Trees

 

 

 

Yesterday I again walked through the garden at my house. I wanted some pictures of "the tree" in the backyard. The character of this old tree is amazing. In places it looks like it is pregnant. There are holes where critters live or have lived. It has a history of bees, birds, squirrels and raccoons.

Trees – by Joyce Kilmer

written in 1913

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

 

My mother loved poems and this is one I remember her sharing with me. Trees sends a strong message against deforestation. It highlights how trees are important to all living creatures. The poet says that if trees are cut, then there will be no shadow, no forest, and no shelter for the birds and insects. Trees planted throughout a city can lower the temperature by several degrees. Trees intrigue me with their different shapes and character. I love painting them when doing my small watercolors.

 

 

Scrolling through the past few months of pictures on my phone I see plenty of trees. I love noticing trees around me. One thing I enjoy even in my apartment now is looking out and seeing trees. I am a "tree hugger" for sure. Thankfully here in Oregon many others love trees too. Do you have trees surrounding you? Are you a "tree hugger"? I hope so!

 Sending love,

Marilyn

 

Walking

 Do you like walking?  I love going for walks, but lately because of health concerns I became afraid to go walking by myself. Really, it was my own paranoia, but to me it was real. So I am trying to walk again. Recently I walked with a friend at a labyrinth tucked in the woods.

 

Our conversation before beginning our walk was about ancestors.  With that conversation on my mind, as I walked I envisioned my ancestors surrounding me. The smaller tree in the curve of the walk as we approached represented my grandson, so strong, yet still growing. One day he will be as tall as his surroundings and stretch his arms out wide to embrace life.

The large tree behind the wall represented my grandfather. He stood silently nearby, always watching and I believe he is still watching and smiling with a tear in his eye, saying "well done"! 

There was a butterfly that passed by, which to me represented my mother and the women in the family of ancestors. They were always flitting here and there, full of color and delight, always present and beautiful. 

Now I must go walking. I must notice what I notice.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Sending love, Marilyn

The Importance of Trees

 Say hello to my tree:

Trees add beauty to our world.

In using my voice I find the need to speak up about things that are often heavy on my heart. There are so many things from the way people treat each other to how they treat our world and earth. In the past I have mentioned trees and the important role they play in global warming. If I were a rich girl I would spend a portion of my money on planting trees around the world. But even one tree planted can make a difference, Reading just recently the magazine from American Forest, it shared how the city of Phoenix is the first city in the US to dedicate their community to Tree Equity by 2030 by planting avenues of trees throughout the city. Phoenix temperatures are predicted to rise an average of 11 degrees hotter by the end of this century. By planting trees they can improve the air quality and stormwater runoff, both of which can make a difference to their community. Planting the trees in corridors will give it's residence cooler places to walk. Trees help lower the temperature and also clean the air. Now why is it we are not planting more trees in all our cities. Phoenix is leading the way, let's encourage our cities to follow.

 

They provide shelter and sustenance for critters. 

 

On a recent walk in my neighborhood.

This street is two blocks from my house and is considered an arboretum. Many of the trees have plaques that tell us what kind of tree it is. When I walk or drive here just seeing the trees makes my heart sing.

 

I am beginning and ending with pictures of my witch hazel tree.

I love this tree.

Not too long ago I had it moved to my daughters home. I knew she would love it too.

Even her neighbors noticed this special little tree.

 

Do trees sing to your heart?

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Go out and notice the trees around you. What do you see? Is there a tree unique to your area?

One more thought:

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."

― Nelson Henderson
 

Portland Japanese Garden and Art

Most often I share the Lan Su Chinese Garden with you because I have a membership at that garden and love to visit for tea and a quiet walk. It is easy for me to get there and find parking. But once a year they offer a reciprocal free visit to the Portland Japanese Garden and this year it was in November. So recently my "live-in gardener" and I decided to visit on a weekday early morning. We thought it wouldn't be busy, but was I ever wrong. There must have been a hundred photographers out to photograph a cool, fall morning in the garden. It was the perfect autumn morning for just that, taking pictures!

We were greeted by the beautiful ceramic piece in the first picture and I said "I don't remember that in the garden". Well we were soon to learn that Jun Kaneko's art pieces were on show. What a perfect fit in the garden. I loved them all. The exhibit was Garden of Resonance, sculptures to blend into the garden with different, mesmerizing ceramic shapes. The one that greeted me just felt like it belonged there permanently. It was described as simulating Delphware, allowing the blue to run down that structure like a garment woven of water.

On this second structure he experimented with a technique he learned in the Netherlands, where the colors were allowed to run. This is a Dango with Kanedo's signature dots.

But what the photographer's were here to take a picture of was this tree. The sign said, "The Tree" and they were lined up to snap away. Now I did not line up, but took this one snap from the side. Yes, it was beautiful, but to tell you the truth I thought many of the trees were beautiful that day.

The light was magnificent.

Even the view through the teahouse window was stunning.

There were people everywhere snapping pictures.

A glimpse inside of more ceramic art by Jun Kaneko.

To learn more about Jun Kanedo and see his versatility in art go to: https://www.junkaneko.com/

The Japanese Garden in itself is a "work of art". It was originally founded 60 years ago to connect cultures and nurture the role art plays in a garden. I do believe they have achieved that quite beautifully.

 Hoping you have opportunity to be outdoors and enjoy a beautiful autumn day wherever you live.

Happy Weekend, dear friends!

Bundle up and go outdoors.

Green!

 

Even as a young girl I was a lover of nature. I would rather be outside than indoors any day of the year. With each growing thing I find outdoors I fall more in love. After reading Forest Bathing a year ago I have fallen more in love each day with the color green, both in nature and in my home. In the spring time I am particularly drawn to green surrounding me. It amazes me to see so many different shades of one color. Even on my watercolor palette I find I have more green than any other color. It soothes my soul and makes me feel peaceful and just plain smile.

 

Yesterday as I walked through my favorite antique mall I noticed green. Oh, I want that chair. Did I say I love chairs too. For someone supposedly "down-sizing" it is still a temptation.

Spring Green

Rumbling in my head

You delight me with such joy

Green grows before me

m.miller

There were many plants in the antique mall too,

a celebration of springtime.

The Enkindled Spring 

By D.H. Lawrence  

This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green, 
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes, 
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between 
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes. 

I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration 
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze 
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration, 
Faces of people streaming across my gaze. 

And I, what fountain of fire am I among 
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed 
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng 
Of flames, a shadow that's gone astray, and is lost.

 

Have you noticed the shimmer of yellow green as the trees once again come alive with new growth? It just takes my breath away and I have to stop and notice the glory of springtime. 

 Happy weekend, dear friends!

Notice what you notice!

Word for 2021

I give you my gift of my words.

Please receive it with love.

Notice the sorrows of the past year,

Then release them,

Let them fly away, wave goodbye.

A new day is coming.

Move forward with Hope.

Walk with the light.

A brighter day will soon arrive.

Receive it with JOY

Peace will be with you,

Peace will delight you,

And Peace must dance in your heart.

Happy New Year to you, dear ones.

~m. miller

As I move into the new year a word will come with me.

Receive

Quote from Simple Abundance: "We trade a life that we have tried to control, and we receive in return something better - a life that is manageable." ~Melanie Beattie 

Receive is a gift from a friend and one worth noticing for 2021.

I also intend to notice trees.

A simple thing, I know, but one that will give a healthy way for the world to heal.

Let's plant trees.

Let's treasure trees.

And let's receive what they have to offer each of us.

Happy New Year, dear friends!