Friends in nature

In case anyone wonders, I'm still doing fine.  I just haven't had a desire to make cards.  I've evolved many times in my life.  I'll be passionate about something for a while, then lose interest and find other things to fill my life.  I'm enjoying my little dog, Tex, and spending time in my yard.  Desert weather has cooled for fall and I've been trying to revive flowers and shrubs.  I discovered one of the many wonders of nature recently.

The praying mantis was just resting quietly on an oleander leaf, just below the flower.  This is one of our friends in nature.  They aren't often noticed while they sit quietly on a leaf eating other insects.  We must pause our busy lives so we can be aware of lovely occupants of our yards.