This is part of the crown of the incredibly majestic oak that lives next door to me. The one I referred to when I told my new neighbor that he had not bought a house, he had bought a tree.
Of course, one cannot really own a tree. At least, not in my opinion. At least not a tree like that which is hundreds of years old and which is so obviously a sentient being of its own. Not only that, but there is an entire ecosystem within its branches. I can't imagine the number of birds and squirrels and insects and plant species and fungi that have made and do make their homes in it.
That was the only picture I took on my walk today which was truly a pretty fine one- four miles today! Admittedly, I did not walk very fast and I also stopped a few times to chat to people. When I walk, my aim is to walk steadily and not mosey, but when people want to say hey, I'm up for that. The first person I talked to was a neighbor whom I really like but probably only talk to maybe once a year. I think she's about as socially anxious as I am but I think she's a fascinating woman and whenever we meet, I thoroughly enjoy it and feel right at home with her. She was out clearing brush with a very handsome and sturdy looking swing-type tool. I was impressed. Of course we discussed the FDG and she is no more happy about it than I am.
After I talked to her, I walked on down past the site again and the water is still there and my neighbor had suggested that perhaps they were going to put a retaining pond in and I think she may be right. They are certainly man-handling that property, shoving dirt this way and that. It has been cleared of every stick and stem and it looks to me like they've trucked in some red dirt to build up the lot.
Y'all- I am losing any hope whatsoever that this project can be stopped.
Another person that I paused to talk to was a man in a car right by the light at the intersection by my house. He wanted to know about a car that Mr. Moon has had in the yard forever. I had just told my husband yesterday that he needs to get that thing hauled away. He bought it from a friend, sort of as a favor, and he's done nothing to try and sell it, probably because it's not worth selling. So there it sits right next to the bamboo jungle down by the old barn. I told the man who was asking about it that it wasn't running and it wasn't worth trying to get running. Of course I really don't know a damn thing about it but that's my opinion. He told me that he always noticed a lot of cars and trucks in our yard and I allowed as how yes, that was true, and told him that my husband used to sell cars and although he still has a dealer's license, he's pretty much retired but he still has lots of project cars.
This is absolutely true.
Lots of project cars.
The man ended up asking me if I was all right and I am sure that I looked like I'd been walking through the desert for forty days and forty nights. I wiped my brow, said I was fine, and that I was almost home.
And then I saw my new neighbor in his yard and stopped to talk with him for a moment. He's just had two nice sheds put on his property, one, as he said, a She-Shed for his wife. He has a lot of tattoos.
And then I came home and haven't done much of anything else all day long. My husband, the car guy, put on his plumbing hat today and replaced the toilet in the kitchen bathroom. For whatever reason, it always seems like a sort of crazy, bizarre magic that a regular person can go to a store, buy a toilet, bring it home, take an old one out, and install a new one.
And yet- it can be done!
And it was done today at my house.
Mr. Moon is quite handy, I must say.
Darla and Violet are still sitting on their nests. I have Darla's Estimated Date of Non Confinement as next Monday on my calendar, and Violet's as a week later. We shall see how close I get on those predictions, if indeed either one of them actually hatches out any bebes.
The zipper peas I planted last week are popping up. I was a bit worried about their viability in that the seeds were a year old but they all seem to have germinated. I am picking peas every morning and am hoarding them like a woman hoards memories of long-ago kisses in the dark, waiting until I have a good amount to shuck. We had thought we were planting the types of peas that have delicious, sweet pods but these peas have stringy, fibrous pods so I'm picking the fat ones to shell.
Another post that reminds me how different our climates are. I'm enjoying reading, wrapped in a warm hand knitted Afghan, feet on another!
ReplyDeleteOh my! It is definitely time here to put all of the afghans and blanket throws away.
Delete"Lots or project cars" just like my son in law whose yard is filled with derelict rusted out hunks that he plans to restore some day. They will never be restored or even worked on. All the ones that were in our shop yard and at least five more accumulated though most of those are much newer and not rusted hulks...yet.
ReplyDeleteWell, generally Glen does work on his project cars and the ones he doesn't are _mostly_ in the garage. So are some of the ones he does work on. It's a big ol' car salad around here. The old Suburu is definitely in a category of its own.
Deletesuch a generous mate you are...project cars- no , a thousand times no. Pretty clear what you can buy a man who has everything- round up another project car and his heart would pop!
ReplyDeleteBut OH that tree! It is magnificent! Your walk sounds neighborly.
I think that the man spends a great deal of time online looking at other possible project cars. It's something he never tires of.
DeleteThat tree is probably a god or goddess.
In some ways Mr Moon sounds like my brother in France - very good with engines, problem solving and undertaking practical tasks from roofing to plumbing, electrical wiring, refitting a kitchen, ploughing a field... but he has never written a poem.
ReplyDeleteOh, but there you are wrong! Mr. Moon has written me several poems that are wonders of humor and I cherish them!
DeleteA four-mile walk is impressive! Your peas are beautiful, but I'm with Mr. Moon on that one.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child, peas made me gag. I don't know what happened to make me now love them so.
DeleteMy husband changes toilets, puts up light fixtures. He used to cut down trees and split wood too, before we moved to the city and old age is catching up with him. With both of us really. Sort of sad. But now he likes to cook, and do dishes so it all evens out. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy husband is pretty good at doing dishes but cooking is mostly beyond him.
DeleteThose peas are so green and, hopefully, sugar sweet! Creamed peas and new potatoes ... OMG I love them!! Haven't made them in years!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do end up with some chicky bebe's!!
We shall see with the chicks. I am definitely not counting them before they are hatched.
DeleteHe doesn't like peas?? OMG, right off the vine. And yes, that tree is a forest goddess. If you have never read The Understory, you must. All about trees and the people who love them.
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Raw he can handle the peas. I will look for that book. I do not believe in a God but I do believe in trees.
DeleteMy dad always said no matter what a man did for a living, he had to be able to come home and change a faucet washer. I think it's fortunate for most of the men alive today they never had to deal with faucet washers.
ReplyDeleteThat majestic Ancient Tree is magnificent! Here they always want to chop the Old ones down, I know not why, it's a Desert and Shade is a Premium! I bought an Older Property because of the Mature Trees on it, since at this season of life I won't live long enough to plant a new one and see it get to that level of maturity now. Those Peas look beautiful, fresh Peas are the best! Like you, there are people I Socialize with very randomly and not all that often but I thoroughly enjoy when we do talk.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone cut down a tree in the desert? That sounds insane to me. I'm glad you have some though.
DeleteIsn't it funny how there are some people we just click with, even though we hardly ever see them?
I love sturdy oak trees, we have them here in the hills area where one of my daughters lives, there aren't any on her property, but she has a cottonwood and several fruit and nut trees.
ReplyDeleteThe peas look delicious, I love peas, and your tomatoes look great too.
I hope there are plenty of baby chicks soon.
Our oak trees are really amazing. I feel so lucky to live where I do. We have a lot of greenery.
DeleteI am hoping for chicks and for tomatoes!
Not only do I not understand owning trees, I also don't understand owning land. It makes no sense to me. Which is part of why I don't own any.
ReplyDeleteI also doubt the FDG can be stopped, but it's still worthwhile for the regulatory agencies to give the project another look -- they can make demands that would affect adjacent land and maybe future development.
The peas look amazing! Does that guy want to buy Mr. Moon's old car?
Once, under the influence of LSD, I realized the whole idea of owning land was absolutely ridiculous. I still feel that way but it hasn't stopped me from buying some. And I try to be a good tender of it while I am blessed to live here.
DeleteYeah. That guy was interested in buying the car.
You had a good hike and you talked to a lot of people. That's great!
ReplyDeleteYou had a lot to say in this post and I like how you said it!
Thank you, Ellen!
DeleteYou had a very social walk today and I wonder if it made the rest of the day in your own company seem rather delicious, given that you had already engaged with the world at large. That's how it often works for me. And yes, I think that marshland store is a horse that is already far down the track unfortunately. They may regret their decision to ignore nature by and by.
ReplyDeleteANYTIME I have hours of solitude, it feels delicious to me! I'm pretty sure you're right about the damn store. How I wish though, that it would rain hard and wash away all that they've done. That's just meanness on my part though.
DeleteI love that oak tree. There's a gorgeous old oak in front of a house down the street that was sold over the winter and the new owners are renovating it. I don't care what they do with the house, as long as they leave that majestic tree alone! I would be heartbroken if they cut it down. I don't know why they would, but you never can tell what people will do.
ReplyDeleteYour walks put me to shame. Lately with being sick I can barely manage the half mile we walk the dogs twice a day!
I feel the same about that tree next door! Do what you want with the house but please protect that tree! I hope your new neighbors have an appropriate appreciation for the tree in their yard.
DeleteWell, when you are sick, especially with respiratory stuff, of course you can't walk very far! Be kind to yourself, dear Jennifer.
Well done on you four miles. I don't think it matters how fast you walk (unless you're going for cardio), it's the fact that you did it (and got to chat with a few people too)!
ReplyDeleteWell, I would like to get a little cardio in there. I try.
DeleteAin't too bad indeed. Except, of course, for that FDG.
ReplyDeletea 4 mile walk is impressive, whether moseying or not......plus the bonus of chatting with neighbors! Your peas.....beautiful. Wish I had some to put in my chinese stir fried rice for tonight! And I fear some of your commenters are correct in that the FDG will be built come hell or high water (and no pun intended). But....the individual small property owner trying to erect even a small *something* on their property.....would probably be denied, right? How fair is that? It isn't, that's for darned sure. I'm on a soap box today here in Calif. where state is declaring urgent need to *conserve water*..........but yet, large developments continue to sail through the planning departments with wild abandon.....as if water were plentiful. Different rules depending on who you are...just like your FDG. Just gets my goat. Sorry, had to vent.
ReplyDeleteThose peas would be excellent in a stir fry!
DeleteYes- sadly, they're going to build it come hell or high water and trust me- there WILL eventually be high water. The codes around here are quite lax for private residents and commercial ventures. That's the way of it in a very poor southern county. We humans have been very poor custodians of our planet, haven't we? And in the end, we are going to regret it more than we can realize.
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