May 15, 2026

Good morning!

It’s Friday. I took a walk yesterday, and halfway down the road I was bopped on the head by a bit of tree that cascaded from the heavens with a cheerful, “Hello, did somebody say petals and catkins?”

I told it I had.

“We thought you’d like to see us up close,” it said with what I can only imagine was a smile, although I couldn’t be sure since there was no face to be found.

I couldn’t tell if these were male flowers or female flowers, and we weren’t on close enough terms for me to ask. The University of Google tells me that a red maple tree can have both male and female flowers—and that one looks more like fireworks while the other resembles sea anemones. Which only sent me down a fireworks and sea anemone rabbit hole.

Meanwhile, I’m not sure how those budding leaves on the tip of the branch feel about ending their mission so soon—but they certainly do add a triumphant punctuation mark to the whole shebang, no?

“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.”

—Joyce Kilmer

Respiteers, will you join me in our imaginary pavilion this afternoon? As always, check your inbox right before 2pm EDT.

Onwards,

Clara