When we were traveling around Big Bend NP, we took great delight in finding these cacti with a purple color. I really wanted to get a picture of this cactus with Santa Elena Canyon in the (distant) background. So much so that as I was positioning myself, I backed into a cactus. Which was startling but not particularly painful. Unfortunately, as I was pulling a needle out of my backside, I got a small piece wedged under my fingernail. That was excruciatingly painful. I had to trim my nail all the way back to get the remnant out.
Iām struck by how strong (and strange) that memory is, and the contrast with the beauty of the photo. Even the smallest of details matter.
Signs Along the Way 
Nice blog
Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your photos and musings each week. The cactus story particularly resonated with me, perhaps because it is a bit funny, and perhaps because of its familiarity; I’ve been stuck by a cactus, and have been to that park, and I have had a similar thought about which details of an experience I vividly remember. Thank you again for sharing your insights and photos.
Thank you for the comment!