Once again from August 14th in the northeast quadrant of US 183 and Mopac here's a "common" sunflower, Helianthus annuus. The view from behind revealed a curlicue ray floret. Also notice the ant on the stalk.
Have a closer look from a different frame:
As sunflowers dry out, their rays tend to go from yellow to white, and curlicues become more common, as shown below. (And did you know that curlicue is just curly + cue, where cue comes from French queue, meaning 'tail'? When people queue up for something they form a metaphorical tail.)
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I recently came across Gabriel Nadales's article "I once hated America, but now I can't wait to be an American." The author is a former antifa member who had a change of heart:
To be sure, America has its problems. But as I learned more about America's ideals and what it aspires to be, a country of equal opportunity, freedom, and civil discourse, I began to find a true sense of belonging. I realized that America is an imperfect nation defined not by our faults but by our accomplishments. It's a promise to work toward greater equality and freedom for all, regardless of your skin color or background.
This equality of opportunity is exactly the reason I've been able to find success as a brown Mexican immigrant. In this country, I am judged by my merits, not my skin color. America has given me the equal opportunity and freedom to choose my own path despite my minority and immigrant status. The idea that I can believe in myself is incredibly empowering.
You're welcome to read Gabriel Nadales's full article.
© 2022 Steven Schwartzman
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