Coneflower Beacon

July 9, 2015.   I’m taking an online photography class (led by photographer Jan Phillips – an offering through SpiritualityAndPractice.com).  Yesterday’s practice was to notice and photograph “signs” that suggest how to live.  A few hours after reading the assignment, I was in the front yard dead-heading the coneflower patch, mindful mostly of snipping just above leaf junctions.  The intent behind dead-heading is to promote new blooms.  But I stopped abruptly when my eyes landed on one flower.  I ran for the camera.  My “sign” was left to expire in her own due grace and time … and she lives on through the image below.