The demise of the Grand Old Dame..

It had been raining for three days, heavy, drenching rains that don't retreat. We walked the Hollow and counted all the  ponds and rivers and gullies that had been newly born. The Ducks were filled with absolute joy at all the splashing opportunities and could scarcely temper their mirth in deciding  which body of water to enjoy next.

  

We stepped into the house, removing our rubber boots and yellow rain jackets. 10 minutes later, I glanced out my window and could scarcely believe my eyes, when I saw the Beautiful old Maple tree lying across the creek and

sprawling across the bridge with twigs and branches and moss and buds scattered hither, thither and yon!

   This majestic lady has graced our front drive since before this house was built, over 110 years ago. It is more likely around 200 yrs old. She fell so silently, we didn't even hear her.

 I felt as though I had lost an old friend. That splendid, silent sentinel that welcomed visitors, provided numerous homes for wild creatures and shade during the hot and humid Southern summers. When I went outside to see her, there was a small owl sitting in bewilderment amidst the wreckage. Fortunately, he flew off some minutes later, so he must not have been harmed, ( aside from losing his home!)

 It looks so naked without our dear friend standing there in her glory. Now, she is naught but firewood to warm our neighbors homes next winter.

I am pondering what to do next. I know many woodworkers, perhaps I could have a piece of furniture made..... I don't know.  I think I may have the trunk cut to about 8 ft, set upright again and just leave it here, perhaps I will carve something wonderful into it, plant a garden around it and let it be. This tree must be honored in some small way. I will miss the Grand old Dame.
"Why are there trees I never walk under but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?"
  Walt Whitman, Song of the Open Road


But the rains did leave some wonderful signs of Spring in their wake...

The new Narcissus I planted in the fall,
and the daffodils that naturalize all over our fair state.

 and little blue squill,

and just a few of the 800 iris I planted 2 years ago.

So all is not lost, new plants are born and others regrow.
I am sure the OLD MAPLE has little sprouts all over the Hollow. just waiting to follow in mothers footsteps..

Birth Announcement: Quintuplets!

      The Gazette is pleased to report that the population of Hopalong Hollow  has arisen by five! Yes, we at the Gazette congratulate the proud parents of quintuplets! Born to  Keziah and Pinkie BarnSwallow, and thriving amidst the heat of June, the dear little newlings are growing by the minute! The nursery is located in the southeast corner of the Manor Porch neath the eaves.

    All is aflutter and a tweet, tweet, tweet, as mother, father and nanny, Leona Chippy, care for the babies all throughout the day. When asked to comment on the difficulties involved in the  care and feeding of five wee ones all at once, an exhausted Pinkie BarnSwallow chirped, " WHAT! Are you kidding me??!!", and flew off to find yet another worm.
   The parents do ask that all well wishers wait at least 2 weeks before making calls and visits, which , in this reporters opinion, rather negates the point of a visit, seeing as how the little cheeps will have "flown the coop" by then. 

   Welcome to the world little BarnSwallows! 

And welcome to Hopalong Hollow: Population: 529....give or take a lizard or two.

Into the Woods,the wonder of trees...

     Today we ventured forth into the woods. The trek is not far from our back door and I had a desire to visit the trees. Even in the barren month of March, the woods can entice us with what at first appears a stark beauty, but on closer inspection, beneath the crispy layer of leaves and lush moss, we find a lovely secret  world.

I love moss. Such a variety of shapes and shades of green, so soft to the touch, a lovely little carpet to cushion the feet of the little creatures who surely must dwell in these secret places.

I am sure a little shrew must do his gardening right outside this door

This is a perfect place for a little squirrel to hide from the rain, nap and dream

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When I saw this secret doorway ( which looks like a hand holding the earth) I wondered who lived inside. I removed some leaves to take a peek  and there was a tiny blue lizard! Unfortunately, the photo I took was blurred, I wanted you to see him!  He just sat there and stared at me, as if to say" Tea is not till three, please come back then!"

 This wonderful stump was covered in shades from aqua to lime, how  marvelous it would be in an illustration!

Every where I look, I imagine little blue and red doors, which lead up and down  long twisty stairways and tunnels. Heaven only knows how many families live beneath, within and atop these trees.

You just never know what you will see when you travel the woods and visit with the trees. Perhaps, if you look very closely and use your wonderful imagination...

You will see one of those twisty stairways...

winding up the side of a Tulip tree,

and leading you to a little red door. If you do, please tap lightly on the door, I am sure you will be most welcome.

 We always are!

Autumn....Trees...

 Alas, tis AUTUMN.

 

Autumn- the very word breathes of serenity.

Burnished golden and rust, the leaves float softly downward

to rest upon the earth

They are crisp beneath my footsteps.

With tails at full mast, the bushybottom squirrels frantically 

scramble from limb to limb greedily gathering as many green

acorns as they can stuff.

The acorns have emerged by the thousands from the

Grand Ancient Oak.

I think on how many Autumns this stately tree has witnessed and how many generations of fuzzy little tummies

 his acorns have filled.

Sunlight dapples into the shade garden through the newly barren branches of the Mulberry tree.

The last to don her leaves in the Spring.

The first to lose them in the fall. Now she casts a long silhouetted shadow across the lawn of velvety moss.

 

 My desire for an endless summer fades as I inhale the

bittersweet coolness in the air-

and I am smitten-

and quietly at peace with this change of seasons....

just as the good earth seems to be.