Pale Pink

My first day back from vacation dawned a cool, grey morning.  The full of summer is decidedly past.  I actually wore a sweater from the car into the office.

And so, with a heavy heart, this evening I paid my last visit for the season to the nail salon, L&S, for my final pedicure.  Hana turned my smiling, hot pink toes into muted, pale, fall-appropriate little piggies.

It's funny to think that I mark the season in nail color, now.  I, who wore closed-toe, lab-appropriate shoes for lo these 15 years, have in three short annum grown so accustomed to the coveted decoration that it is a device to measure time.  The friends who usually accompany me during this pamper time typically chose practical colors: mauves, french-style, or neutral pinks.  I always choose the fire engine reds, salacious pinks, or neon oranges.  I hope in a few years more that I still do, that this small reminder of freedom from the bench never grows tiresome.  The flash of joyful color is a private rejoicing of how far I've come and how hard I worked to get where I am.

Image courtesy of LPNP