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Hey Reader,

I’m standing chest-deep in the Caribbean Sea, chatting to a stingray wrangler who is guiding one of these magnificent sea-flappers into my arms so I can commune with it for a moment, and the main thought that pops into my head?

Not: “Wow, these creatures are glorious, look how they glide!”

Not: “My goodness, how many people get the chance to swim with stingrays? I’m so lucky!”

But: “Mushroom with wings!”

My main observation from that experience was that stingrays have the same texture and consistency as a mushroom.

The awe came along a moment later, of course, and flattened me with its reminder of how incredible is this planet we’re part of.

But before the awe came the mushroom association.

I had a similar moment with the pelicans. They have nothing in common with a mushroom as far as I know, but they DO look like pterodactyls in flight.

My dad is a birder and when I told him about all the pelicans in Antigua, he said he loves them because “they’re so prehistoric” and he’s right.

The shape of their wings and neck and great big beak in flight give them the look of a flying dino. And, of course, birds are directly evolved from dinosaurs so it makes sense. But a glimpse out of the corner of your eye, with rainforest behind you and deserted beach and ocean in front, and you could be forgiven for thinking, “JURASSIC PARK!!!”

Life is in the details.

And writing is the connections we make between those details and the ideas that come from them.

Next time you’re feeling stuck, go for a walk and look closely at what’s around you. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve ever noticed before.

Then write about it.

TTFN,

Vicky 🫡

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