My ancestors came from the woods; I’m sure of this. Could it be what Carl Jung called the “collective unconscious,” where my body and mind and soul was born ‘knowing’ the experiences of billions of people who lived in the woods of the Northern Hemisphere before me?
I grew up with trees and my favorite memories involve trees – making outlines of houses with oak leaves we raked at Grandma’s cottage on Portage Lake, swinging for hours in the swing under the sprawling oak tree at her home in the city, watching our children collect and chop fallen birch branches for a campfire in the state forest near Harrison Michigan.
I am most drawn to deciduous trees. I have been with a lover in the cool shade of a large, dense green canopy, then marveled when these same leaves loose their green to brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange. I have a lifetime of smiles from showers of falling leaves, while rustling through layers of leaves on my path. I have admired the strong, unique skeletal outlines of winter trees, standing firm against raging winds or gently catching falling snow.
My most exciting moments have been in Spring, when the trees that appear dead burst forth in brilliant shades of golden green and blossoms of white and pink.
Springing Up the Mountain
This is my interpretation of Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Trees. I couldn’t resist.
What wonderful memories…I always think of Longfellow’s Evangeline when I enter the forest…those lines “This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,…”
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How beautiful. It reminds me of a forest I visited in southern Ireland where I knew the fairies resided. It was a rain forest with all the trees bearded with moss. I think I must have some connection with Robin Hood. 🙂
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Oh, but so lovely – what a lovely, lovely post.
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Thank you, David. I was in a lovely frame of mind as I wrote it.
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Lovely post! And I like your new header photo, too!
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Such a beautiful capture of these tress! Love how you place the tree in white color in the center.
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Lovely memories. I enjoyed your meditation as much as your photograph. Beautiful trees, so delightfully numinous.
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It is really nice to be back among all our Michigan deciduous trees. Thanks for your comment, Jamie.
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Thanks for your follow Pat. I am so happy to have found you. Kayti
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I think we will find a lot of enjoyment together.
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That picture represents quintessential Appalachian springtime! I live West of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the uncounted shades of green in spring are just gorgeous.
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You live in a very beautiful part of our country. I would love to do that region in late May, early June. We travel it mid April which perfect for the emerging greens but not the Azaleas.
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Dolly Sods in nearby W. Virginia has a large amount of wild azaleas which are absolutely breathtaking. But I am not sure which month they are in bloom.
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Thanks, maybe I can find out info from the W. Virginia website.
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