For the first two days of the heat wave, I didn’t see Zip. I wasn’t worried about him. He can take care of himself better than I ever have. When I was staring at the flowers I got today at Bernard Farms, I was happy to see him at our 4 p.m. meeting time.

He hopped into my lap, and I stroked his chin for five or ten minutes. He was too warm on my lap; the temperature was well into the nineties. He lay down before me as I tried to figure out how to capture these fantastic flowers I had just brought home.

He always sits close to me when he can, much like Zinnia. I am so lucky to have these animals in my life.

Zinnia was asleep in the heat, dozing in the shade under the table. Soon, Zip, this hyperactive creature who always finds places to go and things to do, was asleep also. Having him there was the most pleasurable feeling while I pointed my camera at the flowers and plotted how to photograph them.

He is my muse in flower photography; he loosens me up.

He dozed in the heat right next to my arm, and I reached over to scratch his head once in a while, which he loves. I heard his purring from the throat. Soon, it was too hot, so I went inside the house. I am grateful for Zip; I care for him, and he cares for me.