9 Comments

Hi Caro,

I'll be interested in the responses to your query. My assumption was the opposite to yours, that more intact forests here on Turtle Island require tree seedlings to grow tall and straight, stretching toward skimpy light passing through mature canopies. May that this land greet you generously for the duration of your stay. I'm almost tempted to drive over to VT on Wed. You'll be close to my parents' home.

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Ah, that makes more sense!

And yes, do come over.

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We shall see what the tree people have to say. I'm a novice aficianado pedaling tree hearsay. With the Feast preparations in full swing there's a slim chance I'll leave here, but I love knowing that we are inhabiting this seasonal moment together. Best to you.

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novice aficianado pedaling tree hearsay

Is a great sentence! Thank you for that rich language

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That soup looks amazing! It is just starting to feel like spring here near the Canadian Rockies. Or it was. It’s going to snow quite a bit again I hear. Wellllll we need the moisture however it gets here.

Your writing stands out to me because it is so full of detailed observations and appreciation of beauty. When I read I know I am going to experience something lovely vicariously.

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I’m happy that you got to experience the verdancy of late spring here in North Carolina, as well as our red clay soil. Your observation about the trees is interesting. My home is in a white oak wood, interspersed with tulip poplar, holly, cherry, sourwood, pignut hickory, and other species. Mature trees in the forests are often quite tall and straight, reaching high to spread their crowns in the sun (except for the understory hollies and those very crooked sourwoods). The same white oak trees when growing in open areas as on old farms spread out considerably, often with long, low branches and thick, twisted trunks such as you describe. You don’t see those as many of those anymore, sadly, as they get cut down when the farms are sold for developments. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip through the US. And I would relish a bowl of that stew!

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This sounds right! Now up in Vermont and looking closely at the trees.

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I’m planning a month sabbatical next year. It was supposed to be this year, but life has gotten complicated. I can’t imagine taking a 5 month sabbatical.

I enjoy your writing very much and am just starting to stop lurking and start commenting

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I can't imagine it yet either! But I will still be writing, which is still work, of course.

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