Cyclura collei

Years ago I was asked to make a website to educate the public and promote a campaign to bring back a formerly-declared-extinct species.

There were scientists, zoologists, researchers and volunteers in the field who did the REAL work. I had the easy part.

But when the website was launched, I received ‘thank you’ emails from all over the world. Reading all of those letters was one of the most rewarding feelings.

And the best part . . . Though it’s still a threatened species (I’m told recovery potential is strong), today there are more than 500 of these animals living in the wild.

One trick my mom used:
She was often hired to sing at funerals and weddings. We lived in a small town so she knew a lot of the people. She was always afraid that seeing the family cry would cause her to break down mid song. She had poor vision so she would take her contacts out before performing.

Japanese Maple. Had one by the front door of the house I grew up in. Reminds me of my childhood home.