It was yet another beautiful early fall day in New Orleans. I hopped on the bike to head to school early, and the air was just a teensy bit cool–perfect. I taught and taught and lunched and taught and by the end of the day I had a really impressive headache lodged behind my left eye. Ugh. I did not feel like doing anything but lying around in the dark, but I got on my bike and headed down to the gym. Then I discovered I’d left work I needed at the office. Sigh. Monday on Wednesday. Continue reading
trees
Vines and Trees at Freret & Upperline
I don’t usually ride as far as I did yesterday, and today I am feeling it, for sure. Hopping on the bike wasn’t the first thing I wanted to do today, but by 11:00, I had to head up to campus, so off we went. Turns out it helps to just spin around on the bike a bit. After a delightful lunch with a delightful student and some work in this office and that, I headed to the bar to meet folks for drinks. One drink, though, and I knew it was time for a few last pedals home to rest. I snapped this picture at Freret and Upperline of a vine wrapped around a tree and then wrapped around the telephone line. I love how the plants have just decided to act like sure, we can both be in the very same space at the very same time, so what? Nobody’s giving in here. A few bumpy blocks of Freret on my way to the smooth new asphalt on Peniston, and I was on my way home.
Truck and Flowering Tree at Camp and Toledano
My legs were kind of wilty today after yesterday’s ride so I kept my ride to the commute to campus for class and then back home. I pedaled along, noticing the lushness that all this heat and humidity give us. Back at the beginning of spring we got the brilliant azaleas and that insidious cat’s claw and the cloying jasmine. I always feel a little sad as the heat comes on because I know it’s the end of that first wild color, but lately as I ride around I’ve been noticing the outrageous fuschias and purples and the sparkling bright whites of these flowering trees. Continue reading
Magnolia Tree in Bloom at Magazine and First
I remember springtime in New York City when I was in college. There was this giant magnolia tree on the main lawn, and as the temperatures warmed up, it would start to bud, and we would all watch, waiting impatiently for its large pink flowers to open. Continue reading
Broken Toilet and Lone Tree in Front of Blighted Property at Amelia and S. Robertson
Carnival is over, and I have to admit, I’m glad about that. I need to get back to work and besides, my right shoulder hurts from reaching for beads. I rode my bike up to campus for a surprisingly well-attended couple of classes. The ride wasn’t easy, though. Continue reading
Tree Growing Out of the Sidewalk at Magazine and Toledano
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but it’s really cold in New Orleans right now. It is much, much colder than I can remember it being since I moved here, and I don’t exactly know how to ride a bike in this weather. I know, I know, you just ride, but how do you stay warm? I realized today that I don’t even really have a decent coat. Continue reading
Oak Tree and Toilet on Octavia and Chestnut
Oh, it was a beautiful day. Ok, not in terms of weather; we had yet another rainstorm that meant cold and wet riding. But it was beautiful in that way a day is beautiful when you have nothing pressing to do except breathe it in. I rode down to meet a friend for brunch, and then I rode back Uptown for a haircut. I stopped to snap this picture on Octavia and Chestnut. I just love this tree. Oak trees in New Orleans just aren’t like other trees. They are outrageous. Continue reading
Tree Root Across the Sidewalk on St. Mary’s Near Coliseum
I am under the weather, all sniffles and sinuses, and this is really putting a dent in my bicycling. I mean, I need to breathe, people! But after some decongestant and guaifenesin, I was in shape to ride to the CBD to meet K. for our weekly dinner date. It was hot and cool, depending on the shade level, and I showed up thirsty. Continue reading
Tree Debris at General Taylor and Annunciation
The past couple of days have found me a bit in denial. I want to ride my bike. A lot. But I pulled a muscle while riding around on Saturday. I really, really want to be riding my bike, but even walking hurts, so today I faced the music and stayed off my bike. Sort of. Continue reading
Flowering Tree on Constance
I’ve been taking a few days to recover from my long birthday ride in the heat (as well as the wee bit of drinking I did that night), so I have just been riding Rhoda around on errands for the past couple of days. But that’s what bikes are for–transportation wherever you happen to need to go–so it works for me. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 