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| The spikes sticking out on the left hand branch are leaf buds ready for Spring 2015 |
You may have noticed I am hardly here. You may be feeling miffed because your emails haven't been acknowledged. But sometimes life beyond the blog sweeps in and sweeps it all away. Families!
I've even considered ending Loose and Leafy - but have pulled back from the brink. Almost everything passes - even bad things, trying things, time consuming things . . . So even it takes till February or March . . . if there were no blog to launch back into - I won't half be cross with myself.
Soooooooooo - if it's a choice between inefficiency and stopping - I'll go for being inefficient.
A lesson from the trees. While this year's leaves were dying next years were creeping up on them. There they are, all ready to burst apart in the spring.
I find this image much more powerful than eggs at Easter. Easter and Christmas have much in common in that they are celebrations of new life. I can't imagine why the image of these buds hasn't been picked up on more. Those next-year buds are almost overwhelming in their there-ness. Chicks and lambs are all very well but these buds . . . they are in front of all our noses. Those of you who live in deserts or very snowy places will be able to say whether I can put 'everywhere' after 'noses'.
My alarm goes off at 4:15 tomorrow morning. (I think I'll add extra exclamation marks after 'families!') So if I'm not around as much as usual - I assure you I'm not slacking!
And as a little pre-taste of my own tree-following post for when I get round to writing it . . . I now know what kind of tree it is. After all this time I know!
For December Tree Following Posts - CLICK HERE
For December Tree Following Posts - CLICK HERE
With Thanks to Mr Linky's Magical Gadgets for supplying the Link Boxes on this blog.
The Tree Following Link Box opens at 7am on the 7th of each month and closes on the 14th UK time.
The Tree Following Link Box opens at 7am on the 7th of each month and closes on the 14th UK time.
25 comments:
Wow, what an honor...to be the very first when usually I sneak in just under the wire. I have to confess I've had this one done for three days just waiting for the link to appear. The highlight of the year for my Tulip tree is to rake in all the leaves, because, being in an area of mostly conifers, big leafed trees are hard to find. I've staked out two trees, gotten the owners' permission, and now am proud to have a huge pile of leaves to spread on my garden beds, compost, and leaf litter piles. I made a short video complete with music from banjo picking Steve Montana to celebrate the event. Hope you like it.
dear lucy, sorry I dropped out of the tree following. For similar reasons that you describe! I'm so pleased and relieved you decided to settle for inefficiency.
Don't worry. You've inspired a lot of people and had an impact on the trees. I've so enjoyed it.
Inefficiency suits me fine, please stick around.
I was looking at my Amelanchiers the other day and could quite plainly see the burgeoning buds almost bursting to leaf up.
Mind you, I also have a Hyacinth in BLOOM, in the garden!
Families and life are much more important, so don't worry about not being around for a while.
I'm just about to write an article about how there's all kinds of new growth around in the darkest days of the year, so your look at what you've found on your tree at this time of the year struck a particular chord.
I also am pleased you did not stop your blog....I completely understand about life and families so not being around is just part of it sometimes! But do take care of yourself.
My tree heralds its buds when the leaves fall and these gorgeous red buds appear waiting for spring. I actually have a picture of them against the first snows. You can skim through my long post and it is near the end....keeping you in my thoughts.
Great minds think alike! A similar leaf drop/new bud theme crept into my post. Oh dear, I'm so sorry you're dealing with difficult issues. I'll be thinking about you and hoping things straighten out. In the meantime, inefficiency happens to all of us. Life is interesting and complicated. Do take care, and I'll look forward to your next post--in good time, when it's the right time for it to happen.
So glad you didn't stop blogging or stop this fun and interesting meme. All will understand tardiness--blogging sometimes must take a back seat. Thanks for the opportunity to research a tree and to learn about other trees--it's a gift and you should be pleased and proud.
Lucy, you're a hero and can do whatever you wish ... as long as you don't completely disappear! gratefully, Hollis
Hmm, yes there is life beyond blogging and it does us good to be reminded of it. Glad you have decided to swim rather than sink! Thanks for hosting the meme and continue to nurture yourself and your family - and your blog too when time permits!
I'm very sorry, Lucy, to hear that you have had such a difficult patch. However, I'm glad that despite this you have been able to make a tree discovery!
I'm running a little later than normal, but have just posted my link. I'll let you know if it doesn't appear ... it usually takes a few moments.
As suspected, my link has just appeared ... as if from nowhere, as its its custom!
Sorry to hear that things have been difficult.But good that you are hanging on in there. This meme has given a lot of pleasure to so many people. I have learnt so much whilst following my tree, it has been a delight to write about. Today's post is my last one about my Mulberry, I think it is appropriate to leave it in peace now for its winter sleep.
Sending you all my good wishes for Christmas Lucy. As we say up north Keep your pecker up! Gillian
Hope things are settling down for you, glad you haven't given up on the blog!
I hope you are feeling better now. You are so gracious to allow us "foreigners" to participate in your tree project. I am late as usual again as my old computer died. Most of the old files have been transferred to the new computer and I finally have some pictures to send for the December report. I still don't have an updated version of Photoshop that will work for me so cannot do any photo processing, cropping, or re-sizing. Will send what I have, however.
Thank you so much for doing the Follow the Tree project. I have learned from doing research on my Tulip tree. Every month when I post to the link box, I think..."She is very dedicated because this is a LOT of work."
Again, thank you.
Pat
Hi Lucy,
Sorry you have been under the weather. Do hope you are feeling better now. Thanks so much for this meme. It has been really interesting. I have managed a final post on my copper beech.
PLEASE don't leave us Lucy! I hope things even out in your life soon, but please hang on in there with the blog, even if only once every few weeks. You are my inspiration and hopefully nature is a bit of an escape for you, too.
Meanwhile I have had SUCH good value from my hornbeam this year and really don't want to stop visiting it.
All the best for Christmas and beyond, to you and all the other tree followers :)
How stressful for you Lucy so thank you for keeping going and hosting this meme. Intrigued to find out the name of your tree - meanwhile I wish you a Happy Christmas and New Year. Keeping an eye out for those buds of hope and renewal :) Laura
Looking forward to joining Tree Following this year.
Hi Lucy - and I second what many other people have said about this meme inspiring so many people, because I'm one. It's kept me blogging when I was creeped out by my online stalker, and I 'm so glad I did.
I really hope you get your mojo back (I did), but - as someone wisely said to me - there is no such organisation as the Blog Police.
I too am so late...I am always trying to play catch up with my blog but really want to carry on, I love that I can look back at my life since February 2009 and it's there!
So hang on in there....I am!
xxx
I didn't officially join your group as I am not disciplined enough to commit to a once a month type of thing and at times I have posted twice in one month.
I haven't added a Linky as I thought this would be cheeky after having done my own thing. I've been observing my mature magnolia and it has been a fascinating experience and one that I',, repeat next year with a different tree so thank you for the inspiration.
Unfortunately, I didn't get my stuff in before the deadline this time. I feel really inadequate about this. I had a fall from a moving car last month, then my computer died. I had to get another one. Still trying to get organized on it. I also cannot use my old Photoshop CS software on it so I can no longer process my photos. I did get my pictures all together the other day for this month, but with the deadline passed, they are useless. I also had hoped to post something for Christmas. I doubt January will bring any change to my tree.
Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Christmas, Lucy!
from the Tree Watcher
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