tea

A New Year and while I can I am enjoying the strangely warm weather. I was working in the Hortus Botanicus today. The investigative project on the life and death of trees continues.

Dusk at the Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam

I could claim my head was full of lofty, creative thoughts but the reality was I spent quite some time dreaming of a nice hot cup of tea. 8 degrees C is not particularly cold but not exactly the sort of temperature for working outdoors and after being immobile for an hour my fantasy did not extend beyond hot beverages. There is something profoundly grounding to work outdoors, to feel the temperature, the wind, to try to grab seconds of sunshine and to focus on essential things like drawing and tea.

"hints of … perfection…."

Sometimes returning to familiar environments can be both reassuring and energizing. I have Swiss family and since I was 3 months old I have been visiting Switzerland. To start my New Year I spent a few days in the French speaking part.

view from the Chateau of Prangins

The weather was astoundingly mild. The sky blue and the view of the Lake of Geneva was beautiful, I know it has hints of chocolate box perfection but this is a special view of the Alps and from this distance they are like lace edging to the sky. They are hiding their more grey, foreboding nature.   

Trees at the entrance to the Chateau

My obsession with trees continues despite having a day off and visiting the Chateau de Prangins- one of three National Museums of Switzerland.