Category Archives: flourishing tree

The four redwoods

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A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
—Ecclesiastes 4:12

Four redwood trees grow in my yard: three in one corner, a fourth by itself in another. The three that grow together shelter each other, and each one receives shade from the others at some point during the sun-drenched day.

Three redwood sentinels stand guard at one corner of the yard.

Each summer, right about this time, I start to fret about the fourth one standing alone. Its needles brown, despite the drip hose, evening waterings, and prayers. Continue reading →

Studying and fighting for champion trees

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I spent last week in a place I love. I love running there like no other place, because running there means I get to enjoy shaded trails under towering trees, and stop to drink in sweeping vistas of mountain ranges covered in hardwoods and pines. I can run longer and breathe easier in this place of magnificent trees. (Well, maybe not physically breathe easier because of the elevation, but there’s an emotional breath that comes more easily to me when I’m there.)

So when I imagine a world without trees, my heart catches, and I think of this beloved mountain place. I cannot let myself imagine it without its crown of trees. You might wonder why I would even try to imagine a world without trees. Well, because a book I recently read, The Man Who Planted Trees by Jim Robbins, asked me to do just that. Continue reading →

Celebrating the Fourth of July

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I’m taking the week off to celebrate the Fourth of July. Because of my dog (and the extreme dryness of California summers), I no longer enjoy fireworks the way I used to. But a good parade never gets old. And neither do celebrations with family and friends.

How do you celebrate patriotism and independence—whether you’re American or claim another country as home?

Beauty above and along the Columbia River Gorge

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In last week’s post, I took you on a tour of Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. This week, I’m inviting you along for a trip to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge, a short drive outside of Portland.

As I write this, California’s Central Valley is facing yet another day of brutal, record-breaking heat. I can hardly believe that just two weekends ago, I was standing at the foot of snow-covered Mt. Hood.

Staring up at Mt. Hood

If I could teleport myself there now, I would lie in the snow and make snow angels.  Continue reading →

The rose garden

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My husband and I spent the weekend in Portland, Ore., for a mix of work and fun. The city is known as the City of Roses. It was fitting, then, that we took time to wander through Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. If I’ve ever been to a more beautiful rose garden, I can’t remember when. The garden is home to more than 8,000 roses of 610 varieties. Words cannot do justice to the fragrance, the colors, the different sizes and shapes.

I’m still getting over a lingering, clinging cold, and today, I thought I’d share a bouquet with you all. I hope you enjoy these beauties from Portland’s wonderful rose garden.

“Of all flowres methinks a rose is best.” William Shakespeare

Continue reading →