#ThursdayTreeLove | Unbothered

“Oak Feet”

The campus trees and I have been reunited! I returned to work August 3 [technically], but it had been too hot to visit them. Yesterday was less oppressive, so I was happy to get outdoors when a colleague needed a favor.  While I was walking back to my office, I noticed how beautifully the oak near my building had spread.

“The Spreading Oak” [iPhone photo]

I had to get back to my office to complete a task before leaving for the day, so I quickly snapped the shot above with my phone and promised to return.

I made good on my promise today.

I worked diligently all morning. It was afternoon before I knew it, so I took a five-minute break to clear my head and energize before tackling another task on the ‘must do today” list. Of course, I headed to the trees.

“Intricate Pattern”

Oh, how I missed them the last five+ months! I didn’t have much time, so I walked the circle of trees nearest my building. I stood still for a moment to take in the scene–from the patterns in tree trunks (above) to the tiny magnolia [?] that took root in the foot of another tree (below).

“Magnolia Rooted”

Then, I turned my attention to the oak. I was simply mesmerized by its majesty and by how much it had thrived in the absence of an abundance of human activity. In fact, all the trees seemed unbothered by pandemics and human foibles.

“Hello, Beautiful”

I was reminded of a reading from Melodie Beattie’s Journey to the Heart. In the passage, she refers to the redwoods of California, but I will take the liberty and ascribe her words to “my” trees:

“A Fragment of the Majestic”

For hundreds of years they have been here, patiently seeing things through. Little ruffled them. They just kept on growing for all those years—steadily, patiently, peacefully, calmly. They have been through enough, seen enough, to know not to worry. Things work out. Change happens. Life continues to evolve.

I didn’t see one tree hurrying or worrying. They have been here long enough to learn life’s lessons well.  –Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul

“Strong Arms”

My first campus walk since March–a deep, cleansing breath.

I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.

21 thoughts on “#ThursdayTreeLove | Unbothered”

  3. revruss1220 says:
    Reply

    “They have been through enough, seen enough, to know not to worry. Things work out.” I really needed this reminder today. I think we ALL do. Thanks for these beautiful photos and for passing along the wisdom of the trees.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Parul Thakur says:
    Reply

    Loved the pictures and more so the fact that you are back to work. I am so happy for you. I can’t wait to go back to work and love life the way it used to be. These 6+ months have been so different and challenging in its own way. Soon I wish.
    Thanks a ton for joining, Chandra and taking me on a virtual tour of your campus. The Oak is lovely. See you back on the 10th!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Chandra Lynn says:
      Reply

      Yeah. It’s nice to finally leave home. We have lots of social distancing measures in place to keep everyone safe. Today, was tough though–one of those days that I wished we were still working from home.

      Like

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