winter solstice

The city streets, lined with hundred year old trees, lights shining, freshly fallen snow on all of it. Everything is illuminated and so peaceful at the same time.

Driving to a friend's house where you know there is going to be warmth and laughter

Reaching the solstice, where the days start growing longer

The quiet and the still, outside, except the crisp, white crunch underneath your boot

That is what winter is all about

tree love

i was driving out of a ramp late this morning when i happened upon this scene.
for me, it was zen moment.
perhaps it doesn't do quite the same for you.
and maybe you had to be there.

i do wish i could have had a few more moments there. an hour would have been perfect.
to sit by my little piece of inspiration and enjoy life.
unfortunately, that time doesn't fit into the succinct rhythm that my day is structured around right now.
it really should be though.

and then i also realized that when the cars started whirring past me it wouldn't be quite as sublime. i wouldn't continue to have it all to myself if i stayed.

is my tree love silly?
forcing me to stop in parking ramps and open my eyes really wide with excitement

we all have to have our little quirks.
so, here is one of mine.
it started on my *first trip to france and has been here ever since.
tree love.

45 minutes?

Yes, that's my morning commute.

Mornings are undeniably beautiful, especially if the morning begins before the sun rises. It is perhaps the best time of day if your eyes want to stay open more than your brain wants to sleep, which is something I am working on. I would not have seen any of this loveliness if I did not make my morning commute. Make no mistake, it still isn't utopia waking up in the wee hours of the morning and weaving in and out of traffic, but my eyes are always open to new forms of inspiration.

one little tree

Awww...

Ain't he a beaut?! ; )

Not really. But he's mine and I love 'em all the same.

The lights go on and there's magic
The scent floats by and earth has been invited into my home

It's amazing the power of one little tree.