Maria and I went to the food co-op this morning to get some fresh groceries, and our friend Ute popped out of the food storage room. We walked right into each other, and I looked up and saw a new bandana on her head.

I had my monochrome hanging from my next and told her I had to get this picture. She just laughed.

Ute, an assistant manager of the excellent co-op, is becoming my favorite portrait subject.

Her face is full of energy and character, and she is always happy to laugh at me and with Maria.

She has my sense of humor, warped as it is, and I start smiling the minute I see her hard-working face. Ute makes the sunshine a rare gift in gloomy and doomsday America.

She loves laughing with Maria; they have a similar view of the world.