Happy Valentine's Day

I've posted this image before. It has always been a crowd favorite, and it seems very appropriate for today.

Enjoy the repeat performance.

-crystal

Trees

I'll be the first one to admit it a part of me liked a certain aspects of the recent ice storm. (This shouldn't come as that much of a surprise from a girl named crystal.) Sure, it came with all kinds of challenges, however you have to admit it was beautiful. 

 

When the ice storm hit two weeks ago, I found myself  fascinated by the trees. There is magic transformation that occurs by seeing everything encased in ice.  Branches bow and droop under the weight of the snow and ice. Suddenly, many of the trees came to resemble weeping willows, which have always been my favorite.  The tree-lined walkways on campus became winter garden archways.  You can't help but feel a special (and a little nervous) walking beneath them. 

It's a strange balance between beauty and danger.  I remember watching the trees seem to dance and sway in the wind with a gentle motion. Then I'd hear a loud crack and turn to see limbs and ice crash to the ground, which would bring me back to reality.

Now the ice has melted and the trees appear to have lost their magic.  Many have damaged limbs or simply look broken altogether.   I feel sorry for the trees. I find myself wishing for spring not because of the warm weather, but  so the trees can hide the scars behind their leaves. 

For the past couple of days we've been treated to some of this spring-like weather, but it has come at a price. Tremendous wind and rain storms  have once again attacked the trees that are already weakened. Today, I saw more downed limbs and up-rooted trees, which makes me sigh a heavy sigh.  

So I'm posting some photos from a night when I still found the trees very magical.  I like to think of them all dressed up with glitz and glamour.

  

And of course they danced...