March 1 - March at Split RockSplit Rock Lighthouse has stood fast on this rocky outcrop for over 100 years. Rising high above Lake Superior, this beacon has remained a defining icon of Minnesota’s North Shore through every season.In its operational years, life at Split Rock demanded endurance, patience, and faithfulness.Perched 130 feet above Lake Superior on solid bedrock, the lighthouse has watched the ever-changing moods of the big lake — from calm blue horizons to powerful winter storms. Season after season, year after year, it continues to stand firm.“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake, you lead me and guide me.” — Psalm 31:3The builders constructed Split Rock Lighthouse on solid rock so it could withstand both fair weather and fierce storms. In the same way, we are reminded to consider what foundation we are standing on. As we move through life’s changing seasons, Christ remains the only true rock we can rely on.Stand fast, my friend — and place your trust in Him.
March 2 — Blue Jays in the CedarsBlue Jays are among the most beautiful birds in the north. These striking creatures can live up to 25 years and, like this pair, are found just as easily in backyard trees as in deep northern forests.Interestingly, the blue color of their feathers does not come from pigment but from the microscopic structure of their feathers, which reflects light, making the Blue Jay both scientifically fascinating and visually stunning.Knowing the Designer, what a joy it is to witness such craftsmanship.“Beside the streams the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.” — Psalm 104:12Creation continually declares God’s glory — in the stars, the storms, and even the birds outside your window. Pause today and take a look around. You may discover joy exactly where you are.
March 3 — Black-Capped Chickadee It’s always amazing to see how these resilient little birds sing through winter. Chickadees require up to 20 times as much food in cold months as in summer. During fall, they hide seeds in bark crevices, pine needles, and beneath moss. In winter, they can recall thousands of precise cache locations, sometimes months later.These friendly birds flutter through the woods, singing as they go, seemingly carefree—yet they face constant threats from predators such as owls and hawks.Although chickadees can be challenging to photograph without a telephoto lens, they often allow surprisingly close encounters before taking flight.“Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;They sing among the branches.” — Psalm 104:12God created these small creatures to remind us of His provision through instinct, preparation, and endurance. If He faithfully sustains them, He will do far more for you today.
March 4 - Spring Star Trails This two-hour time-lapse photo captures star trails circling Polaris, the North Star. The curved streaks reveal Earth's rotation over time, with Polaris appearing nearly still at the center of the swirl. Taken on a clear winter night, the frozen treeline and snow anchor the cosmic motion to the quiet northern landscape. As Earth turns beneath our feet, the heavens trace slow circles of light, marking time in arcs and spirals. In the hush of a winter night, when snow softens the land and sound fades away, the sky reveals its rhythm — patient, precise, and endlessly faithful. Even in the longest night, the sky keeps its promise — turning, shining, and guiding those who pause long enough to look up.The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1There is only one true north for Earth that points in the right direction, and there is one true north for our souls: Jesus Christ. Make Christ your true north today, and you will find yourself pointed in the right direction.
Tettegouche is one of Minnesota's most beautiful state parks. It features a mile of Lake Superior coast, including the Baptism River mouth; the river's cascades and falls; four inland lakes; rugged semimountainous reliefs; and an undisturbed northern hardwood forest.
March 6 - Invisible LightThis image of Gooseberry Falls was captured with a specialized camera that detects more than our eyes do. Human vision is limited to visible light, but digital sensors can detect a wider spectrum. To create natural-looking photos, manufacturers block infrared light with an internal filter. In this image, the filter was removed, allowing the camera to record near-infrared light.Plants reflect large amounts of infrared light to prevent overheating. That’s why trees glow white, grass appears snowy, and leaves shine so brightly. It’s a hidden layer of beauty — always present, yet invisible to our natural sight.It’s amazing how something so real can surround us every day and still go unseen.“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” — Romans 1:20Like infrared light, God’s presence is not always visible to our eyes, yet His fingerprints are everywhere. When we view creation through the lens of Scripture, we begin to see what has been there all along — quiet evidence of a loving Creator working behind the scenes.
March 7 — Evening IceIn this scene, ice chunks piled high reflect and refract the magenta evening sky into a stunning sight to remember. March is a wonderful month to watch nature awaken. Daylight hours are rapidly expanding, wildlife is stirring, and plants are beginning to wake up, still deep under the snow. A springtime walk along Lake Superior's shoreline makes it impossible to miss the changing season. The colors, climate, and fresh air unite to announce that a new season has begun.While temperatures often fail to reflect the arrival of spring, look closely at the melting snow, opening waterfalls, and birds beginning to nest — life is returning to the Northland. Like waking up early without coffee, it takes time to fully wake up, yet the energy of renewal is already beginning to "Flow With the Seasons"."Calling the light' day,' and the darkness' night.'The twilight and the dawn were day one." — Genesis 1:5The ice will soon melt away, but the memory of how God shaped these elements will remain. Remember, God placed this day together and set you within it — to enjoy it and to give Him glory.
March 8 — Ice BoatsSpring brings a striking contrast of seasons and activity. Here, the Coast Guard Cutter Spar smashes its way through Duluth harbor ice while a local ice boat has likely taken its final sail of the winter.With the Soo Locks opening just a week away, shipping season is nearly here. Soon, massive ore carriers will awaken from their winter hibernation and begin another year of movement across the Great Lakes.This moment — an ice boat built for one season and a cutter preparing for the next — reminds us that we cannot stop time from moving forward.“A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” — Ecclesiastes 3:2March carries the promise of renewal and fresh beginnings. While we cannot slow the seasons, we can choose how we live within them. Enjoy today for what it is — and spend it wisely.
March 9 — Ice MistAn icy mist rises off Lake Superior on this –20°F morning in March. Even for Northern Minnesota, temperatures this cold so late in the season are unusual. Yet it is often extremes that draw hidden beauty to the surface, as vapor lifts gently from the dark waters below Split Rock Lighthouse.But the mist is temporary. As sunlight strengthens and the air begins to warm, the delicate balance shifts. Droplets evaporate, crystals vanish, and what once filled the air becomes invisible again. What appears solid and dramatic is, in reality, fragile — existing only within a narrow window of cold.As you view this scene, it is easy to see the seasons' interplay, as winter slowly yields to spring in their quiet, ongoing struggle.“You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” — James 4:14Like this icy vapor rising from Lake Superior, our days appear briefly and then drift away. Yet even in our brevity, God offers His love, patience, and mercy to all who turn toward the Light of the World — Jesus Christ.
March 10 — Night LightsThe March full moon beamed through the lantern room of the Duluth North Pier Lighthouse when the two aligned perfectly for this photograph.In reality, Earth's rotation creates this alignment. While the moon does move slightly in its orbit, nearly 95% of the apparent motion we see comes from the steady turning of our planet.The Earth completes one full rotation each day and one full orbit each year, creating the rhythm of time and the changing seasons through its motion and tilt. What a magnificent design for life — and a beautiful example of God's glorious provision."He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting." — Psalm 104:19It's comforting to know that some things in life remain constant, like the precise clockwork of the universe. Remember that, according to God's perfect plan, each of us has a specific number of days on this Earth before we meet Him face to face. So, look up and observe as the universal clock ticks away. Our days are numbered—make today count, there won't be another like it.
March 11 - Ice BreakingA Coast Guard cutter breaking ice in the Duluth Harbor, preparing for the shipping season, is a sure sign of spring. With vast stretches of thick ice to break up before the season opens in a week, the Coast Guard works alongside the warming days and increasingly powerful sun to usher in the new season.With an increase of nearly three hours of daylight since the first of the year, spring is pressing its way in—slow but sure—much like the icebreaker at work.While the ice field in the image looks firm and solid today, it will likely fracture and drift out into Lake Superior within days, forcing ice fishermen to retreat to their boats.“Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.” — James 3:4Like the ice field, our foundation may appear firm today—but what about tomorrow? Are small cracks beginning to form? Christ is our assurance, steady and true, for both today and tomorrow.
March 12 - Apostle Island Sea CavesThe Apostle Island sea caves are a fantastic place to visit in early March, provided ice conditions on Lake Superior permit. The incredible view of the sandstone caverns, splashed with winter's ice from Lake Superior, is a sight to behold.When you enter the caves, you feel you are walking into a work of art that has taken eons to craft. Indeed, the elements were used as tools in God's hands to create these incredible echo chambers.As you slip and slide through the caves, the only word to express your view is WOW! What a gift! A true reason to appreciate creation."Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail
March 13 – Cliff IceMid-March is the battle of the seasons along Lake Superior.After the waves rage, the icy aftermath clings to trees and cliffs in spectacular beauty. There is no better place to witness this artistry than Tettegouche State Park.Cold fronts still pack a punch. Freezing mist from crashing waves coats the shoreline in God’s glorious design.The storms have had their way, but this ice will not last long in the powerful afternoon sun. Soon, the icicles will melt back into the waters—ready for the next storm.“From whose womb comes the ice?Who gives birth to the frost from the heavenswhen the waters become hard as stone,when the surface of the deep is frozen?”— Job 38:29–30It is often after the roughest storms that the starkest beauty appears.Like these trees bowing under the weight of ice, bow before the Lord—and in time, you will feel the warmth of the Son of God.
March 14 – Magenta IceDeep colors from a saturated sky reflect across cold waters, warming Lake Superior as another March day comes to a close in the Northland.The ice formations retreat into the lake, as if surrendering to the inevitable rise of mid-March temperatures.There is something profoundly calming about standing still and taking in a scene like this. It marks the end of one season and the beginning of another, as we March in step with the passing of time.“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” — Psalm 107:29Gratitude for fresh air and calm waters brings peace to the soul. Another day drifts into the past, and the hope of tomorrow gently accents a moment we will never have again.
March 15 – Ice CrystalMarch in the Northland often feels like winter holding on just a little longer.Yet hidden within fresh white landscapes are tiny, intricate works of art. High in the clouds, moisture clings to a speck of dust and begins its quiet descent. As it drifts through layers of cold air — ideally around 15°F — the crystal forms and grows, each branch shaped by temperature and humidity along the way.I catch fragile flakes on a black music stand, then gently lift each one with an artist’s brush and place it onto a frozen slide to view under the microscope.Not every flake is perfectly formed. Many are broken. Some arrive incomplete. Yet even in their imperfections, the craftsmanship of God’s design remains. And whether whole or fractured, their purpose is still fulfilled — melting into the earth to water the growth of a new season.“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11Much like these delicate snowflakes, we sometimes land feeling broken or unfinished. But God’s hidden plan continues to unfold — shaping us, sustaining us, and preparing the ground for what is yet to grow.
March 16 - Icy CavesThe Apostle Islands sit just offshore from the Bayfield Peninsula on Lake Superior. Over centuries, wind and water have carved the sandstone into sea caves — explored by boat in summer and by foot across frozen water in winter.When winter settles in, the caves transform. Ice clings to the ceilings and drapes down the walls. The multicolored sandstone glows against the blue sky and frozen lake, and every sound seems to echo with wonder.These caves are one of the region’s treasures — a place where heaven and earth feel close. As visitors step inside, their whispered conversations often rise into a shared “Wow,” carried and multiplied by the stone.“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” — Psalm 57:5Creation speaks in seasons. Water shapes rock. Ice forms and melts. Echoes rise and fade. Yet through every cycle, the glory of God remains. Everything in creation points to the God of the Bible, and the Bible points to the God of creation.
March 17 - Northern LightsBy mid-March, the grip of winter begins to loosen. Lake ice softens and slowly retreats, and though the land is not yet green, the sky comes alive.March is one of the best months to see the Northern Lights. Around the spring equinox, Earth’s magnetic field tilts in a way that allows solar wind to couple more easily with our magnetosphere. The result is an increased likelihood of geomagnetic storms — and brilliant auroras sweeping across the northern sky.While the ground waits for spring, the heavens declare glory.In the movement of light across the frozen lake, we see both order and wonder — creation responding to forces set in motion long ago.“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” — Hebrews 1:10We are surrounded by beauty and design every day. When we read God’s Word and look carefully at His creation, the pieces begin to come together. The revelation is there — written both in Scripture and across the night sky.
March 18 – Pure BeautyIn the aftermath of a wicked Nor’easter, with 60 MPH winds and heavy freezing spray, the towering trees along the North Shore stood their ground, encased in thick layers of ice. Near Tettegouche State Park, the shoreline was transformed into a wonderland of lake-forged art.March is a wild and stormy month — a battleground between winter and spring. Lake Superior magnifies the struggle with its wide-open waters and towering waves as opposing fronts collide for days at a time.I rarely encounter a spectacle like this. It was worth crawling across the frozen crust to witness such grandeur. There is something about photographing a scene that makes you feel both very small and deeply blessed. That tension — humility and wonder — is the draw of the art.“By the breath of God ice is given,and the broad waters are frozen fast.” — Job 37:10The pure beauty of this image was born from powerful, violent weather. Much like life, it is often the fiercest storms that shape us into something extraordinary — a masterpiece formed by the Master’s hand.
March 19 – Sky FireMarch is one of the finest months to witness the northern lights. Long spring nights still linger, and crisp air often brings remarkably clear skies—perfect conditions for watching heaven’s colors dance across the darkness.When activity erupts on the surface of the sun, energy travels 93 million miles through space before colliding with Earth’s magnetic field. That invisible shield absorbs the impact, channeling charged particles toward the poles where they ignite the sky in radiant curtains of green, pink, and violet.The aurora is visible evidence that the magnetosphere is quietly doing its work—protecting life on Earth while turning what could be destruction into beauty.It is humbling to recognize how creation weaves protection into its fabric. What we cannot see often sustains us the most.“And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.” — Genesis 1:14The blazing sun and the shimmering night sky provide and protect, woven into the fabric of the universe. Love often works this way—both invisible and visible at once—shielding, guiding, and illuminating our path.
March 20 – Snow ConeThough spring is near, frost still lingers. A heavy morning frost coats this Norway pine, preserving a touch of winter’s quiet beauty.Red pines depend on heat to open their cones. Historically, low-intensity forest fires cleared the forest floor and exposed bare soil, creating the perfect conditions for seeds to take root. What appeared destructive was actually preparation for new growth. Renewal does not always come gently.You don’t have to travel far to see this truth. These trees may be growing in your own backyard—standing firm through cold mornings, patiently waiting for warmth.“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.” — Psalm 1:3If you are walking through a harsh season—hardship, uncertainty, or strain—remember that God works even in the heat of trial. He may be strengthening your roots and clearing space for what is to come.Remain planted. Your season will arrive.
March 21 – Springtime WakeupThe 1,000-foot Mesabi Miner gets help from tugs as she breaks free from months of winter layup. After weeks of stillness, she moves again—steel against ice, power against resistance—carving a path through Duluth Harbor.When a fully loaded freighter like the Mesabi Miner passes beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge, more than 21 million gallons of water are displaced—nearly 400,000 bathtubs. The harbor doesn’t ignore her presence. It responds. Water rises and falls—ice shifts. Everything adjusts to movement.The return of the big ships is a sure sign that spring has arrived along Lake Superior. Throughout the layup, there has been maintenance, renewal, and preparation. Now the vessels are ready for a fresh start. The shipping season begins again, reminding us that seasons of waiting are not wasted—they prepare us for what comes next.The seasons MARCH on, and so do our days. Time does not pause, even when we do.“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12Enjoy today. It is a fresh start, and there will never be another quite like it.
March 22 - Pointing to the MoonThe mid-March full moon drifted quietly into alignment with the Duluth North Pier Lighthouse. I nudged the tripod as the glowing disk appeared to touch the lightning rod—just for a breath—before rising into the night.March’s full moon occurs near the spring equinox, when the Moon’s path climbs at a shallower angle, lingering along the horizon a little longer. That gentle glide gives photographers a narrow window for precise alignments like this one.It’s easy to chase the perfect image. Yet moments like this remind us that creation unfolds with purpose, season by season.“He made the moon to mark the seasons;the sun knows its time for setting.” — Psalm 104:19The next time you see a full moon rise, pause and remember: its path was written long before we ever looked up.
March 23 – RuinedAt the end of Park Point, among pines and brush, lie the remains of one of Lake Superior’s earliest lighthouses. They are reachable by a mile-long trail.The Minnesota Point Lighthouse was built in 1856 for $15,000. It operated for nearly 30 years, but constant challenges—especially shifting sand—made upkeep difficult.As sand shifted, the harbor entrance moved away, making the lighthouse obsolete.Once sturdy and guiding ships home, the lighthouse was soon abandoned and quickly fell apart. By 1925, only the brick tower remained.“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock... But everyone who does not is like a foolish man who built his house on sand... and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27Standing before these ruins, ask yourself:What is your foundation—sand or the solid rock of Jesus Christ?
March 24 - Harbor ReflectionsOn a peaceful March evening, a full moon rises behind the lift bridge and casts its glow across the calm waters of Duluth Harbor. Even the faintest ripple can distort the image, turning a mirror into an abstract painting. Reflected light is also partially polarized — which is why a simple twist of a polarizing filter can either erase or intensify the mirrored sky.Reflections are interesting because they show an exact duplicate of the object being reflected, but they remain temporary and fleeting. They aren't real. A reflection appears only when the surface stays still.As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 When life is unsettled, clarity fades. But in stillness, what is true becomes visible. Stillness reveals what chaos hides. When we quiet ourselves before the Lord, His image becomes clearer to us — Especially in the Word of God.
March 25 — Spring BreakupGooseberry Falls State Park is one of the finest places to witness spring’s arrival. Thick shelves of winter ice cling to the edges of the falls, suspended above the rushing Gooseberry River as they await their return to Lake Superior just downstream.On the North Shore, spring begins with a whisper — longer light, subtle warmth — and then suddenly it roars. Ice fractures and crashes against dark basalt below. Snowmelt swells the river, tinting it with the color of the land. The air fills with mist and thunder, a scene impossible to ignore.Power and beauty combine in this season of release. What seemed frozen and immovable only days before gives way to unstoppable flow. Spring can no longer be restrained.“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through him and for him.” — Colossians 1:16Whether you bring a camera or stand still, Gooseberry in spring engages all your senses. The thunder, the spray, the scent of thawing earth — it humbles the spirit and refreshes the soul. Creation is always at work, even when we think it stands still.
March 26 — Crescent MoonThe early morning moonrise over Canal Park in late March is a beautiful sight to photograph. Quiet waters and saturated colors offer a refreshing start to the day.At this time of year, Earth’s tilt creates longer dawn transitions in northern latitudes. A fading crescent moon often lingers near sunrise, allowing night and day to overlap in a gentle exchange of light briefly.There is something peaceful about the lighthouse and the moon in this scene. They quietly set the stage for the approaching day. The moon is fading, the sun has not yet fully arrived, yet calmness remains. Like the flow of the seasons, change begins subtly. Winter does not disappear overnight, but the light increases daily.In life, we often stand in that same in-between space — not fully in darkness, not fully in daylight. Still, the Light of Christ remains.“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.” — Psalm 104:19We are already 83 days into the year. Take a deep breath, make the most of today, and enjoy the day God has given you. There will never be another like it.
March 27 — Floating on IceThe 1,000-foot Mesabi Miner appears to be floating atop a frozen sea as it makes its way across Lake Superior. In some years, winter lingers well into March, reluctant to let go of the Northland.Lake Superior carries a harsh beauty during seasonal change. Ice fields fracture and shift, and what seems solid one day begins surrendering to open water the next. The contrast between steel and ice, motion and stillness, reminds us that change is already underway — even when it feels slow.Though this scene suggests a vessel surrounded by obstacles, just beyond the ice lay clear sailing. The path forward was not blocked; it only appeared so from this vantage point.“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters… Behold, I am doing a new thing… I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:16–19Life can look crowded with barriers and uncertainty. But perspective changes everything. Trust in Christ, and what feels like obstruction may be a passing field of ice — with open water waiting just ahead.
March 28 — March Sun PillarThe sun pillar that formed over Caribou Lake in this image is one of those quiet atmospheric moments that feels almost supernatural the first time you witness it.A sun pillar forms when flat, plate-shaped ice crystals drift through very cold, calm air. As the sun sinks low on the horizon, its light reflects off these suspended crystals, creating a vertical column that seems to rise straight into the sky. Late March in northern Minnesota is prime time for this phenomenon. Winter may be loosening its grip at ground level, but high above, the cold still lingers — just enough to catch the light.The pillar lasted only a few minutes before fading into twilight. Brilliant. Vertical. Gone.There is something powerful about light reaching upward in the darkness. Creation does not speak randomly; it consistently reflects its Maker.“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” — Psalm 36:9Like the sun pillar, our time is brief. Shine while you can. Let your life reflect the Light that never fades.
March 29 - Birch - The Medicine TreeLate winter lingers in the birch grove. White trunks complement the still-snow-covered hillside. like pillars of quiet resilience, their black and weathered scars telling stories of wind, frost, and time. While birch trees are common in the Northland, they are anything but common as far as their capacities.Birch bark has incredible healing properties, and from wounds in living birch, chaga grows — a dark, rugged growth that resembles charcoal. Inside, it reveals a rich orange core filled with concentrated compounds long valued for immune support and vitality. What appears burned and broken holds remarkable strength within.The birch teaches us that resilience often grows in the face of hardship. Healing compounds form beneath scarred bark. Sap flows long before green returns. Strength is not loud — it is steady.“Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” - Ezekiel 47:12The forest may still look like winter, but life is already moving. Hidden strength is at work, preparing the next season.
March 30 – Spring SplashLake Superior spits the final remnants of winter onto the shore as it surrenders its last sheets of ice. Cold spray coats the camera lens. Water droplets cling to my glasses. It feels like a fond farewell — winter’s last breath before the landscape begins to warm.Strong onshore winds push the floating ice toward land. The waves become a conveyor belt. As they crash, chunks are shoved over the rocks. Pieces grind against each other. Some are stranded high above the waterline.Lake Superior can move an astonishing weight when it chooses. The strong winds rammed these ice boulders into place with tremendous force.“He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?” — Psalm 147:17The same God who commands the winter storms also ushers in the spring thaw. His power is unmistakable in the crashing waves and grinding ice. It humbles us. It steadies us. And it reminds us that even in seasons of chaos, He remains in control. Spring is coming — not by accident, but by design.
March 31 – Springtime Snow!March is a season of transition in the Northland, often bringing winter scenes that remind you not to plant your garden just yet. Heavy snow blankets Chester Creek in Duluth here, even as spring runoff rushes beneath it.Late March snowstorms occur because winter still lingers in the atmosphere, even after spring officially begins. Cold Arctic air can collide with warmer, moisture-rich air moving north, strengthening storm systems and producing heavy, wet snow. Lake Superior, near its coldest point of the year, helps keep shoreline temperatures low and can enhance snowfall. March truly becomes a battleground month when winter and spring clash — and powerful storms often result.Though the snow may be short-lived, its life-giving water is a welcome provision for the coming seasons."For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater..." — Isaiah 55:10Sometimes the temporary difficulties of life become unexpected blessings. With a shovel in hand, give thanks for another beautiful day to be alive.
