University of Arkansas: Decking the Halls at Christmastime

Yesterday, I spent some time walking around the University of Arkansas. During this almost-winter, end-of-semester, Christmas-is-a-coming season, campus has a completely different feel. The Hill is no longer packed with tailgate tents. Gone is the new fall semester excitement centering around game day. Now, students laden with backpacks and plugged into earbuds rush from here to there, briskly, because the morning is cold, and there’s somewhere to be. Campus beats at a raw, efficient pace. Let’s get ‘er done and get to Christmas or home or graduation or wherever.

Buildings are decked with boughs of holly and crowned with holiday wreaths.

Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

History waits at every turn, in every old brick, in every name carved into Senior Walk. Each tree, monument and historical marker represent stories memorized, fading or even forgotten. Forgotten, yet still part of such hallowed ground. I felt like I was walking inside a snow globe sprinkled in glitter, or pixie dust, or at the very least favored with a certain sort of specialness because of achievements made and to be made, ideas created and to be created by past, present, and future students.

For a Baylor University alumna*, I can get downright philosophical about the University of Arkansas.

Most of the leaves have fallen leaving circles of orange and fragrant pathways. Stripped down trees offer nature, bare and beautiful. Even the squirrels seem to have hunkered down for the season, their heavy nests cling to topmost branches. Balls dangle from Sweet Gum trees like Christmas ornaments. All across campus, knotholes keep watch over their flock of students.

Without the distraction of fall color or spring blossoms, campus buildings shine in their own right.

Follow me in merry measure…
The Inn at Carnal Hall reflects simple holiday elegance.

As does the gorgeous Tri Delta house.

Fa la la la la…

and Wooo Pig Sooie!

Only 10 sleeps, y’all.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]University of Arkansas at Christmastime! @UArkansas @fayetteville_ar #Razorbacks #WPS[/tweetthis]

* but I am a Razorback Mom, Razorback Wife, Razorback Fan, Life Member of the Razorback Alumni Association, Native Arkansawyer, future Arkansas MFA (in my dreams)…

Musical Pairing:
Deck the Halls, Tenth Avenue North (most fun version ever!!! imo)