Friday, February 20, 2015

Skeletal Beauty

Thought for the day:  I prefer fall and winter, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape--- the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show. [Andrew Wyeth]

[morguefile]
A few years ago, I used that same thought for the day, and followed it with a post about winter, in which I said, "While I do appreciate the imagery of Wyeth's words, I don't think winter will ever be my favorite time of year. Yeah, sure, the landscape's bone structure does possess a certain stark beauty, I suppose. I'll give him that. Then again, some people probably consider a skeleton to be a thing of beauty, too. As for me?  I've always preferred a bit of meat on my bones.

When I look at the barren trees, stripped naked, and stretching their lonely branches against a leaden sky, I long to see them covered with leaves again. I miss the bazillion birds who flitted on every branch of every tree in our yard last summer, and I miss their cacophonous symphonies.

Yup, I guess I'm more inclined to second Robert Byrne's sentiments, who so eloquently opined, Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours."

*****

Whattaya know? I've kinda changed my mind since then. Lately, I've been deeply touched and uplifted by the beauty of the barren trees around me. Yeah, beauty. I mean it... if the whole world were an art gallerythey're like Mother Nature's sculptural designs. Without leaves, their forms are so much more evocative against the sky.

What a severe yet master artist old Winter is. No longer the canvas and the pigments, but the marble and the chisel.  [John Burroughs]

[morguefile]

Just look at the massive gnarled branches of this old tree. It reminds me of a marvelous many-armed monster sprung from the pages of a Stephen King book.

In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous. [Aristotle]


I recently took a leisurely stroll through town to admire the majestic trees and beautiful homes. Isn't this one a beauty?

Trees adapt to their environment in amazing ways, don't they? Even when most of their branches are amputated to accommodate telephone and power lines, what's left of their misshapen bodies somehow manages to keep on growing. When struck by lightning or felled by a chain saw, new growth miraculously springs from the remaining stump. Even when erosion exposes most of their roots,  they defy gravity, and stubbornly cling to life on deteriorating hillsides, cliff tops, and beside rivers. Each year, autumn strips them of their leaves, and winter's harsh winds and weather assail them, but they continue to stand tall. They withstand the ravages of time, weather, and man... and burst into joyful bloom all over again in the spring.

Of winter's lifeless world, each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.  [Charles G. Stater]

Heck, if you think about it, trees are... heroes. They persevere, serving as visual symbols of strength and hope. And, hey! Not only do they LOOK good, but they're also very helpful...

[seniorark]


Like if you get lost in the woods, they're only too happy to point you in the right direction.



[seniorark]







I understand trees can also be extremely helpful if you can't quite remember what number follows three...

(You'd be surprised how many perfect numbers and letters you can find in the branches of a tree.)



Okay, I know some of you still don't see beauty in the dreary shades of Febru-weary, and you're more than ready to see the world decked out in her colorful spring finery again. Wanta know how to make it get here faster?

To shorten winter, borrow some money due in spring. [W.J. Vogel] 

Relax. It'll be spring before ya know it, even if you don't borrow any money.  The early buds on the trees... and the flowers... say so!

Like the daffodils. They're in full bloom all over the place here. Here's one I spotted while walking through town. Others are pushing through the soil nearby, and I expect this brave warrior (the point man) will be joined by the rest of his forces within the next couple of days. In the meantime, this one defiant daffodil is providing a single splash of sunshine in the otherwise drab landscape, kinda like a sweet kiss on the cheek from spring.





[seniorark]


And soon, all of nature... including the now-bare trees...  will be dancing the ballet that is spring.

Every winter,
When the great sun has turned his face away,
And earth goes down into a vale of grief,
And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables,
Leaving her wedding-garland to decay--
Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses.
[Charles Kingsley]


[morguefile]


Rejoice. Even in the midst of winter, there is still plenty of beauty... and hope... to be found.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful flower of all. [Walt Disney Productions]

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all.

P.S. Want a little something to perk up your winter? How about a FREE book? Not long ago, I told y'all about T.B. Markinson's latest book, Claudia Must Die, and quite a few of you expressed interest in reading it. Now, for the next few days, (the 20th to the 23rd) that same book's e-version will be available for FREE through Amazon. In the U.S. you can get it here, and in the UK, snag it here

Huh? You can't remember what the book's about? Okay, fair enough. Here's the blurb:

Claudia doesn’t feel like herself anymore—she feels like prey. Her husband’s hired goons have stalked her all the way to Boston and will only stop their pursuit once she is dead.

Divorce is not an option. Instead, she has stolen a bunch of her man’s money to disappear into another life.

In order for Claudia to live, someone else must die. A lookalike college student becomes the target capable of freeing her from an awful marriage.

The plan goes horribly awry. Instead of murdering Claudia’s double, the assassins shoot the woman’s lover who is the cousin of a powerful Irish mobster. Claudia becomes hunted by all involved. Can she survive? Should she? 

****

Sound good...? It IS. (And pssssst... it's free!)


                               Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.





86 comments:

  1. Withered trees have always been a fascination to me. I don't remember how many pictures of them I have collected. I first saw them real when I moved abroad. We never had them in the Philippines though we have trees striken by a lightning. They don't look the same coz the lightning cuts branches off.

    I like that trees that point direction, was that a dirty finger? :) The #4 tree's offering a seat in case you get tired of hiking/walking. The dancing tree looks amazing.

    I've written about my blog problem and I've read that it happens to others too and that they said it's blogger's flaws. I don't know exactly what I 'd do with it. I hope it's just temporary but if it prolobgs, I 'll change my blog adress. I'll still follow you if I change.

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    1. I'm glad to hear you're fascinated by the beauty of bare trees, too.

      Yeah, you're right; that "four" would make a nifty place to sit and rest a spell.

      Good luck with that blogger problem! Let's hope it's short-lived.

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  2. I love trees, I love watching them , for me.. they are like lovely pictures. Those quotes are awesome Susan , your post is just wonderful :)

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. We tree-lovers have gotta stick together... and maybe "branch out" a little...

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  3. I grew up in Southern California so winter didn't exist. It took me some time to see the beauty in it. At first I thought everything just looked dead. Now I appreciate it.

    Thanks so much for helping with the Claudia Must Die sale!

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    1. I grew up in Maryland, where TOO much winter existed. It's much easier to appreciate the wonders of the season while living in the sunny south. (Although it WAS thirteen degrees here yesterday morning! BRRRR!)

      My pleasure.

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  4. Like TBM, I grew up in Southern California and was a weather virgin until I got my first taste of a midwest winter. It gave my outlook a whole new perspective. Winter is wonderful but I prefer not to participate. I'd rather watch on the sidelines, preferably through a window.

    As for trees - - I'm obsessed with them, now that I'm in the mountain wilderness of Tennessee. After living (existing) in west Texas, I almost forgot what they looked like. In any season, they're inspiring.

    By the way, it's presently MINUS 10 degrees tonight as I'm writing this.
    If things don't thaw out by July I'll be moving back to Texas.
    (*smile*)

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    1. Yeah, I know what you mean about "not participating." Cold enough to get rosy cheeks is enjoyable, but cold enough to freeze the hairs in your nose as soon as you walk outside is an entirely different matter. MINUS ten is a tad (no, a LOT) too cold for me. It was thirteen here yesterday morning, and that was more than cold enough.

      Enjoy watching winter through those windows; before you know it, you'll have a front row seat to seeing spring unfold. (Yeah, right. Ain't no way you're going back to Texas, cowboy...)

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  5. A lovely post, as always, my dear. I like winter in Florida, though right now it's 29 degrees. I know we have it good compared to a lot of people, but our houses aren't insulated well enough for chilly weather. God bless you.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thank you, my dear. Yeah, I hear it's been pretty nippy down your way, too. The past couple days, it's been colder HERE than it's been in Anchorage! That's just messed up...

      God bless you, too. (Did you sneeze...? Must be that unexpected cold snap.)

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  6. I have always adored trees in all their beauty but in my mind nothing can beat the beauty of spring and summer when everything is green and blooming and smells so divine.

    I'm counting the days.

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    1. I'll bet you ARE counting the days. (It's easy for me to be cavalier about cold weather, considering I live in a place that rarely has any!)

      Happy weekend!

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  7. Beautiful post, Susan. Stunning photographs. I'm with you on winter. 8 degrees this morning in the Shenandoah valley. I don't move very well through this kind of cold. Spring temps can come anytime!

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    1. Thanks, Ann. Single digit temperatures are way too cold for me. It was thirteen here yesterday morning... colder than it was in Anchorage, Alaska! Yeah, spring can come on in now. We're about done with winter.

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  8. I can admit there is beauty in a stark winter landscape but I still think any sky looks better through the lace of a summer tree top.

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    1. Where you live, I imagine a stark winter landscape loses its charm when it overstays its welcome. I hope you get that leafy tree top real soon.

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  9. I prefer them dressed, but you have found some interesting bones. Love the ballet tree.

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    1. That ballet tree is one of my favorites, too. It looks so happy. (Yeah, I know, a little corny, but true!)

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  10. There is some beauty to it I guess. But no way hosa will the at ever like the cold and the mountains of snow.

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    1. No, I'm not a fan of extreme cold and mountains of snow, either. Just a rosy-cheek kinda cold, and an occasional flake or two.

      Delete
  11. I love trees in any season. They always seem so ... patient. I envy them that.

    Thanks for the heads-up about Claudia Must Die. Just grabbed it for my Kindle. It sounds intriguing. :)

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    1. Hmmm, I never really thought of trees as being patient. Then again, I guess they don't have much choice.

      Super! I hope you enjoy it.

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  12. P.s. And thanks for the freebie shoutout. I love murder mysteries. This one sounds GOOD.

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    1. You're welcome! I hope you curl up under a warm blanket and enjoy it.

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  13. I adore any tree but you have found a great selection of them for today's post.
    Wonderful quotes.
    I remember the book. I don't have a Kindle must check one out.
    Because of my health problems reading has been impossible. Retention is thrown out the window. Hope it flies back soon.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I hope it flies back soon, too. Not being able to read would be a real bummer.

      Cheers back atcha.

      Delete
  14. a very pensive post. I enjoy the seasons and the surprises from trees and nature. Growing up in PA, I've always been a fall and winter person. Texas leans more toward hot or hotter - green or brown. Great photos and quotes. Though I do feel sorry for the far Northeast getting battered by SO much snow.

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    1. I feel sorry for all those folks buried under mountains of ice and snow, too... with more coming yet! OY! It's been colder than usual here the past couple days, and we're under a winter storm watch right now. (Which means we may see a few flakes.) But even if we do get a little winter precipitation, it won't hang around for long. (My kinda winter!)

      Happy weekend!

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  15. Personally, fall is my favorite season, and I love winter (when it snows). Those photos you included are beautiful!

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    1. The older I get, the more I've learned to appreciate all of the seasons. I guess it's partly because I'm grateful to still be here to enjoy them. We don't get much in the way of snow here, but when we lived in Maryland, the first snowfall always felt kinda magical to me. (Months and months of it, not so much. HA!)

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  16. A lovely and calming post, Susan. Just the thing for me to relax with 1/2 hr. before a medical appointment. Thanks. I'm always impressed by by how randomly statuesque the old trees are. New trees are vigorous but not so various as they were back when trees were made only out of wood.

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    1. Thanks, dude. I'm glad the post lulled you. With any luck, you can sleep through the doctor's visit.

      HA! Yeah, those plastic and aluminum trees aren't nearly as impressive.

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  17. Trees, in all season are my favorite thing in nature. Love them. Spooky, autumn, summer-full, or spring buds. Love them all.

    Happy Weekend.

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    1. Loving nature all year round is part of the reason you're the "happy" whisk.

      Happy weekend to you, too!

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  18. Great photos. I spent six years living in Southern California and discovered without winter you truly can't enjoy spring.

    But if you miss having a ton of birds in your yard in the winter, hang a few feeders and keep them filled. Believe me, you'll have all the feathered friend you can handle.

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    1. Yeah, I think that must be true. People who live in an "eternal spring" won't have as much appreciation for it as those who have to suffer through a long winter before reaping its rewards.

      Oh, we still have plenty birds. I exaggerated a teensy bit. (Who... MOI???)

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  19. You find the best views ever! :-) Your "ballerina" made me smile. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Always happy to provide you with a smile or two. :)

      Greetings back atcha.

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  20. This post resonated with me because I find winter to be the most scenic and beautiful time of year, by far :)

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    1. I still don't think of winter as the most beautiful season, but it certainly has its moments. As dangerous as an ice storm can be, everything look enchanted when the sun reflects from the ice-laden trees.

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  21. I particularly like the gesture and the dancing woman. Two different approaches to life? :)

    While I appreciate all the seasons, winter is my favorite—no doubt because I grew up without one. And I've always loved trees, with or without green. They like me, too, and inevitably work their way into my headers.

    On a totally unrelated topic, is that last picture taken up near Dominick's? That street looks SO familiar, and my memory is usually pretty good when it comes to food.

    VR Barkowski

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    1. Yeah, I guess those two trees do kinda look like opposing approaches to life. :)

      All I can say is it's a good thing you like winter, because you're sure getting a boatload of it this year!

      Wow, good eye! That's exactly where that last picture was taken. Less than a mile from our house.

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    2. So, every time I was sitting there eating my chicken carbonara you were less than a mile away? Six degrees of separation, indeed.

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    3. Yeah, I know, doggone it! Talk about missed opportunities. The NEXT time you live in Georgia..

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  22. I don't think that anyone can fully appreciate the magnificence of spring unless they go through winter.

    Yesterday, we planned to take some visitors we have to the Brandywine museum which is on Wyeth's property and houses many of the family's artwork (N.C., Andrew, and Jamie). Unfortunately, it was too cold to put even our noses out the door so we have postponed it to a warmer time. Besides, we have had enough of winter here and viewing paintings that show skeletal trees and tones of brown would not help our moods. I do, though like their art, maybe more so because they painted the landscape of our county.

    The trees in your post though, made me smile. I needed that.

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    1. You're absolutely right. Spring is all that much more glorious when it follows a real winter. Kinda like life, I guess. Without the bad stuff that happens, maybe we wouldn't have such a keen appreciation for the good.

      Yeah, if you're already on overload with the winter scenery, you might rather go see some artwork with a lot of color. (Are the Wyeth works organized by season? That's be kinda cool.)

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  23. I know all about cold and winter...and I like it and the snow for about six weeks. There's something to be said for that time when spring just explodes all over nature...we don't get that here in Florida.

    Before we had the current cold snap, my son texted me from Buffalo: Do you know the temperature difference between you and me is 91º? I just stuck my tongue out at him, digitally.

    Free book? Well, yes! My iPad is getting heavier and heavier...no, wait. It isn't. :-)

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    1. I like snow for maybe a long weekend...or a week, tops. I've got too many memories of months on end of snowfall and shoveling, and then the seemingly endless period of the dreaded gray slush. YUK! So bottom line, I wouldn't mind visiting someplace with snow, but I don't relish the thought of ever being snowed in the house for a lengthy period again.

      HA! That was harsh! Ninety-one degrees difference... that's just nuts. What else is nuts is it's been colder here and even in some parts of Florida recently than it's been in Alaska!

      HA! I hope you enjoy the book. :)

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  24. We in Western Australia don't have very distinct differences between the season. In summer it gets very hot and in winter somewhat cooler. We have very few deciduous trees so most trees without leaves are either dead or have been ravaged by bush fires.
    I have a great love of trees both small and large and I do find those large trees without leaves quite majestic. To quote the old song "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree" or in more modern terms "I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree". I will leave you with that thought and thank you for sharing so many beautiful trees with us, both bare and with leaves.

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  25. Yeah, I guess you don't really have much in the way of cold weather there at all. That'd be kinda nice, but I sure hope summer treats you a lot more kindly this year.

    I agree about never seeing a poem as lovely as a tree, but I can do without the billboards. :)

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  26. I love seeing the bare branches in winter, silhouetted against our bright blue skies, or shadowed against stormy clouds, they're stunning either way.

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    1. Yeah, they are stunning. (Hmmm, I wonder if my change of heart about the beauty of bare trees is in any way related to my new conviction that wrinkles, bags, and an extra layer of fat are actually quite attractive...)

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  27. My favorite times of the year has changed over time. Up to my thirties it was spring and summer, but now I appreciate autumn more now for its relaxed nature.

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    1. I know what you mean. I used to like spring and summer the best, but I can't tolerate the heat like I used to.

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  28. I do love seeing the skeletal beauty of trees, and I especially love the look of them encased in ice.

    But enough is enough ...

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    1. HA! LOTS of people are saying uncle about now. When it comes to snow and ice, there's such a thing as too much of a good thing.

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  29. I do see the beauty in Winter, I just wish it didn't last so long here... right now I am looking so forward to being able to walk outside of my house without a coat where I can go for a walk/jog and not have to deal with ice and massive snow banks...

    The trees are lovely and I am always in awe of how much they persevere through the rough cold Winters only to emerge in the Spring with their beautiful leaves that will shade me n the Summer...

    I hope all is going well with you Susan... have a lovely rest of the weekend xox

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    1. I see your point. Here, cold weather doesn't usually hang around for very long. Months and months of frigid temperatures and wintry precipitation get old real quick. Pretty soon, you'll be taking a walk, and you'll spot a blooming crocus, even if it has to pop its head up above the snow.

      All is well here, Launna. I hope all is well with you, too. Take care.

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  30. I love those trees. Trees are beautiful and inspiring whatever time of year. I do particularly love their skeletal winter look.

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    1. I agree. Trees display a different kind of beauty throughout each season of the year.

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  31. We don't have a real winter in Florida, but I do come across dead trees. They are striking.

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    1. Even parts of Florida had some cold temperatures recently. (But two or three days every couple years or so doesn't really qualify as a real winter, does it?)

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  32. In our younger days, my friends and I would pack a flask of tea and go and sit in the woods for ages. We'd spread a blanket on the ground, lie down and just stare at the trees, whispering quietly among ourselves. Many dreams were realized and plans made amid the beauty of various trees.

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    1. Gotcha! It would appear my favorite bad-ass snarky chick is actually a sweet dreamer and poet at heart. Love it! ( That's truly a beautiful memory.)

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  33. I loved all these photos...very beautiful.

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  34. Well you thought one of those trees was pointing you in the right direction. I thought it was re-quoting Byrne. hahahah

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  35. >>... To shorten winter, borrow some money due in spring. [W.J. Vogel]

    Ha! Yep, that'll do it, SUSKI. Pretty funny.

    IF YOU GOT IT, FLAUNT IT

    TOM WAITS FOR NO TREE

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. By the time I figured out I mighta "had it," it was already gone.

      Tom needs to be more patient.

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  36. Well, I'm still not a fan of winter (might just be that we got over a foot and a half of snow dumped on us), but I do love trees, and their resilience. Growing up, my parents had an apple tree in our yard. The squirrels massacred that thing. We eventually had to cut all of its dying limbs off. And still, this now five foot tall tree with just a few stumps for arms stands as strong as ever. It's incredible, really.

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    1. Yeah, a foot and a half of snow does have a way of knocking the thrill outta the season.

      Yes, that apple tree is a perfect example of why I love trees so much. Resilient buggers, aren't they?

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  37. I need more winter clothes if we're going to continue have winter like last year and this year. South Texas isn't used to this. I love, love, love the picture of the dancing tree!

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    1. I know what you mean. Winter doesn't usually spend much time in your neck of the woods. Might be time to get a (shudder) winter coat.

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  38. I do love the beauty of the tree skeletons in the winter, but I love them so much more the other three seasons of the year. I don't think that will ever change for me. Great post!

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    1. I guess I'm getting old and wishy-washy, because I don't know if I could pick a favorite season any more. I'm like a kid with a new toy... "Oh, I like THIS one best!" and then I get another toy.. "No, THIS one..! Okay, maybe I'm just fickle...

      Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

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  39. We can learn so much from these resilient trees. This makes me want to spend more time working on my core strengthening exercises. Most of our strength comes from our trunks, as evidenced by these photos. Without proper care, our bones could snap like twigs. Keep taking those walks around town to stay healthy, and continue to inspire us, Susan!

    Julie

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    1. Nifty insights, lady. You're right about developing our core strengths. It's a great idea; it remains to be seen as to whether we'll follow through on it. A leisurely walk is more my "thing" these days.

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  40. Fall is my favorite time of year and I love winter as long as I don't get stuck driving in snow. I love the quiet of winter, especially the mornings. I love Wyeth's quote, perfect.

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    1. I agree about the quiet, especially when the ground is covered in snow. It's like the hushed world goes into a suspended animation for a while. It's both surreal and beautiful. (And you're getting a LOT of that beautiful this year!)

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  41. Winter has been super weird this year. Warmest I have ever known living in Utah. Nods are already on the trees three months sooner than usual! :)

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    1. Yeah, it has been super weird. Little snow in the northwest. LOTS of snow in the northeast, and there were a couple days it was colder here in Atlanta and in some parts of Florida than it was in Alaska! Definitely weird!

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  42. Great pictures. Thanks for link to book, just downloaded.

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    1. I'm glad you liked the pics. I think you'll like the book, too!

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  43. I love trees, all kinds, every kind, and I'm always snapping pictures of them. Great pictures! I feel the same about rocks, but I don't take their pictures, I collect them. I have a yard full of them, even 4 that I carried all the way from Washington State! They saw real dinosaurs, I'm so envious! :)

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    1. Hey, we have even more in common than I thought. My hubby and I have a ridiculous amount of rocks, all separated and categorized in see-through plastic boxes. Can't say that we've ever lugged any home from Washington, though. (Only 'cause we've never BEEN there!)

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