I found this chestnut on a walk the other day. The texture caught my eye while walking and then upon examination the depth of it inspired me to think about our natural defenses — protecting ourselves, our environment and our sanity. Sometimes I wish I could don a coat of thorns and recede into the wild. Other times I want to shed the thorns and open up to the light. This little natural wonder speaks to both those urges.
Now if I could just remember where that tree was I could go collect a few more of these wonderful nuts and roast a little happiness into this cold cold day.