Ceci n'est pas un arbre

this is not a tree

aren't i clever? sorry, just couldn't resist the joke. this was one of many cool things i saw in st. louis. ("roll 'em up!")

for instance, do you know what it's like to doze on a soft blanket under a nighttime sky while shakespeare is being performed in the background? well, i do. and it's wonderful. it's even better after a picnic of fresh cherries and dark chocolate. and did i mention the seals, the ones from the zoo that woke me with their happy barks? arr arr arr!

i had a wonderful time visiting with good friends, in particular my best girlfriend, and eating lots of good food. (best meal of the weekend? persian breakfast on saturday morning - pita bread, french feta, fresh sliced tomatoes, dates, and persian tea with sugar cubes. heaven i tell you.)

and though many moments were bittersweet (because "it's hard to be around married people"), they all felt purposeful and meaningful, with lessons of love and joy and compassion playing out at every turn. i had some adventures too - rock climbing, beautifying, etc. - with lessons of strength and endurance, hope and trust in their own right...

and the trip home? i sought out better books until i found them, and then, well, it seemed as if they found me...

my eyelids are no longer obeying me, so i will have to tackle these thoughts another time.

good night, oh grand midwest. you are cooler than i ever imagined.