tree quote #10

"If you are thinking a year ahead, sow a seed. If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree. If you are thinking one hundred years ahead, educate the people."
Chinese Poet, 500 BC

tree story #139

Trees

Proud and strong they stand
with roots spreading across the land
reaching for the sky they are
to be viewed like beacons from afar
yearning for the suns caress
to shine upon their wooden dress
longing for the winds embrace
to bring out their ancient grace
proud and strong they stand
but will they survive the greed of man?

Magnus Holmgren

tree story #138

Wild and Cultivated

When she was little she used to draw trees. It was natural. The earth was a healing ground for finding her core of peace and inside this core the voice of God. Through the years her tree drawings would come and go, become modern and jagged branches or watercolored maps of the woods. It was natural. The imagery of the tree always drew her inward again and then outward to feel the simple joy of nature and the gifts of life so evident in the colors and textures of the many trees found in the forest, local parks, and the hills of California.

Trees, wild or cultivated, ancient or sweet seedlings in a row, spoke to her and, when she couldn’t laugh at home, the trees would help her find that personal sense of freedom again. Life is packed with challenges and pain along with indescribable joy and walking a path lined with trees or touching fingertips to bark or gazing at the amazing patterns in leaves was a way to find that joy again when it was lost in the hardships. Trees hold fast, stand tall, and offer protection from the burn of a hammering sun. Trees reach up and out while staying rooted like sentinels. They remind her of the strength to be found deep inside even when weakness wants to rule. They remind her of the need for balance in being strong but also receptive, keeping arms wide to the higher power like the tree welcomes the sky in order to survive.

When she grew old she would draw trees now and then between carrying a camera out for a daily walk of capturing images of another tree or field or wild flower dancing in the wind. She grew old with trees as her friend and forever thinks of trees as inspiration and a gift from God that keeps her sane when the world seems not. Trees forever reach until the end and so she goes on, reaching, lifting face and heart to heaven in surety that she is rooted deeply as a loved child loving the magic of God’s creation … even when the clouds darken and rain comes she can sense the Son rising in her heart to nurture her with everlasting life.

Susan Raines

This truly touches me - many blessings, Susan!

quercus woodland #7

quercus woodland #6

Currently on the studio wall, headed to "For the Love of Trees," April 2008 Artisan Galley in Sacramento, CA.

tree story #137

To tell this tree's story, comment below or email me -

tree story #136

To tell this tree story, comment below or email meee.... ;)