Seeing Trees

Sunday, June 18, 2023

To all dads, Happy Father’s Day!

The header photo is a neat capture of Mitzvah. She’s cute and mostly running. Photos usually capture her rear; this was a lucky shot that occurred on a hot afternoon as she was pausing in a grassy-shady spot. This image might be worthy of printing and framing.

Sometimes, Mitzvah joins Chase on one of his regular outings, but only occasionally because his energy can turn her into a football-like buddy. The problem is his fifty-odd pounds vs. her 16 pounds. At the start, she’s faster, but he tires her out and I go to the rescue.

Here comes that energy!

While we’re hiking, I focus on the surrounding plant life, new blooms, and mature trees. For years, I’ve hiked this trail which used to boast more mature Ponderosas. Several of those giants have fallen victim to lightning or illness.

This trio on my path is in various states of health. These trees make me pause, for they’re beautiful and optimally arranged. I imagine their ancient roots, reaching deeply underground and intertwined, communicating and sharing nutrients.

I imagine Oregon forests in the distant past, in their original state and full of Ponderosas and other evergreen varieties. If we had understood tree life then as we do now, would we have done so much mightily-aggressive clear-cutting? I know that it’s pipe dreaming to think things might have been different, that humanity would have protected more world forests. As much as people today understand the necessity of preserving our little plant, we still drill and pound on it.

My dogs and I are lucky. We stroll beside a trickling waterway that sports spring flowers and supports several big Ponderosas. Someday, these will disappear into an area of resort destinations, apartment buildings, and individual homes.

My imagination resists. I stroll with a camera, capture what’s interesting, and enjoy imagining forest history. I hope it’s realistic to respect humanity as capable of saving enough of what remains.

Dear Friends: Our planet’s survival depends on keeping it always well-forested. Diana