OOO #62: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
No originality, a park, and Valentine's Day flowers
Outfits
Ohio
The weather has been unseasonably warm this winter, but Friday it was both warm-ish AND the sun was out. After work, my husband and I decided to take advantage of the weather and head down to Scioto Grove Metro Park in Grove City for a walk right before the sun went down. We didn’t have any expectations going into our walk, especially since trails in winter are notoriously bleak. We ended up having a really great time.
There are a number of trails at the Scioto Grove Metro Park—all designated “easy”—that would be really beautiful both in the spring and when the trees have begun to turn. I liked walking along the Scioto River, which was low but unsurprising for February. The Metro Park had places for expected activities like picnicking, biking, fishing, and canoeing, but there were also spaces for less expected activities in a Metro Park: backpack camping and archery.
I was honestly surprised that there was so much nature this close to the city. We saw a herd of white-tailed deer a few times and heard birds we could not identify. There were a ton of old, tall trees that were pretty impressive. And I was pleased to see so many people out using the space—people were out with their dogs, kids, spouses, and by themselves. It was nice to see people still enjoying time outside this far out from COVID.
I should be better about spending time in Columbus’s Metro Parks, and the Scioto Grove Metro Park was a good place to start.
Other Things I Like
Happy Valentine’s Day! I have enjoyed Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember—including when I was single—and I always look forward to choosing something pink or red to wear on the day. As you can tell from my posts about Easter and Christmas decorations… I like a good holiday.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I will declare my love for a flower that most people take issue with: the carnation.
I associate carnations with Valentine’s Day more than any other holiday. This is probably because 1) I only ever see them in red, pink, or white and 2) because of my high school’s yearly National Honor Society Valentine’s fundraiser (which was undoubtedly not a practice unique to my high school). Each year, NHS members would sell cut-out construction paper hearts to our classmates, which they would return to us customized for their intended recipient. We would then attach these hearts to red carnations and would hand them out on Valentine’s Day during homeroom. Despite being president of NHS my senior year, my very kind high school boyfriend definitely bought me a dozen without me learning about it, which was very cool of him.
I don’t understand why people hate these flowers! I think they are aesthetically lovely; they always look neat and crisp even if they’re not uniform, and some of them even look like coral! I think they have a fun vintage vibe. I suppose that they are inexpensive and widely available which is why people might look down on them, but carnations also last for a very, very long time and neither droop nor get that awful flower smell.
I love tulips and hydrangeas and peonies and anemones, but carnations will always have a special place in my heart.
Old News
I would love to see more semi-precious gemstones featured in high-level jewelry. I love these turquoise pieces on now Queen Mary of Denmark.
I still don’t know exactly where I land on the SAT discussion, but I think Dartmouth’s reasoning and process are more compelling than most.
New York’s waterways are (generally) cleaner than they were, but we STILL have a way to go.
My husband LOVED this documentary; I still know all the words.
A tough playlist for millennials.
That’s it! Have a great rest of your week!