Sunday, March 24, 2013

In honour of trees

 "Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art." 
Leonardo da Vinci 


One couples Juniper Heartwood Rings lovingly crafted
from a pruned branch of this treasured old tree that grows at the 
edge of David's brothers orchard in the Similkameen Valley of BC.

 
In honour of Trees. 
With thanks to their branches. 

Can You Imagine?

For example, what the trees do
not only in lightning storms
or the watery dark of a summer's night
or under the white nets of winter
but now, and now, and now - whenever
we're not looking. Surely you can't imagine
they don't dance, from the root up, wishing
to travel a little, not cramped so much as wanting

a better view, or more sun, or just as avidly
more shade - surely you can't imagine they just
stand there loving every
minute of it, the birds or the emptiness, the dark rings
of the years slowly and without a sound
thickening, and nothing different unless the wind,
and then only in its own mood, comes
to visit, surely you can't imagine
patience, and happiness, like that.
From:  Long Life: Essays and Other Writings, by Mary Oliver
(David's mother introduced me to this writer some time ago; thanks Mum!) 


 Touch Wood Rings.  
 Where the spirit of every branch is honoured.  
Where no tree goes unsung.

 David and I are away from home for a while longer.  We are visiting the orchard where we get much of our lovely fruit wood and the aforementioned juniper heartwood.  Visiting family too of course, as well as our favourite trees. We're also getting some appointments with medical specialists looked after ... that kind of thing. It's spring down here in the Okanagan and Similkameen ~ still blustery and cold some days but the daffodils are above ground and the predominant colours are green and brown instead of white.
Talk to you soon again and as always, thanks for dropping by.