I grew up without bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), so I continue to learn about this ancient (as in, evolved to its “stopping” point [discuss this verbal/conceptual sloppiness amongst yourselves], early on) species. This was its week to drop needle clusters (excuse plz, “deciduous branchlets”) making, this day, a subtle, gorgeous carpet of still-fresh organic matter.
Current major personal and situational influence: Domaine du Vieux Chêne, Vaucluse, 2011, vin rouge.