July 20, 2011

Of all the time I spend at the Greenbelt, there is still so much of it I have yet to see.  We tend to traipse the same six or seven miles out, and back, our heads focused on water, form, and breathing, while our eyes are focused on not missing the stump, low-hanging branch, or jutting rock.  On top of this, it has been weeks since I've seen much of the Greenbelt with the sun overhead.  Taking a different route this evening, we came across a look-out point.  As I got closer to the edge, I cursed myself for forgetting my camera, as only a panoramic would even begin to do this view justice.  The treetops seem to stretch for miles, with homes peeking out here and there, hiding the reality that Austin lives within this beautiful landscape.  I hope I never cease to be jaded by any of this and I hope I never take it for granted.

July 20, 2011

I usually go back and forth as to which of Texas's two seasons is my favorite: summer or fall.  On the one hand, summer brings so much warm (read: blistering) sun, afternoons on the lake, and a general air of relaxation dressed up in shorts, a tee, and flip flops.  On the other hand, the melodramatic side of me adores the fall season: overcast skies with comfortingly depressing winds, a perpetual drizzle of rain, and late nights with red wine and a warm blanket.  It seems fall is stealing my affections this year, as this summer hasn't been quite as endearing as summers usually are, due to the persistent and oppressive heat, breaking records every other day, and the stark lack of rain.  It has had me craving the comfort of a chilly breeze, a warm scarf, and even a reason to stay inside.  Today came as close to this as I can expect for a while: a few drops of rain fell from a wonderfully gray sky as I left work and made my way home.  Alas, the reprieve was over by the time I pulled into the driveway, but it was just enough to remind me that fall is only a few months away.