaces everywhere. That's what is depicted in the actual, unmodified photographs shared here: A chunk of ash and soot in my hand and visible particles of ash and soot on our plastic bench in the back yard.

My heart goes out to all the people—both human and non-human—adversely affected by the wildfires. I have friends who are directly affected by these fires and have had to evacuate.

Several years ago my wife, our two cats (at the time), and I had to evacuate due to a wildfire near our house (condo, actually). Fortunately it was extinguished pretty quickly and we were able to return home the same day. I send prayers to all those affected now and I pray that we don't end up having to evacuate large portions of the more populated areas of Pueblo County or other parts of the state. May everyone be safe and cared for.