walks

Now that the weather is warmer, and the sunlight lasts a little longer, I have been going out for walks more often. It's nice to see the trees, the blooms, and the animals. A workday afternoon walk helps me relax. A weekend morning walk allows me to refresh. I highly recommend either one, or both. 

Easter Monday

A day off work as Spring Break comes to a close, but not a day off of my doctoral program. I am still hammering away at the two comprehensive exams that are due by April 24.  I've been slowly grinding out those two, 15-page papers...even blew them off for the four days I was in Palm Springs. And, I managed to pick up a head cold just before Easter Sunday. Good times. 

Back at the writing today. But, I did take a lunch break and repotted the (Tradescantia fluminensis) Nanouk that I picked up at Trader Joes's a few weeks ago. It needed a bigger pot, one that is not a bunny. And, I decided to break off the Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) sprout from its mother and plant it on its own. Not only did it provide a nice break from writing scholarly papers, it serves as a reminder to nourish and recenter on occasion. 

note to self: only 29 more days of school until summer 

Indian Wells

Took a trip to the Palm Springs area for three nights/four days. A road trip. While the winds blew like hell the last few miles on the way there, it was totally worth it. And, I’m now beginning to understand why people retire to the desert. 

philately

Scenes from the newly inherited collection of a novice philatelist

I haven’t had much time to examine my grandfather’s & father’s stamp collection, because there’s a whole dissertation to slog through. And, there’s a full-time job that’s eating up a substantial amount of time. Although, when I have a free moment or two, I love to randomly pull a stamp to learn more about it. 

I find some of these stamps fascinating. This one is one of the few cancelled or postmarked stamps, from grandpa’s time as a professor at Stanford.