I couldn’t sleep after 2pm so got up, Marshalled the sleepy Welsh and braved the showers in order to get some air.
We walked into the graveyard and sat on the bench sheltered by the vestry.
There we watched my laburnum.
I said we, when I mean I.
The Welsh just watched the trees in general, they way they whipped in the roar of the wind.
I watched my tree.
It looked bare but robust,
Much bigger than when I planted it with Islwyn back in 2021
This piece of music was playing on my phone a piece by James Newton Howard
Sweet
Happy New Year I thought hopefully
Then we returned to the cottage and to bed
Or women. That's why I plant trees, for the next generations. It gives me hope.
ReplyDeleteTake care John.
Good point x
DeleteSuch a beautiful and soul stirring piece.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy and Blessed New Year.
Hugs,
Jo
How beautiful. The Asian girl behind the pianist with blonde hair, the orchestra leader a dark skinned man with his native attire,makes me have hope for the future. We are integrating in the most beautiful way with the new world coming and just love. Love of music, love of life, love of talent...the way of the future of the world is love.
ReplyDeleteThere will be future generations who look at that tree and quietly thank the person who planted it. A true legacy for your village. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a book of essays about people who collect trees in various ways and one theme that runs through many of them is that the planter/collector will not see the mature tree. A hopeful thing that we continue to do it!
ReplyDeleteCeci
Here's to 2025 being another year of sturdy growth for your laburnum!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2025! Your tree is growing well and adds greatly to the landscape.
ReplyDeletePlanting trees and watching them grow is a great hobby. It is also good for the environment and community enjoyment.
My newest tree is a Katsura and it is 10 ft. tall. I added a couple Mountain Laurels last Fall as well.
Another beautiful essay.
ReplyDeleteThe conductor dancing with the notes of music....
ReplyDeleteSounds like a peaceful place to rest and relax. Happy New Year, John! xo
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely music and I thank you for including that in your post today, John.
ReplyDeleteAm glad you, Mary, and Roger are watching over your Laburnum tree and that it is flourishing during the growing season. We, too, have planted trees here so the woods are healthier than they used to be. A pastor once said that all over the earth there are millions, billions of sanctuaries of shade.
Hugs!
I remember when you planted that tree. I need to decide a replacement for one of my trees lost to hurricane Helene. I don't know if Laburnum will grow here in Georgia so I will do some research. Take Care
ReplyDeleteI remember your planting that tree. I am glad that you had an opportunity to sit in the wind and admire it.
ReplyDeleteI loved this entry.
ReplyDeleteMost of the trees I'd planted in recent years now belong to someone else. When the property was sold I had hoped the new owner would care of them. How wrong I was!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy New Year which will be interesting -- aren't they all, each in their own way.
ReplyDeleteToronto is known as the city of trees. They are protected here. You even have to have permission to cut down trees over a certain size. So I am surrounded by many huge trees, very nice. In summer I sit and watch the residents of my neighbour’s huge tree, squirrels and birds and sometimes the racoons. Nice you could sit, relax and take in the damp brisk air to help you sleep. Gigi
ReplyDeleteRecently I was google earth touring, past the last house I built for myself in Florida, in about 1984. The spindly trees I planted along the street are not large and shade most of the way across the street. Hang around long enough to watch the trees grow.
ReplyDeleteYour tree sounds as though it's withstanding everything that is being thrown at it. We have had a LOT of weather recently!!
ReplyDelete