good things in oxford:

1. rivers in parks
   
2. dinosaurs
3. primark
4. cool old buildings
5. friends
6. cookies
7. markets
8. doorways
9. the view from my room (and my pansy plant)

perfection.

Three days ago I left summer in Abilene and stepped off the plane into English fall. It's lovely here. Even the way it smells - everything is older, earthier, greener, crisper. I already feel quite at home in my room upstairs at 9 Canterbury Road.
Just walking down the road is an experience. Seeing buildings on either side of you that are older than our country, passing people on bikes with baskets full of groceries, little old women in hats, people kissing on the sidewalk, gardens and buses and a myriad of compact cars - I could wander around for hours.
So far I've been to University Park, a really fun concert at the Jericho Tavern, Summertown, Primark, and Ben's cookies, and countless other interesting shops and buildings and alleys. I can't choose a favorite.
The weather here is wonderful today. Mostly sunny, but a bright, crisp glow that just brightens everything. It's very up and down with umbrellas here. One minute it will be pleasant, and the next it will start drizzling. We are forever running upstairs for another jacket.
So, I suppose I should take advantage of today's sun in the park. I'm off to picnic....Cheerio!