Driving down the road with the windows open this morning I catch a whiff of flower-scent—hyacinth? rose? daffodil? lavender? I don't have a clue—and suddenly realize how much practice I need at properly noticing things: aromas, colors, sounds, flavors, textures ... and especially faces. By nature I'm largely unaware, unless there's an equation involved. For years I've said that if there were a one-word epitaph carved on my tombstone it would be Oblivious.

So I've learned some new names for hues—fuchsia, taupe, ecru—a good baby step. Paying attention, however, is the crucial thing to work on. Sounds like a belated New Year's resolution!

^z - 2010-05-30