I recently spent an afternoon with a herd of bison, up close and personal, as they grazed on the grassy plain and huddled together with their small calves. It was mind-boggling to think that they were living not far from Chicago, and some compassionate people had set aside space for these ninety bison.

These beings, more than cattle ever has, made me think of the past, future, and present all at once. It’s quite easy to forget that there’s so much life on the planet outside of us humans. In addition to these animals that I associate with America, there were ripening blackberries, butterflies, and a host of prairie flowers.

Back home in the Black Garden, our blackberries are still green but they, too, hold the promise of life and seasonal changes. I can’t wait to enjoy their sweet and tart juiciness. The black currants and hydrangeas, their fruit and flowers clustered together, present the now and later, too. What a beautiful world.