The smell of books, the cozy shady nooks, the warm wood tones and the soft buttery leather all gave the library it’s well-deserved reputation of comfort & solace but it was the memories of the fingers turning page after page and the stories and worlds that people escaped to through the words that really gave it that je ne sais quoi.

Tonal Tuesday: the chesterfield in the library

Slowly at first and then suddenly and violently, Spring appeared. She had crept so slowly, no one had noticed until it was too late. Amongst all the rain and gray, she had been quietly arranging her debut. A chaos of flowers & allergens to bombard the general public.

Tonal Tuesday: Spring crept slowly

The rabbit had been busy all day; slaving over a hot oven in her tiny apron which was covered with flour & frosting. All Miss Chloe had to show for the day of work were all these delicious cupcakes. She really hoped her new neighbor, a handsome duck named Pato liked carrot cake.

Tonal Tuesday: the cupcakes and the rabbit

They spent the afternoons lounging together, tangled and daydreaming—allowing their future aspirations to tie themselves to one another. They made so many plans in those soft moments, too young to accept the monkey wrench of natural chaos the future would inevitably throw into their picture perfect plans. They had plans for the future but did not know the future had plans for them.

Tonal Tuesday: they had plans for the future

Tonal Tuesday: everything turns sepia under the city lights

Out the window, in Chicago, maybe at 3am: the city is soft and silent. Covered in glittering snow, turned vintage photograph in the yellow of the street lamps, it waits for the waking hour which has a long time to come.

Illustration: Salt and Pepper's Relationship

The nature of their relationship had changed over the years. Pepper was always brooding and Salt was never serious. They used to balance one another out but something had shifted for Pepper. He tried to put a finger on it. He decided the middle one fit best.

Finally: for Matt! The Story of the Happy Salt & Angry Pepper.