The sun, it burns!

No pictures today, because I forgot my camera and Chris isn't here right now.

We went to the Nassau County Art Museum, except not really. We actually went to a museum on their grounds dedicated to miniatures, where they were having a rather disappointing Alice in Wonderland themed exhibit. Then we ate a picnic in their grassy field, visited their guest shop (where I got an awesome painted and embroidered scarf), and walked down one of their nature trails.

Once again, despite sunscreen, I managed to burn. It isn't a bad burn, doesn't hurt, but I don't like being red in the face. I fear it may be time to join the ranks of the hat-wearers, even though it drives me crazy to have a brim obstructing my view. I suspect that skin cancer would drive me even more crazy.

Also, we went to Utopia, the goth/hippie shop that we always visit. I almost bought myself a corset, but instead I just bought two faerie tanktops which were on clearance sale, and four packages of new scents of my favorite brand of incense.

Anyway, time to iron the things that got wrinkled in my suitcase.

So small and fragile.

The desert is green, and there are wildflowers in bloom everywhere. I saw a lot of flowers on the drive to and from the Faire, but I didn't stop for any pictures. Yesterday, however, I was walking back from the mailbox and I was struck by these little-bitty daisy-like flowers that were growing right at the edge of the parking lot.

How small and fragile, I thought to myself. What a tenuous existence. At any moment, one of my neighbors could be walking to or from their car and squash this tiny plant without even noticing. And yet there it is, blooming alongside the asphalt, practically in the shadow of front bumpers.

Flowers are one of the many things that I know nothing about, so I have no idea what sort of plant this is. And I know the picture could be better, but my little view screen is hard to see in the bright, bright sun, so I pointed, zoomed in, and hoped for the best. One day I should really learn how to use my camera, but so far, the results of my inexpert shooting aren't too bad.

This is a post for those out there who think that we don't have seasons in the desert. Our Spring may be short, but it's beautiful. I love this time of year. The sky is so clear, the days are warm with a gentle breeze, and birds call night and day. Soon the palo verde trees will be in bloom, for a short time their branches will be literally covered in little yellow flowers, and then they'll all fall away, to blow around in every breeze. It's an amazing time.

Tomorrow, I'll have more beading to talk about, but today I just wanted to share these tiny blooms.

Close to Nature...

I am so tired tonight! Today we went to The Planting Fields, which is an old estate from the early 20th century. The grounds are full of lawns, trees, and gardens of all sorts, not to mention greenhouses. All the buildings were closed while we were there, but that's ok -- as much as I wanted to see the inside of the Tudor-style mansion, the outdoors were amazing. I love to walk beneath the shade of the trees, admire all sorts of plants that we never see in the desert, and watch huge butterflies flit from flower to flower.

There were many cool moments which I'm simply too sleepy to describe right now. Suffice it to say that I found myself feeling very inspired (it's a shame that my book doesn't really take place in a natural setting, but at least I can use the inspiration for leafy jewelry!), and we've vowed to dedicate an entire day to the place next visit.

That said, I'm going to sleep now. We're going into NYC tomorrow and I need my energy for that!