1: why a rainbow?

Dear Friend,

Happy New Year! Thank you for being here to read our first blog/letter of 2026!

Today begins the fourth year of Tracks by the Post.

Thank you very much for keeping in touch over the past three years, and for sharing our Tracks Posts with friends and family!

We do not think of you as a Like or a Click or a Share. To us, you are not a 'set of zeros and ones.' We are not rewarded in the land of Social Media or in any way monetarily by your presence here.

BUT - your care to check in on us, your interest in reading and seeing what we’ve been up to, your effort and energy to write to us or to keep us in your thoughts and in your prayers, rewards us in immeasurable ways, your positivity is comfort and strength. Thank you!

Tracks by the Post is to celebrate the beauty that is ever-growing in this world. No matter what is happening to us, to you, to the fabric of our communities and environment, there is still much to be grateful for. The beauty that exists in nature, inside and out, is mighty and real. That is why we share with you, and that is what we share.

We’re looking forward to having you with us as we journey on, along the road, paved or not.

Each Tracks Post is represented by one photo that (we feel) harmonizes with the concept of the blog/letter. Today is the first post of Year Four, why a rainbow?

A rainbow symbolizes many things, promises, freedoms, joys, hope, good fortune …

As a child, what were you told about rainbows? Do you remember the first time you saw one?

When I was little, I loved rainbows because of the magical colors, and, because I love animals, I was glad that Noah built his arc, but I had so many questions. Even as a little kid, I knew - that’s a lot of animals to feed and - such.

Rainbows surprise us even when we know to expect one. It isn’t possible to predict how bright or dim a rainbow might be, or how quickly it might appear and then vanish.

A rainbow arcs as big as you are able to see, even as wide as a whole circle. It is your own, personal perspective. No two people see a ‘live’ rainbow exactly the same way.

Apparently, it’s simple science. I found a YouTube video from ‘The Curiosity Desk’ that explains: ‘Why Are Rainbows Shaped in A Perfect Arc?’  It also talks about why your rainbow experience is unique to you. A link to that video follows this blog/letter.

Rainbows remind us that nature is full of beautiful surprises and wonder, and nature allows us each to have our own, unique, perspective. That’s why we chose a rainbow to start off the fourth year of our journey.

Wherever we are in nature, there is always something interesting going on. Even inanimate objects come alive with light and shadows.

Natural abstracts are one of Frank’s favorite things to photograph. He could tell you what he sees and feels about each one of these images, but he’d rather that you see them your own way.

When you are armed with a camera, what sorts of things do you enjoy capturing? Photos make an experience much easier to share, but there are many other ways, like drawing or painting, writing, or story-telling. When you don’t want to keep it all to yourself, how do you share your experiences?

And what is happening here?

What are these wild burros doing? (There is no right or wrong answer). This photo is what we saw that day. Your story will be just as true as ours. If you feel inspired, we’d love to know what you think! Tell us a story.

This is one of those times in history that human beings will record and remember. It is interesting how different our stories will be. Only you know what your true perspective is, yours is yours.

Imagination is wonderful, but, do you agree, history is more about reality? Thoughts?

We are grateful for you. True, we don’t actually know who is reading this and when, but our intention is that you know that you have our appreciation, whomever and wherever you might be. Thank you.

Please don’t hesitate to Write to Us. Share with us about rainbows, tell us a story about those burros, what are your favorite ways of capturing and sharing experiences, your thoughts on the recording of history… or whatever you feel like writing. We always enjoy hearing from you!

Sending you our gratitude and wishes for peace to encircle you and yours.

Gently Be,

Leslie and Frank

PS: Here is the link to the YouTube video I mentioned: ‘Why Are Rainbows Shaped in A Perfect Arc?’ and information for uniquely you!