I woke up this morning to the good news that antibiotics work.  I feel so, so much better and got to ride my bike to work this afternoon.  Today was cold, by New Orleans standards anyway, and the ride was brisk.  I quickly discovered that feeling better doesn’t mean one is well–my throat was burning and my breath caught.  But still, riding felt wonderful.  I especially liked seeing the many magnolia trees that are starting to bloom.  When I lived in New York, these trees bloomed in March, and we always feared the freeze that would kill the early buds and blooms.  But here the trees are blooming in January.  That this looks like spring still astounds me.  I snapped a shot of this magnolia tree at the corner of Camp and Octavia, but I could have shot many more.  St. Charles Avenue hosts dozens of these trees, many hidden behind privacy fences, but still peeking over at the rest of us.  These trees are showy, audacious, gaudy yet stately–in other words, just the kinds of trees that would love it here in New Orleans.  We’ve got a freeze threat tonight.  I’m going to cross my fingers that the blooms make it through, because once they’re gone, they’re gone till next year.  Fleeting indeed.