We are experiencing high wind activity in Wisconsin. This morning on a trail walk with my fourleg, I witnessed a thirty foot(or more) pine tree uproot and topple. There were so many thoughts and perspectives I entertained , settling on ... This was a reminder that my challenges allow me to set deep roots, so that I can remain anchored when the inevitable winds huff and puff.
Beauty often asks us to employ our imagination? 💭
Thanks for connecting and making space for me to share my experience. 💜
Yeah, I love this story. I'm glad you're safe! Now you can imagine ways to grow a nice, deep taproot.
As a side note, I grew up in northern Illinois, but think that Wisconsin is so beautiful. Rolling and green! Door County is a little heaven of a place.
My dad grew up in Sturgeon Bay. He lives in Kewaunee now and I've had an opportunity to make several visits over the the last couple of months. At a gathering last weekend, a new-to-me acquaintance said that I really might enjoy making the effort to visit Washington Island for the lavenderfest. I've tucked that away as a probability.
I do love your photos. The bloodroot in my "Wisconsin natives" bed are a good couple of months away from showing themselves. 😁
Thank you, Kimberly. So much care goes into a piece like this. I caught my breath when I saw it. A long piece of calligraphy is a work of meditation and concentration, for sure. And, it sent me down an interesting rabbit trail to read about Tolkien’s inspiration for writing it. So glad you enjoyed it!
O Snow White, O Lady Clear is such a beautiful Irish take on this poem, full of the love of living.
Tolkien’s recitation of the poem is quite interesting in that, for a great storyteller, he practically raced through its recitation, although he still enunciated clearly.
I thought so, too. Maybe he got excited about reading it—or maybe he was a bit shy to do so…? Still, it is thrilling to hear his voice today—still speaking his own poem for our modern ears. Technology is so cool that way. He will always be beloved.
Thank you, Sam! Handwriting is such a lovely way to preserve a poem, isn’t it? It adds a human touch to a piece. James was taught the practice by his grandmother which adds another layer of legacy and beauty. I think also of the handmade books that MK Creel makes. I saw that you have one, too! These are artifacts. Treasures. Thank you for the ongoing inspiration of your poetry. The way you share it by taking the time to read aloud also generates light and warmth to all who receive it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Ann! One thing I started understanding a little better last year is what Gary Snyder called the exchange; sharing whatever’s there. (The page would likely just get squirreled away in a notebook or something, had I held on to it. I’m honored by where you’ve placed it!)
Your mention of your nature walks I think touches on what I was drawn to in the poem. The elves not only saw but participated in the marvel and wonder of the natural world. Seems only natural in turn to express that personally through song.
Speaking of, thank you so much for sharing the song version of the poem! I had never heard it before, and it absolutely made my day.
James, you show us a great example of participation, here. Not only to appreciate a beautiful idea or image, but to participate in it—vividly!
It has a flywheel effect.
Tolkien’s poem inspired a song (glad you liked it—there are quite a few out there!) Also, the poem inspired your hand to pick up your pen and make something fine and lovely. Then, receiving that inspired me to go see the Bloodroots on the very day of their brief flowering. Now they will always be “Snow Whites” to me!
And who knows what else will be set in motion as creativity gets shared with others? It just keeps going . . .thanks again for your generosity.
There are so many beautiful treasures to be found in the short post - poems, calligraphy, flowers, wisdom, a song, and even Tolkien reading from The Hobbit. Thank you Ann for putting it all together.
Martin, isn’t it beautiful to see how a poem that was penned nearly 100 years ago can still feel so bright and fresh today? I’m delighted you found enjoyment here. Thanks so much for reading and sharing!
There is always work here that I need to be doing and I have many worries, for life on the edge seems always threatening to go over the edge. But I am always surprised, when I look back on times here that I know to have been laborious or worrisome or sad, to discover that they were never out of the presence of peace and beauty, for here I have been always in the world itself. - Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow
"When I walk contemplatively, there is an encounter with Beauty that seems personal."
Is it possible that it IS personal Ann?
I tell myself it is.
Yes, it is personal. 💛 You are specifically, uniquely, personally loved.
We are experiencing high wind activity in Wisconsin. This morning on a trail walk with my fourleg, I witnessed a thirty foot(or more) pine tree uproot and topple. There were so many thoughts and perspectives I entertained , settling on ... This was a reminder that my challenges allow me to set deep roots, so that I can remain anchored when the inevitable winds huff and puff.
Beauty often asks us to employ our imagination? 💭
Thanks for connecting and making space for me to share my experience. 💜
Yeah, I love this story. I'm glad you're safe! Now you can imagine ways to grow a nice, deep taproot.
As a side note, I grew up in northern Illinois, but think that Wisconsin is so beautiful. Rolling and green! Door County is a little heaven of a place.
My dad grew up in Sturgeon Bay. He lives in Kewaunee now and I've had an opportunity to make several visits over the the last couple of months. At a gathering last weekend, a new-to-me acquaintance said that I really might enjoy making the effort to visit Washington Island for the lavenderfest. I've tucked that away as a probability.
I do love your photos. The bloodroot in my "Wisconsin natives" bed are a good couple of months away from showing themselves. 😁
I hope you get to go! 💜
So beautiful, and in calligraphy no less! Looks like the bare branches of winter singing promises of spring.
Thank you, Kimberly. So much care goes into a piece like this. I caught my breath when I saw it. A long piece of calligraphy is a work of meditation and concentration, for sure. And, it sent me down an interesting rabbit trail to read about Tolkien’s inspiration for writing it. So glad you enjoyed it!
O Snow White, O Lady Clear is such a beautiful Irish take on this poem, full of the love of living.
Tolkien’s recitation of the poem is quite interesting in that, for a great storyteller, he practically raced through its recitation, although he still enunciated clearly.
I thought so, too. Maybe he got excited about reading it—or maybe he was a bit shy to do so…? Still, it is thrilling to hear his voice today—still speaking his own poem for our modern ears. Technology is so cool that way. He will always be beloved.
what a beautiful gift! and what a generous heart. Thank you for sharing this, and the photos and the words.
Thank you, Sam! Handwriting is such a lovely way to preserve a poem, isn’t it? It adds a human touch to a piece. James was taught the practice by his grandmother which adds another layer of legacy and beauty. I think also of the handmade books that MK Creel makes. I saw that you have one, too! These are artifacts. Treasures. Thank you for the ongoing inspiration of your poetry. The way you share it by taking the time to read aloud also generates light and warmth to all who receive it.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Ann! One thing I started understanding a little better last year is what Gary Snyder called the exchange; sharing whatever’s there. (The page would likely just get squirreled away in a notebook or something, had I held on to it. I’m honored by where you’ve placed it!)
Your mention of your nature walks I think touches on what I was drawn to in the poem. The elves not only saw but participated in the marvel and wonder of the natural world. Seems only natural in turn to express that personally through song.
Speaking of, thank you so much for sharing the song version of the poem! I had never heard it before, and it absolutely made my day.
James, you show us a great example of participation, here. Not only to appreciate a beautiful idea or image, but to participate in it—vividly!
It has a flywheel effect.
Tolkien’s poem inspired a song (glad you liked it—there are quite a few out there!) Also, the poem inspired your hand to pick up your pen and make something fine and lovely. Then, receiving that inspired me to go see the Bloodroots on the very day of their brief flowering. Now they will always be “Snow Whites” to me!
And who knows what else will be set in motion as creativity gets shared with others? It just keeps going . . .thanks again for your generosity.
There are so many beautiful treasures to be found in the short post - poems, calligraphy, flowers, wisdom, a song, and even Tolkien reading from The Hobbit. Thank you Ann for putting it all together.
Martin, isn’t it beautiful to see how a poem that was penned nearly 100 years ago can still feel so bright and fresh today? I’m delighted you found enjoyment here. Thanks so much for reading and sharing!
Yes, Ann, it's timeless! It still feels as bright and fresh as a new spring flower.
I certainly enjoyed this moment of beauty. Thank you!
So glad you did, Manuela.
There is always work here that I need to be doing and I have many worries, for life on the edge seems always threatening to go over the edge. But I am always surprised, when I look back on times here that I know to have been laborious or worrisome or sad, to discover that they were never out of the presence of peace and beauty, for here I have been always in the world itself. - Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow
Wendell Berry always strikes a chord in me, Donal. “never out of the presence of peace and beauty” ahhhh! There it is again. Thanks for this reminder.