Yesterday, I spent some time walking around the University of Arkansas. During this almost-winter, end-of-semester, Christmas-is-a-coming season, campusย has a completely different feel. The Hill is no longer packed with tailgate tents. Gone is the new fall semesterย excitement centering aroundย game day. Now, students laden with backpacks and plugged into earbuds rush from here to there, briskly, because the morningย isย cold, and there’s somewhere to be. Campus beatsย at a raw, efficient pace. Let’s get ‘erย done and get to Christmas or home or graduation or wherever.
Buildingsย are decked with boughs of holly and crowned with holiday wreaths.
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Historyย waits at every turn, in every old brick, in every name carved into Senior Walk. Eachย tree, monument and historical marker represent storiesย memorized, fading or even forgotten. Forgotten, yetย still part of suchย hallowed ground. I felt like I was walking inside aย snow globe sprinkled inย glitter, or pixie dust, or atย the very least favoredย 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 philosophicalย about the University of Arkansas.
Most of the leaves have fallen leavingย circles ofย orange and fragrant pathways. Stripped down trees offerย nature, bare and beautiful. Even the squirrels seem to have hunkered down for the season, their heavy nests cling to topmost branches. Balls dangleย from Sweet Gum trees like Christmas ornaments.ย All across campus, knotholes keep watch overย their flock of students.
Without the distraction of fall color or spring blossoms, campus buildingsย shine in their own right.
Follow me in merry measure…
The Inn at Carnal Hallย reflects simple holiday elegance.
As doesย the gorgeousย Triย 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 amย aย 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)
Very nice blog! I’m Fa la la la Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Colene!
I don’t know where that ‘I’m’ came from.
I thought you were using Fa La La as a verb. I’m Fa la la-ing. It works LOL.