Tag Archives: oak tree

Inspiration from a literary giant

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This past weekend, I visited Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California. I wandered trails, gazed at ruins and tall trees, and visited London’s grave and cottage. I learned about London’s life and passion for farming (a surprise to me). Mostly, I recharged.

There’s something inspiring in hearing park rangers proudly describe London’s work ethic: 1,000 words a day, usually before noon. Then he headed over to entertain guests in his cottage’s adjoining space that held a living room, dining room, and kitchen.

One of London’s typewriters in his spacious office

A great oak, one London could have seen from his office windows

Notes on a clothesline in London’s sleeping porch

Where are some of your favorite places for renewal and inspiration?

Between rain showers

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I don’t know about you, but I always struggle the first few weeks after we “spring forward” into Daylight Saving Time. A few days ago, I managed to get out of bed at an earlier-than-usual hour, though it took until the sun was up for me to make it out of the house with the dog. In between bursts of rain on our quiet walk, I snapped this picture with my phone. The view and its accompanying quiet felt like a gentle hello from God.

I love this photograph for so many reasons: the play of early morning sun and gray clouds; the exuberance of green grass growing where I rarely see it; the meandering path along the flat trail (it plunges down just past the distant tree line); the stately oak leafing out to welcome spring.

The trees in this picture have survived not just one year of drought but years of it. Yet look at them. Look at those green leaves. Continue reading →