Trees – Page 2 – The Weight of My Days

The color of rain

I woke up at 4 a.m. And listened. What was that sound? I wasn’t sure. I hoped. I got up. And there it was. Rain. Finally. We’ve had less than 4 inches of rain in the last four months; normally we’d have gotten 16 inches. The last real rain, of more than an inch, was … read more The color of rain

The curious woodpecker

I was quietly enjoying my research this morning when a visitor came to my second-floor office window. It was a pileated woodpecker, clinging to the window frame as he peered in. He just sat there, looking at me, and I stared back. He wasn’t pecking, he just looked and looked. At me, at my office, around … read more The curious woodpecker

Where there’s smoke

The Appalachians are on fire. I am on my hands and knees, collecting documents that are irreplaceable before we evacuate. I’m fighting to think straight, control the panic. Acrid smoke has been hanging around our mountain community for days now, chased by strong winds from the wildfires in western North Carolina and northwest Georgia. The Rough Ridge … read more Where there’s smoke

A spooky hike

Yet another day of sunshine and 80+ degrees. I put aside the work I couldn’t finish, and went to do the toughest hike in the community. Fall colors relaxed my eyes as the dry leaves crackled under my feet. But something was strange… The forest was silent. Completely silent. I puzzled over it, then realized that … read more A spooky hike

Endless summer

Every day I get up and it’s the same: sunshine, blue skies, warmth. You’d think I would be delighted with this. It’s perfect weather for hiking, walking, or just sitting on the deck. We don’t have to run the noisy heater. Don’t have to schlep raincoats, or worry about Tom slipping on a wet floor. … read more Endless summer

Here and gone and still here

A couple of weeks ago, I was throwing a load of recycling into the condo community bins, and I was really tired. I sat in the car for a moment after I emptied the load, looking blankly out through the windshield. A point of light on the ground attracted my eye. Something big and white and round. … read more Here and gone and still here

Water and words

[Oct. 25] We had just about an hour to spend in downtown Charlotte. We spent it walking in The Green, a public space smack in the middle of highrises, just an acre and a half but filled with grass and art. A central fountain meant for kids to play in was dry, probably to conserve water during the drought. … read more Water and words

Lemon joy

This butterfly is not rare in Georgia, but I don’t remember ever seeing it before. Seems odd, given that its color is such a bright lemon yellow. This summer was the first time I’d noticed it flitting around. I never got a good look at it because I was always rushing somewhere. Today Tom and I finally … read more Lemon joy

Rabbit tobacco

When I was studying herbs five years ago, I learned that a common weed was used by the Cherokee to treat people who had a particular psychological malady: being haunted by a ghost that caused them to want to run away. I’ve been having that ailment lately. Some days I just want to be somewhere else. … read more Rabbit tobacco

Denim wrap-around

Wonder where your old jeans got to? They might be wrapping my dinner. We’ve been testing out services for delivery of ingredients and meals. A new one, Freshly, offers freshly cooked meals that just need to be warmed up. All their meals are gluten-free, no processed sugars, high protein, low carb. And they do really taste … read more Denim wrap-around