We planted two pecan trees this past Arbor Day, February 15, 2008. It is our habit to plant at least two trees during the February month. We moved in Oct 31, 1995 and since have lost 13 pecans, 1 holly, 1 black walnut, and 4 dogwoods. It's not our fault, I promise. Trees have a natural life span just as people. A pecan tree has an average life of 125 years. Our home was built in 1873 and we guess the pecans followed soon after.
We are thankful the trees fell one or two a year. It is expensive to have trees removed and as misers we keep a high deductible.
The tree we miss the most has to be our holly tree. It was beautiful, majestic, and the perfect bird heaven. Mockingbirds would call from the tight limbs and do their little dances, flicking color which contrasted vividly with the deep green leaves. The redbirds were a winter treat. Imagine a holly tree covered in snow and then place a couple of them on the branches and it becomes postcard perfect.
As you may have guessed, the display case holds a Shel Silverstein biography and two of his poetry books for children. The man was quite a character and I hope y'all try his work.
The tree shape is from his children's book, The Giving Tree. 
A young boy discovers a tree is perfect to play in, on, under, and around. He eats fruit from it and takes naps under it, then the book becomes menacing. The boy grows older and keeps taking from the tree until there is only a stump. I just want to slap the selfish man, but the tree keeps forgiving him. It makes me cry, every time. Um, excuse me...
21 comments:
Makes me cry too. I love that book and really all of Shel Silverstein's work. Read those over and over to my girl when she was young.
Kay - Reading some of Shel's bio, he started drawing to pick up chicks! Pretty funny when you think of garage bands as being the chick magnets, but he claims there is plenty of opportunity for young men who doodle. :)
Maggie, trees are our friends ! :-)
Absolutely, Paul! Go hug one now! :D
your home sounds delightful, I didn't know a pecan's life expectancy was only 125 years--of course, they'd not last that long up here, but we do have black walnuts...
Your displays always rock! And you've just gotta love Shel. :)
Boo hoo! I know - just thinking of that book makes me teary. I was such a fan of Shel growing up.
Inside everyone's nose there is a sharptoothed snail.
Stick your finger in, he may bite off your nail.
Stick it farther up, he may bite your ring off.
Stick it even farther in, he'll bite the whole darned thing off!
I've screwed it up a bit I'm sure, but it's a favorite... :)
I don't think I would ever grow tired of reading The Giving Tree.
I'm glad you're joining the Neustadt challenge!
Thanks, Sage. We really love our home. When we moved in we had over 30 pecan trees. We went directly to the library and checked out every tree book we could find. Did you know they also have a tap root?!? Just let one snap in half and try to remove the root ball! Oh, and our yard is now filled with these rings of mushrooms where the trunks used to be. So Kewl!
Thank you so much, Tiffany. I know how talented you are and that means a lot coming from you!
Love it, Diane! A poem to discourage a nasty little habit. Oh! I've noticed snails must fall easily asleep while riding in cars. Quite a phenomenon! ;D
Looks like you will have a couple of years to read them, too, Nyssaneala. :)
That is a great book. I can't imagine Arbor Day so early in the year. In MN it is at the end of April.
Hi, Clair! During our walk today, I pointed out buds on pear trees to my friend and the buttercups are blooming in our yard! It's spring here! I know, I'll shut up. You probably have more cold days ahead. :)
My children loved this book, but I couldn't get through it without my voice breaking and eventually, I couldn't even begin the thing without crying.
Thanks for sharing, Jenclair. I've been thinking of doing a tear-jerker book display and this book fits the category perfectly. (All along I've been thinking of adult books.) I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets upset.
Love Silverstein. My daughter's just started to become interested in his books, too. A few weeks ago I first read The Giving Tree to her and she demanded it about eight days in a row! I think I've created another Shel fan.
That's so exciting, Jeane! Oh, to be young again and just discovering Shel...You go Super Mom! :D
The Giving Tree always makes me cry. I lost a lovely Holly Tree last year along with a huge Blue Spruce that looked like webs when the sun shone through. Things like that make you heart sick when they are broken or destroyed. We will be planting some new ones next month. A bit behind you guys. I have always wanted my own weeping willow and plan to put one by the new pond.
Oh, a weeping willow will be perfect beside the pond, Deana. I can see it now! Just think of the hairy kids (dogs/cats) running through them. ;D
I have loved Shel Silverstein since I was a young child! I have most of his works and love to read them to my kids! They are so much fun! Such a great talent.
I'm so glad you are familiar w/ Shel, April! And that you have passed poems on to your children. Hurray, Super Mom! :D
Oh, Maggie, far far from super mom, lol. I just have this annoying habit of bugging my kids with all things that I enjoy and enjoyed as a child, lol. They will probably grow up to hate half the things that I want them to love as much as I do, lol
Please don't sell yourself short, April. Anyone who nurtures children through books is super. Go ahead, pat yourself on the back, and expose them to more and more of the good stuff! :D
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