Orangina is a fantastic beverage, I love the glass (the only thing still in glass - except sometimes Snapple). I love the sound it makes when you unscrew the cap, and I love the orange texture on the top of the bottle. I like that you can shake it even though it's a little fizzy and that if you don't there are pieces of orange concentrate on the bottom. I love the sweet after taste and the feel that you're drinking something healthy when in fact it's only 12% juice, 2% pulp and the rest water and yes, high fructose corn syrup. It's right up there with Yoohoo in nutritional value and childhood appreciation. It pretty much made my day.

wow

On the way to teach 1st grade in Hartford today (that will have to be another entry another day) I saw trees that were not just starting to turn but were that breathtaking funfetti of colors that you just want to be in the middle of. A radiant yellow orange treetop iced in brilliant red seemed to jump off the side of the road.

It seemed that during the day and it became even more fantastic - perhaps it was the glisten of rain on its boughs but on my way home it took my eyes from the road for longer than it should have. I wanted to take a picture but as I am becoming aware, if I did that it would look no different than any other tree here within the next week. What a treat - it is remarkable and at the same time depressing if you spend time really thinking about it - the trees are setting off their last fireworks, using every last ounce of energy to wow the world before they sleep in ugliness for the winter. Certainly snow has its own beauty and I'm always in awe of that as well but I have to just enjoy the color while it's here without considering the dreaded cold months coming.

I love the awe in the first graders' eyes when they go outside and say, "Miss! Look the leaves are turning colors!" There are others who share my joy : )! And that makes it even greater.