Some fragmented thoughts on whether trees fart, the unseen labor of plants, apple-celeriac soup, a congressman's servant leadership, and an ancient prayer
We grew up with a weeping willow at the end of our road as kids (UK). It was a meeting point when ‘playing out’ of an evening. Lots has changed, but it’s still there.
And My Dad was the village ‘tree warden’ and can name almost any tree you ask him. I must ask him more.
In the UK’s first lockdown, in a part of London called Walthamstow, somebody walked round and wrote the names of trees in chalk on the pavement next to them all. I just think that’s wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your words. I love the encouragement to consider other species since we all share this planet.
I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life. It’s not perfect, but it’s home and I’ll always love it for that. I’m also not good at identifying trees, but I remember a large one in the backyard of my parent’s house that provided a sturdy back rest and great shade.
if I had a 4-year-old child I would simply answer: "nope, trees don´t fart they breathe!" simple and straight to the point answer. That´s exactly what I am trying to do since last Wednesday, Jan 6th: breathe! I love oak trees!
The older I get, the more I realize that nature feeds my soul. As a child, I spent almost all my time outside. I read this with delight. Also, I enjoy the food portions (snicker) of your articles. I didn't know I could use the celery base. Good to know!
I love that entire album by Fernando Ortega. It always opens my soul to the possibility of God's presence. Thanks for mentioning it and encouraging me to add it back to my play list.
My favourite trees are Japanese maples. Such wonderful colours throughout the growing season, and graceful lines even when the leaves have fallen.
The latest thing to come out of my kitchen has been tonkotsu. I hadn't made it from scratch before. The long simmering time required to make the broth has been a meditative practice for me....certainly needed in these days of grief and lament.
I love sugar maples for there brilliant red colour. But, really all trees. I find hope in God who created all things and declared them good. Also, a favourite psalm is 139. I bake bread which is great for working out frustration. My prayers are for all Americans in this time of transition.
I really love the Aspens. I am not lucky enough to live in a part of the county where these grow but always look forward to trips in Colorado to see them. The leaves remind me of tiny hearts and as they rustle it sounds like light rain. The white bark is so distinctive amidst the green of the forests. I am hooked on artisan breads this month. Made a very easy whole wheat boule that was delicious last night. Comfort soups of any kind seem to fit in right now as well.
My favorite tree is really a shrub, the lilac. There was one at the PA home I grew up in and my mom & 2 older sisters and I always took pictures in front of it (mother's day, graduation, prom, etc). They aren't found often in NC and so when we moved to a new home in October 2020, we decided to plant a tree. My husband and I decided on a lilac. So far it's not dead so I'm hopeful it'll survive.
Thank you so much for this. I am so very fond of trees but funnily my favorites are not the ones that are native to my home in MN. I always feel bad because we have perfectly lovely trees here, but my very favorites are sycamore (there are actually a literal handful of those here), tulip and magnolia.
There's something about Cottonwood Poplars that both takes me back to childhood, and looking at the enormous old trees that gives me comfort now. The leaves whisper in the wind.
Heavy snow took a toll on my trees this week. It’s a rare thing here in East Texas. Lost a 20’ Cedar. Many of the 100’ Pines lost large branches (glad I moved my truck) most of the cleanup is done, except the raking. That is on tap for tomorrow.
We were surrounded by birch trees growing up in northern Ontario, Canada. My swedish grandmother always loved them too, and when I eventually went to Sweden, I understood why. When I see birch trees, with their lovely white trunks, I feel I'm home.
Serious comment. I realize I don't believe the insurrection at the Capitol was racist in nature. My deconstruction is new, meaning I was raised in racism. Also, I keep hearing so much about Antifa being used by Democrats in the spring and Republicans now is it? that I have lost touch with reality. I am surrounded by Evangelical Trump supporters.
“Think outside your own existence,” Heskel said, “and maybe you’ll feel just a little less lonely.”
There was so much in what you shared today it made my heart full. Thank you.
I’m heading back out to clean up debris in our yard from the two great firs that stand between us and a condo. We had a great wind storm and there were some large branches that came down. It’s been a point of contention and yesterday after another nasty phone call from the condo manager I was ready to give in and say fine I’ll cut down the trees. But now I shall name them instead. I really don’t want to be angry and maybe the struggle is more challenging right now because of not being intentional of what I am listening to. And I need to remind myself and The neighbours that these trees are a giving gift. We will chip, mulch and compost and in the spring, if I am feeling gracious I could share flowers with them.
We grew up with a weeping willow at the end of our road as kids (UK). It was a meeting point when ‘playing out’ of an evening. Lots has changed, but it’s still there.
And My Dad was the village ‘tree warden’ and can name almost any tree you ask him. I must ask him more.
In the UK’s first lockdown, in a part of London called Walthamstow, somebody walked round and wrote the names of trees in chalk on the pavement next to them all. I just think that’s wonderful.
Thank you for sharing your words. I love the encouragement to consider other species since we all share this planet.
I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life. It’s not perfect, but it’s home and I’ll always love it for that. I’m also not good at identifying trees, but I remember a large one in the backyard of my parent’s house that provided a sturdy back rest and great shade.
if I had a 4-year-old child I would simply answer: "nope, trees don´t fart they breathe!" simple and straight to the point answer. That´s exactly what I am trying to do since last Wednesday, Jan 6th: breathe! I love oak trees!
The older I get, the more I realize that nature feeds my soul. As a child, I spent almost all my time outside. I read this with delight. Also, I enjoy the food portions (snicker) of your articles. I didn't know I could use the celery base. Good to know!
It doesn't come with the celery, at least as far as I have noticed! https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/15-best-celeriac-recipes-article
I love that entire album by Fernando Ortega. It always opens my soul to the possibility of God's presence. Thanks for mentioning it and encouraging me to add it back to my play list.
My favourite trees are Japanese maples. Such wonderful colours throughout the growing season, and graceful lines even when the leaves have fallen.
The latest thing to come out of my kitchen has been tonkotsu. I hadn't made it from scratch before. The long simmering time required to make the broth has been a meditative practice for me....certainly needed in these days of grief and lament.
I love sugar maples for there brilliant red colour. But, really all trees. I find hope in God who created all things and declared them good. Also, a favourite psalm is 139. I bake bread which is great for working out frustration. My prayers are for all Americans in this time of transition.
I really love the Aspens. I am not lucky enough to live in a part of the county where these grow but always look forward to trips in Colorado to see them. The leaves remind me of tiny hearts and as they rustle it sounds like light rain. The white bark is so distinctive amidst the green of the forests. I am hooked on artisan breads this month. Made a very easy whole wheat boule that was delicious last night. Comfort soups of any kind seem to fit in right now as well.
My favorite tree is really a shrub, the lilac. There was one at the PA home I grew up in and my mom & 2 older sisters and I always took pictures in front of it (mother's day, graduation, prom, etc). They aren't found often in NC and so when we moved to a new home in October 2020, we decided to plant a tree. My husband and I decided on a lilac. So far it's not dead so I'm hopeful it'll survive.
"So far it's not dead." That's what I say about most things I grow.
Thank you sharing Fernando Ortega's Trisagion.
Thank you so much for this. I am so very fond of trees but funnily my favorites are not the ones that are native to my home in MN. I always feel bad because we have perfectly lovely trees here, but my very favorites are sycamore (there are actually a literal handful of those here), tulip and magnolia.
There's something about Cottonwood Poplars that both takes me back to childhood, and looking at the enormous old trees that gives me comfort now. The leaves whisper in the wind.
Heavy snow took a toll on my trees this week. It’s a rare thing here in East Texas. Lost a 20’ Cedar. Many of the 100’ Pines lost large branches (glad I moved my truck) most of the cleanup is done, except the raking. That is on tap for tomorrow.
We were surrounded by birch trees growing up in northern Ontario, Canada. My swedish grandmother always loved them too, and when I eventually went to Sweden, I understood why. When I see birch trees, with their lovely white trunks, I feel I'm home.
Serious comment. I realize I don't believe the insurrection at the Capitol was racist in nature. My deconstruction is new, meaning I was raised in racism. Also, I keep hearing so much about Antifa being used by Democrats in the spring and Republicans now is it? that I have lost touch with reality. I am surrounded by Evangelical Trump supporters.
“Think outside your own existence,” Heskel said, “and maybe you’ll feel just a little less lonely.”
There was so much in what you shared today it made my heart full. Thank you.
I’m heading back out to clean up debris in our yard from the two great firs that stand between us and a condo. We had a great wind storm and there were some large branches that came down. It’s been a point of contention and yesterday after another nasty phone call from the condo manager I was ready to give in and say fine I’ll cut down the trees. But now I shall name them instead. I really don’t want to be angry and maybe the struggle is more challenging right now because of not being intentional of what I am listening to. And I need to remind myself and The neighbours that these trees are a giving gift. We will chip, mulch and compost and in the spring, if I am feeling gracious I could share flowers with them.