[Willow Tree Chrysalis figurine, taken January 2011.] 

This weekend, I had to work. I didn't take pictures. I didn't go running. I was tired, and I started having weird pain in my left shin in the exact place where I once had a stress fracture and once broke it for real, so I spent some time being worried about that. I got mad at Rob for stupid things. Friday was the birthday of a friend who died last summer, and I cried. It was just one of those days where you say "It's been one of those days," but it wasn't one day, it was three.

I was reminded of this quote that I read and wrote down on a piece of paper and have held on to for almost four years:
"So this is why I write. Because most times, your life isn't funny the first time through. Most times, you can hardly stand it."
--Chuck Palahniuk, Almost California 

Sometimes, things are hard. And yet, I can always feel that there's hope just around the corner. I am reassured in the fact that I can sit here at my computer and tell you the truth. Because sometimes, people feel a little bit beat up by life, and it's not pretty, but it's okay. Because it's life and even when it's hard, it's good, and we're all in it together. Keep going.

Let's all have a good Monday and a week full of happiness. We deserve it.

The weather in Charlottesville has been warm and absolutely beautiful for the past few days, so when I woke up this morning, I donned 2012's first shorts and hastily smoothed on some lotion with sunscreen in it. Then I went to work.

It wasn't until several hours later that I realized how much I smelled like summer.

Sure, different smells can arouse all sorts of memories. And sure, sunscreen smells like summer. But I was startled by how very specific my thoughts and memories were.

I thought of grad school--those six weeks starting in July, and Men, Women, and Dragons: Gender and Identity in Fantasy for Children, which was from 9AM-12PM every Monday and Wednesday in that freezing room in the art building. I thought about quick Starbucks runs for dirty iced chais by myself on those same days before my History & Criticism class. I thought of that apartment with the brick walls and the cold shiny floors. I thought about Roanoke, last summer. All this, because of some sunscreen.

It's the way that filling my car with gasoline doesn't do anything to me, but the way the smell of gasoline from someone else's car when I'm sitting in traffic on a hot day reminds me of summer afternoons spent in the sun, in a boat, on the lake.

It makes me wonder what smells will hit me in the years to come, reminding me of this current season of life.

I know that it's a little early to be fantasizing about summer. But spring has definitely sprung, and that's something.

Which scents take you back?

I've told you before that I'm not a big thrifter. I think Goodwill smells weird and everything that's for sale there looks to me like it's from the '80s--not in a good way. But I do have to admit that I took one real shot at thrifting, and it went well.

Enter blue dress. It wasn't the prettiest thing I had ever laid eyes on, but I knew it had potential. The sleeves were huge and the skirt fell almost to the floor. But the lace was beautiful and that blue color was unlike anything else in my closet. 

So, I got it and then promptly brought it to a seamstress. She and I knew there was a pretty dress in there somewhere. 

Dress: Thrifted

Shoes: J.Crew

Earrings: La De Da

Makeup: Chanel