I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree...

"The LORD will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life;"

Psalm 121:7

June 1, 2013

Dear Readers,

It's breakfast time!  Had some great smoothies compliments of Jack in the Box, the doggies have full tummys, and the little birds are cheeping waiting for Mama and Daddy Cardinal to feed them.  Despite the prediction for strong storms this afternoon, it's gonna be a great day!

Yesterday my bones felt well enough (thanks to Diclofenac) to work in the back yard gardens.  My neighbor, Don, had graciously gone to Lowe's in Waco to pick up some of their mulch that was a dollar and some cents a bag.  (Best mulch ever!!)  I started in the back and worked my way to the front gardens, pulling weeds, deadheading, and mulching around new plants.  I got to the front gardens closest to the house, finished up mulching and sweeping and decided to go in and take a bath before finishing the cleaning of the patio area.

I took a quick bath and headed back out.  Something was different.  OMG, a HUGE branch had fallen off the big tree in the backyard exactly where I had been working for the better part of an hour.  Had I not gone in to take a bath, I could have been crushed.  As my daughter, Jane, said, "Better a crushed bird bath than you!"  I ran in the house screaming for Michael.  His face drained when he saw the branch.  "That's where you were working."  Funny part was that it was a branch that was full of leaves -- it didn't look dead at all.

The big old tree in the backyard was planted by Dad Seidler, 50+ years ago.  He planted it because it was a fast grower -- a Siberian Elm -- not a desirable tree in today's standards.  We've put up with it's negative habits (it's roots have gotten into the underground pipes, cracked the patio cement, and branches have randomly fallen after storms) appreciating lots of dappled shade and ambiance!  About an hour before the limb fell, Michael and I were remarking about how good the tree looked this year despite the many dead limbs.  Little did we know...

Life is like that ~~ just when we think everything is going great and looking rosy, the bottom falls out.  We shake our heads, "Where did that come from?!"  When I finished working in the lower gardens next to the house, I smiled thinking everything looked so pretty.  I stared up into the heavens through the leafy roof above me, wiped my brow, and decided to head indoors...  Between you and me, that was totally unlike me.  The usual me would have continued to work outside until the patio area was finished and the fountain cleaned.  At any rate, I am thanking God for moving me indoors and for minimizing the damage created.

I hear Don out in the backyard (as I type) with his chain saw.  I keep thinking ... "What would I do without my wonderful neighbors, Beverly and Don who take such good care of me."  Blessings abound!!!!!

Next week, we will need to consult with the arborist once again.  Some months ago we had a local tree trimmer try to tackle the dead branches.  He almost fell out of the tree and managed to drop a huge limb on the top of the patio cover.  Michael (as nicely as he could) asked him to vacate the premises.  At that time the arborist wanted between $1,500-$2,500 to deal with the tree.  Ouch!  I think we may need to set up a "help the tree" fund in order to keep our beautiful dappled shade and ambiance!!  In the meantime, I am praying ... "Lord keep that tree intact, and me and the doggies safe when we are outside under it!!!"

It's time to get busy and give the cottage a thorough cleaning.  I have a dead plant in the corner that needs to go OUT!!  And, I need to do more puppy proofing with some bitter apple on the corners that Zeke finds tasty!

You take care now and enjoy the weekend.  Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... yep, you are!!

Miss Dottie

PS  Whenever I think about trees, I think about the poem, Trees, written by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918).  Enjoy!!

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain,

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.