She goes back to work today, then goes to the store for a little training session on running the cash register. It's been a few years since she ran one, and although she's pretty sure the principal is the same, every till operates in a slightly different way, so she thought she had better get acquainted with it before she starts working at the store next week.
The weather has been decidedly autumnal, and she is glad that she and the Rancher decided to pick the tomatoes. They are all in a box in a cool part of her house, starting to ripen. She is looking forward to her first taste of homegrown tomato. Soon.
There was a nasty wind blowing in her neighbourhood last week, and she went for a walk with the Princess the other night to discover that, along with a few trees in the yard, the wind had also taken down one of the sentinels out in the pasture.
It looks rather sad lying there, doesn't it?It had been used for many years as a scratching post by numerous cows, as well as a perch and resting spot for many a raven and even the occasional bald eagle. It will end it's life by providing warmth for the Bag Lady and the Rancher this winter in their wood stove.
It's twin still stands in the next pasture over, but it too will one day succumb to a strong wind. For now, though, it will still provide a convenient scratch for an inconvenient itch, and a spot for a raven or hawk, or even an eagle to rest and survey their surroundings, searching for their next meal.
Rest easy, old friend, your job here is almost done.
14 comments:
I am feeling insanely sad for that old tree. I'm glad it will be appreciated to the very end.
it looks sad, and yet why do I think our writerfriend LEAH could compose an entire fantastic novel around that one lonely looking piece of wood,
It is the way of all things, sad and bittersweet and lovely all at the same time.
Part of the "sweet" in bittersweet is that even in death an old tree can provide so much nourishment to the soil, fuel for people, and homes for bugs and small critters.
Amazing to watch this part of the circle of life, and right in your own yard.
OK, now you've got me feeling sorry for a tree! That was beautiful.
Aw, that is sad. :(
And also a bit frustrating because we are having an impossible time getting any firewood this year, and here you have it just falling in your lap...er, pasture...
Ashes to ashes. Dust to Dust.
I feel like I'm at a funeral with all these somber comments.
I'll send you some seeds. We'll grow a new one.
kcinnova - I felt sad when I saw it lying there - that's the second one of those big old trees to fall.
Carla - I'm sure cousin Leah could do it far more justice than I did!
Messymimi - we see a lot of the circle of life out here - perhaps it is my advancing age that makes me pay more attention?
Crabby - thanks! I did feel sorry for that tree - it stood there a long time.
JavaChick - we didn't have much in the way of firewood around here, either, so in a way, it was fortuitous that this one fell... now we just have to get it bucked up and piled a wee bit closer to the house! :)
POD - well, we are going to cremate the tree! If you send seeds, send some for those big, beautiful Redwoods - maybe we could get some to grow here! :)
Always sad to see an old tree gone. They've had to cut down several beautiful large trees in Grant Park this summer. I suppose they had a good reason (disease?) but it was hard to see them go.
Trees give so much and ask so little of us.
Sad to see that one go. It could still serve while it's down, but if you need the firewood, then I'm sure it will be happy to go out in a blaze of warmth and light.
And big thanks to Carla for her kindness. You, too, Cousin. And don't sell yourself short. You did a great job making us feel for that old guard of the pasture.
Scrumpy - I agree - it IS sad to see the old trees being cut down. Although if they had disease, or some kind of wind damage, they would have to be removed for safety's sake.
dfLeah - thanks, cousin! I was hoping to be able to communicate my sadness at seeing that old tree fall. I'm glad I accomplished it.
Fall is such a great time to gather around a fire. And that your tree was a friend will add even more warmth to the fire. Toast a mallow for me BL.
Oh, wow. Poor tree. But at least it will go out in a blaze of glory! :)
*sniff* well said Sis. Good thing there were no cows under it when it came down...although you could have then had fire cooked steaks ;-)
(sorry...couldn't resist)
Well darn. I hate to see a tree go too but it sounds like it had a long, loved and appreciated existence. Still..
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