On Tuesday evening, feeling frazzled and very tired, I was only half listening to the speaker’s presentation at a botanical society meeting I was attending. I was anxious about my lack of energy and how I was going to get all the work I needed to get finished on time. I was annoyed with myself because a lot of my work as an illustrator is the result of learning and focused attention on botanical study. I was completely blowing this opportunity.

After the meeting, trying to look lively...