All over Charlottesville today, folks are dressed in VT orange and maroon, to show unity, support and shared sorrow for last week’s shootings, just a few hours up the road.

Life has been surreal. Every time I pull up the news, there’s a picture of Cho pointing a gun in my face. And another one, another one. Why must they display that picture all over the news? Last night, I was walking through the busy downtown pedestrian area, bustling with activity, and I thought, what would I do if someone opened fire in this crowd?

Because you realize it can happen. And that’s what it comes to.

There is no place like here, and there is no time like now. And life here and now is both precious and scary.

Although my master gardener work is through VT, I do not know anyone who suffered a loss. But I feel so much sorrow for those who did. And I wish them the strength, grace, and peace to get through this unimaginably difficult time.