"A Mime Is a Terrible Thing to Waste"

Earlier today, when I was absolutely free of any assignment or looming test, I sat down at my computer with the intent to create a new background for my header. (I should probably make mention of my preference for tinkering with my template rather than for writing) I searched the web for images and inspiration. I found images, plenty of images, but no inspiration. I've lost my muse! Sometimes, I feel that college is ruining my mind. I've been having trouble lately doing the little things - like writing and spelling correctly. It took me four tries the other day just to spell "remember" correctly! And every time I write something by hand, the message from my brain to my hand becomes befuddled, causing my hand to cramp up as if it is thinking really hard, "What I am supposed to be doing?" The resulting scattered and fragmented chicken scratch is a poor excuse for what used to be my own unique and curvaceous handwriting. My attention span is shot - I have trouble focusing on anything for more than a hour, if it even gets that far. My mind keeps wandering in the middle of lectures, conversations, reading assignments, and even in the brief walks between classes. I'll be walking to class, and I'll be thinking about something, maybe even daydreaming, and I'll forget where I am and what I'm doing. That is, I'll completely phase out and go blank for a moment while my body is on auto pilot. Then I'll snap awake and realize that I'm in the middle of a crowded brickyard walking toward class. It's one of the weirdest feelings I've ever had, perhaps topped by my weird reaction to a certain anti-histamine last year. And, I used to be a prolific reader - I read and I read, and then I read. I loved reading - fiction, good fiction, that is - and I still do. But now the only time I have for it is between classes. But when I do have time for it, I'll make an honest attempt, and ten minutes later, I'm doing something different. However, I did finish a book Saturday night, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - possibly one of my favorite books - and I was so proud of myself! But now, I'm reading Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. It's a good book, and I loved The DaVinci Code, but I can't keep my mind on it. I've barely made a dent into the book. Maybe I'll give it another try - perhaps now. Adieu

Prunus Mume

Prunus mume, or the Japanese Apricot, is currently in full bloom on North Campus, just beside the brickyard. I managed to take a few photos of these fluffy feathery pink clouds, as you can see. A woman asked me if I thought they were blooming early due to the warmer temperatures we've been experiencing. I replied that I thought that this was the normal blooming season, because way back in August of last year, at the start of my Botany course, I remember learning that these trees bloomed in later winter - early spring. Of course, I questioned myself immediately. Luckily, I knew the scientific name, so I looked it up - and I was semi-correct: they do bloom in late winter/early spring, but this is not late winter - it is barely middle winter! Can you believe that? Well, you can if you woke up early this morning - 29 degrees Fahrenheit! Brrrrrr. And yet tomorrow's high will be in the 60's - can't we just have some constant temperatures, please? And while I'm begging, can we please have some snow! Snow, fluffy, pristine snow, lovely white snow, delicious delicate snow! At home, snow is a rare occurrence - we normally receive a flake a year, with some variation, of course. Two years ago we received 6 inches! But I think that was directly related to the re-roofing of my family's home. 6 inches of snow, no roof on some sections, just the shell of one on others, and only one or two rooms with a suitable roof and insulation - can you say brrrrr? But the fun thing about being from such an environment is that at the first sign of imminent snow, schools, colleges, and businesses shut down. I'm in a similar place now, but they wait for the snow to accumulate before closing anything. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, I want snow, and I love the beautiful pink blossoms that so gracefully adorn the brickyard.