I have grown up close to water and surrounded by the deep green of trees. In my years away from the farm I found myself drawn to water and a need to wander in the woods. When I plan holidays they are always by water. Even in the largest cities I would hunt out a park to restore myself in.
My husband and I spent 3 days in Rome in 2007 and very quickly found this park in the middle of the city.
We went from Rome to Venice where we were of course surrounded by water but hardly a tree.
For many years I wandered around the many acres of forest on the Ranch. I find it very easy to get attached to a tree, and there is an expectation that they will always be there. Of course, that is not the case. Many of my favorite trees from my past have disappeared; the apricot tree at the top of my parent's driveway, the large tree beside my childhood home that provided a thick cool shade. Trees are like us, they die.
September 1967 finds me standing beside the tree in my yard.
Many years later this tree now provides extensive shade.
I no longer walk the forest paths on the Ranch. It does not feel safe anymore for a variety of reasons. However I remember well the paths that were once old logging roads made by my father many years ago when he used to selective log our property. Now the land is being commercially logged by a feller buncher. I doubt I will recognize many sections of the farm forest if I ever make my way there again.
The loss of the forest has brought to mind some of my favourite trees in and around the property. Our current home was moved onto what was at one time part of the barn yard and thus there were not very many trees. My father helped us rectify this situation by planting a few trees around the house. A couple of these tree were brought to the garden by the conventional method through purchase at the local nursery. The two maples that stand guard on the driveway arrived by unusual means. Eddy dug them out as mature trees using his excavator and moved them to their current location
The popular tree that we learned to live with.
Fortunately we do have a "true" popular tree that absolutely beams with light behind our house. Trees have formed part of our community on the Ranch, and there is an aching sadness as we lose some of our long time friends. Trees provide solace to the soul.
We went from Rome to Venice where we were of course surrounded by water but hardly a tree.
For many years I wandered around the many acres of forest on the Ranch. I find it very easy to get attached to a tree, and there is an expectation that they will always be there. Of course, that is not the case. Many of my favorite trees from my past have disappeared; the apricot tree at the top of my parent's driveway, the large tree beside my childhood home that provided a thick cool shade. Trees are like us, they die.
September 1967 finds me standing beside the tree in my yard.
Many years later this tree now provides extensive shade.
I no longer walk the forest paths on the Ranch. It does not feel safe anymore for a variety of reasons. However I remember well the paths that were once old logging roads made by my father many years ago when he used to selective log our property. Now the land is being commercially logged by a feller buncher. I doubt I will recognize many sections of the farm forest if I ever make my way there again.
The loss of the forest has brought to mind some of my favourite trees in and around the property. Our current home was moved onto what was at one time part of the barn yard and thus there were not very many trees. My father helped us rectify this situation by planting a few trees around the house. A couple of these tree were brought to the garden by the conventional method through purchase at the local nursery. The two maples that stand guard on the driveway arrived by unusual means. Eddy dug them out as mature trees using his excavator and moved them to their current location
The two maples that Eddy moved and planted with the excavator
I have loved popular trees since the time that I spent the summers in the Fisherman's Cabin which was located just below my parent's house. It had a beautiful popular tree that leaned gently into one corner of the screen porch. I love the sound the leaves make as they clap together in the wind. The tree was eventually fallen by a beaver. Eddy planted a popular tree in our front yard and we rejoiced at the thought of it's spreading branches with the soft clapping leaves however we soon discovered it was a columnar popular variety, and it stands as a reminder that things are not always as they first appear.
The popular tree that we learned to live with.
Fortunately we do have a "true" popular tree that absolutely beams with light behind our house. Trees have formed part of our community on the Ranch, and there is an aching sadness as we lose some of our long time friends. Trees provide solace to the soul.
He used the word Solace.
I had not expected that.
So lovely to be surprised, and happy too that he had found
comfort.
But what was the distress, the sorrow, that required such a
refuge?
Painful to see his sad moving soul, making his way,
Difficult to step back, or should I?
Yet again a reminder to never forget that we all carry
sorrows,
close to our hearts, they make our journey with us.
Look to your neighbor.
Long and steady, and remember they too struggle.
Happiness.
Comes briefly, lies gently on a shoulder, and then
disappears.
Remember this. Remember this.
It helps us to remain on the gentle path, the way of
kindness.
Remember.
Our neighbor suffers too.
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