Itchy Eyes, beautiful dogwoods

These last few days have been absolutely magical on our campus. With all of these amazing trees we now know the names of blooming, and the year winding down, it feels like everything is in its place. I know it has been mentioned quite a bit in previous posts, but it really has made a huge difference to know the names of every tree at the University. Granted, it was kind of a pain in the butt to learn them, but it was so worth it. Education enriches everything around you, and knowledge about trees is no different. It is just a further broadening of our horizons into the natural areas of life, and is a wonderful exploration. Spring will never be viewed the same by Earth Lodge on this campus ever again. Knowing what we do about our riparian area, the trees around us, the larger watershed, and what is going on in our surrounding environments creates a consciousness that adds a sweetness to life, like when you drink licorice tea and it leaves a little gift of a tingly sweet aftertaste in your mouth. Delicious.
My reflection spot has grown increasingly beautiful as the semester has waned. It is almost astonishing this process that happens- somehow just two weeks ago, spring was barely upon us. And now, the whole world has come to life! And yes, just as I expected in my previous post, a bunch of new couples holding hands and being cute have emerged around campus. It is so predictable but still really wonderful. The only thing that I can manage to think I’d shake my fist at would be the constant itch of an eye tormented by pollenation.And still, that can’t truly get me down. As I sit, my thoughts go from trees, to couples, to this year. I have begun to realize how different my year would have been if I had not had Earth Lodgers to stand shoulder to shoulder with, fearlessly taking it on. Y’all prevented this famed “sophomore slump” for me, and I hope that I have done the same for you. When I look back on my year, you guys are the ones who make me smile, who I go to just to talk or lean on, and without y’all 15 steps away, this year would have been a helluva lot more difficult to take on. Thanks, guys 🙂