We interrupt “Sunflower Month” with apples! I had one goal in mind when the guys and I headed to Scott’s Orchard earlier this month–to visit the sunflowers a little earlier this year. We went mid-October last year, so many of the sunflowers were seeing their last days. However, when we arrived [just about] two weeks ago, … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | A Sunflower in an Orchard Full of Apples
Don’t you imagine the leaves dream now how comfortable it will be to touch the earth instead of the nothingness of the air and the endless freshets of wind? And don’t you think the trees, especially those with mossy hollows, are beginning to look for the birds that will come–six, a dozen–to sleep inside their … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | Song for Autumn
Since we’re on the subject of postcards from China, I’m sharing another one for today’s #ThursdayTreeLove. This postcard features the work of 17th century Chinese artist, Lan Ying (1585-1684), an artist of the Ming Dynasty. Based on my limited knowledge of his work, his art features impressive landscapes, typically with trees in the foreground. Of … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | The Trees of Lan Ying’s Quiet Village
Today was every bit as intense as I expected. It’s just after 9:30 p.m. in my part of the world, and I just completed my last work task for the day. As I reviewed today’s schedule last night, I knew I had to figure out something for #ThursdayTreeLove. I had the tree, but what about … Continue reading Dream Week | #ThursdayTreeLove and a Musing from My Younger Self
Study nature. Love nature. Stay close to nature. It will never fail you. –Frank Lloyd Wright The Southern Magnolias and I have had quite a bit of quality time this week. I have had to take frequent breaks from my freezing cold office and from sitting. Since our year+ in front of a computer screen, … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | Look Up!
Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric reveals the organization of the entire tapestry. –Richard P. Feynman What do fractals and trees have in common? Well, according to the Reflective Educator: The growth of trees is actually a fairly mathematical process that at least involves fractal … Continue reading Fractals | #ThursdayTreeLove and Repeating Patterns
Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf. –Albert Schweitzer I’ve been looking forward to #ThursdayTreeLove all week. I’d intended to spend time in the company of trees this week, but between too hot … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | Granddaddy’s Beard
For I [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I replenish every languishing and sorrowful person. —Jeremiah 31:25 I spent four days this week working, resting, and resetting in a tiny bit of heaven—between water and trees—at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama. I resisted this work “retreat” because it was…well…more work, and I already … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove (But It’s Friday) | Between Water and Trees
Since today is Thursday, I bring you a bit of tree love for today’s joy break. I’m not usually on campus this time of the year, so I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the transformations of trees I usually only see late summer through early spring. While taking a short walk to escape the computer screen and … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | Golden Flame Tree
A brief encounter with the cherry blossoms was the prayer my soul needed. Praying Mary Oliver It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t … Continue reading #ThursdayTreeLove | The Prayer I Needed
