Lilacs

Lilac season is just starting here, which means cattitude is congested and headachy. We both love the smell of lilacs, but he developed an allergy to them somewhere along the line, which makes it less appealing to go to the botanic garden or arboretum and sniff each lilac bush, because they don't all smell the same.

I have a repeating annual calendar entry that says "lilacs? if so, ping anne" so we can go to the Harvard Arboretum together, and this year we won't be able to do that.

There's one lilac bush near enough that I might be able to smell if from the back parking lot, the part that's behind the other building, but there's a solid fence between the parking lot and the adjacent garden, so I won't be able to get close. Unfortunately, enough pollen can reach us to set off Cattitude's allergy, without enough scent to enjoy.

In a few days, I will be going out with a bandanna tied over my face, approaching neighborhood lilac bushes, and carefully lifting the bandanna so I can smell the flowers. Probably early in the day, so there will be fwer people around.

Cool thing of the day

tarascon pointed to this article about rainbow obsidian, including photos of something that's at least as cool as the name sounds.



Lots more photos, from a commercial rock/mineral store.