This tree smiled at me as I passed by. When I went over to visit I realized it was an old tree-hug friend. A happy tree-face you can't forget. There were some lovely trunk-ladies. And a friendly bark-dragon with a sophisticated bark-lady admirer. Nearby I got a 'thumbs-up' from an emerging fern-being. A couple of horsetails showed off their miniature-tree decorations. And a shy 'jack-in-the-pulpit' peeked out. How lucky we are to be blessed with so much beauty around us. Step into the love. 💚 Peace
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The woods were so serene this morning with a misty light rain. I met some very interesting tree-beings. There were a lot of salamanders out on the wet trail. For some reason I decided to take this one's picture (promising him Facebook fame) and witnessed my very first salamander-slug-hug! Another gift from the nature-spirits. 💚 Peace
A tall Eastern white-pine tree-hug this morning. When there are 5 needles in the 'bundle' it is a white pine. You can estimate its age by counting the branch rings. An interesting example of tree self-healing. Nearby, the cutest little leaf-boy. And an amazing double-propeller fringed polygala (also called gaywings). I felt lucky getting to see this wild-flower peeking out the leaves. Breathe deep and enjoy the abundant gifts of nature. 💚 Peace
An interesting time in the woods this morning. Behold, Jabba the tree-Hutt. Wrinkly tree-elephant skin. Leaves birthing from their soft, furry cocoon. Magic within magic within magic waiting to be born. Horsetail, I think. It has been used as an herbal remedy since the times of the Greek and Roman Empires. Message: Remember, you are here to witness the magic all around you. 💚 Peace
The angle of the morning sun highlighted the 'ribs' of my new tree-friend. It was a magnificent grounding-hug. With some fun-loving pops of green. So simple and common, yet so perfectly amazing. Enjoy the season. 💚 Peace
Make sure you look carefully before tree-hugging. I didn't. And out of all the places my hand could have landed it found this disturbingly slimy slug. Ugh! Actually it was more like a small scream. The heart-wood of the tree. I think this is 'toothwort' a type of bittercress. Red trillium, also called wake-robin. A sip-of-raindrop held in a a leafy fairy-cup. 💚 Enjoy the magic. It is everywhere. 💚 Peace
A strenuous hike this morning up Alander Mountain in the Taconic Range, on the border of New York and Massachusetts. It was nice to meet some very nice hikers along the way (human and dog). This tree, just below peak, had a lot of character. And there was a spectacular glacial reminder. 💚 Peace
This morning I visited some of the tree-neighbors from yesterday's hug. A ruffled shag-bark hickory. A giant tree-rabbit. While a sleepy-eyed trunk-creature snoozed on his his rock. Message: Treasure your friends. Whatever form they make take. 💚 Peace
A cold tree-climb this morning. Below freezing. Beautiful tree-symmetry with a touch of mossy-green. A kind-faced tree-being said, I understand your struggle. Some curious tree-neighbors kept watch. A cute-as-can-be leaf-youngster. And a shy maple leaf-bat. Be flexible in your search for balance. Caring beings walk your path with you. Touch nature and be renewed. 💚 Peace
I enjoyed this morning's towering tree-hug. The air was a lovely temperature and there was a symphony of bird-song around me. A sprawling trunk-creature stretched out in the warm sun. It was a magical gift to see this gnarly bark-being make friends with a delicate leaf-mouse. An fly-friend buzzed in for a quick hello. And a beautiful violet glowed in the light. Nature is continually giving, just being. 💚 Peace
A small tree-hug today with a hophornbeam. It's a raggedy barked tree. On the way back a different kind of forest growing up out of the wetland caught my eye. 💚 Peace
A friendly trunk-lady hug this morning as we both looked out onto the trail. Peaceful tree-beings hugged above us. Perfect tree-balance and harmony. As I walked away a camouflaged fungus-formation miraculously caught my eye. Yet another magical world within nature's realm revealed. Through the gray tree-trunks soft whispers of green and blue promised a new time coming . Listen with your heart. 💚 Peace
A fine beech tree-hug this morning. I love the smoothness and coolness of its bark. The contrast with its deep ripple-barked neighbor caught my attention. I found an unusual snake-mouthed bark-face. A trunk-being looked out into the woods with patience and curiosity, Prayerful bark-hands told a story of healing. Nearby a fashionable flower-maiden wore a bright spring-bonnet. And dangly bud-triplets adorned a dense prickery bush. I did a little research and believe this is Japanese Barberry. Not only is it invasive but it provides an 'exceptionally favorable environment' for ticks (and Lyme disease). Best to keep your distance from this lovely one. Nature has much beauty and many lessons. Be mindful as you explore its mysteries. 💚 Peace
Mother nature points the way to wonders in the simplest of places. Touch the heart of creation. Be one with what is free to us all. 💚 Peace
It was a busy morning in the woods today. My first tree-hug was with a spectacular multi-trunk maple tree-family. An awe-inspiring silhouette against the over-cast sky. Then on the way back we came upon this other-worldy tree in a field of skunk cabbage. The exposed roots are a sign that this tree began its life over an older decaying tree-body. I wondered about this infinity-eyed tri-legged alien tree-being staring back at me. A twisting-turning root-universe. A masterful creation of nature's grand root-sculptor. Along the way I was enchanted by the perfection of a delicate leaf-birthing. An abandoned insect birth-casing. And a satin-ribbonny yellow birch root. Open your eyes and behold the miracles of nature. Be reborn.
A wild cherry tree-hug this morning. Her dancing tree-spirit blessed by the light. A tree-man, his face half hidden in the shadows, lifted his powerful trunk-arms high. Nearby a leafy-hummingbird hovered in the air. And tiny bud-flower beings peeked out at me. See their little eyes? Nature is leading us to the rebirth of ourselves. Touch the joy of the moment. 💚 Peace Tree-hug on April 14, 2020. Not posted on Facebook.
This morning's tree-climb was uplifting. The soft cushiony ground-cover of pine needles and leaves made for a springy tree-hug with my very cute Eastern white pine-friend. Another thing to put on your 'watch-out-for' list: sticky pine-sap A happy pine greeter-couple were going with the flow. Nearby an unforgettable moss-creature looked right at me as I passed. And an intricate-leaf robed ethereal woodland wild-flower beauty was demure. I am so happy to know my journey has inspired others to look more closely and feel more fully nature's loving presence. 💚 Peace What I posted on 4/13/20 on Facebook: A hug of relief after the storm! Grateful my home trees withstood the powerful winds! Have a peaceful night, tomorrow will be better
What a nice hug with an old tree-friend this morning. Maybe you can see the friendly trunk-creature smiling above me. I think she might be a tree-bear. It's time to add slugs to the list of things to watch for during warm weather tree-hugging. This one blended in with the bark and surprised me. On a lighter note, graceful flamingo-head buds prepared to emerge from their winter cocoons. And a delicate newly-birthed leaf-bird fluttered in the breeze. Nature is an ever present gift awaiting our arrival. 💚 Peace My post on Facebook from 4/12/20: Today's tree had the feel of Easter. Peace, Love & Healing Light to Everyone
It was a lovely five mile hike this warm morning. But be careful if tree-hugging with short sleeves. Ants and other insects, sticky spider webs and poison ivy vines are back on the trees. This super-bark reminded me of sedimentary rock with its many layers. Intricate nature-sculpted bark-landscapes. During the winter I was curious about how different trees wore the snow. Now I am watching for how leaves are born and curious about our native wildflowers. Keep learning and loving nature 💚 Peace False hellebore (Indian poke) looks similar to skunk cabbage at this stage and grows in the same area. A magical world of green. Flowers on the shadbush (serviceberry) shrub. I read that it flowers when the shad (fish) run up the Hudson River to spawn. It is also when the ground softens enough for burial which is why it's called serviceberry. A compact bud-hand released its perfectly formed gifts to the world. Hepatica (liverwort, kidneywort, pennywort) is part of the buttercup family. A heaven sent color. An awakening fern-family embraced before their unwinding. 💚 Peace What I posted on Facebook on 4/11/20: This magnificent Willow was in a different place than our usual walks. Poison Ivy vines on this one, so I had to be careful. Have a beautiful and peaceful, holy day, today and tomorrow, whatever you may be celebrating.
Back in the home-woods for this morning's tree-hug. It was a fun climb up the bumpy side of this mighty tree. A friendly yawning tree-octopus stretched his root-arms down the slope. While on the other tree-side a sweet faced bark-creature looked out with love. A miraculous display of healing tree-energy. Embrace the healing energy of light and love. 💚 Peace My Facebook post from 4/10/20: Group Hug What a View Be well everyone
We had an adventure today! A tree-hug by the Hudson River with the Catskill Mountains in the distance. Tree-life on the water's edge is much different than the wood-land trees. And yet the same. A peaceful viewpoint. Nearby bloodroot flowers radiated pure joy. And a frilly colt's foot was a miniature sunburst. Enjoy peace wherever you may be. 💚 Peace My tree-hug on 4/9/20. Not posted on Facebook. A pretty-faced tree-lady smiled demurely.
This tree with its interesting overlapping trunks caught my attention from afar this morning. When I got closer I realized it was a tree I met in the winter. It had a message of harmonious relationship, the sharing of space and light. The depth and protective nature of its bark brought me a feeling of comfort. Life is full of moments that may shock us. I am grateful for my peaceful moments in the wood-land. Where even the lowly skunk cabbage can take your breath away in awe. And God's perfect expression of peace can find you in an obscure wildflower. 💚 Peace My tree-hug pictures and post on Facebook from 4/8/20. I have been tree hugging everyday, just haven't gotten around to posting the pictures. The views looking up have become an inspiring part of the experience. This time of year also requires paying attention to possible ants and other bugs on the bark, poison ivy vines and walking through areas where there might be those nasty ticks. Be well everyone. I'll post more in a few days. (And maybe that gnome will come back )
My year of tree-hugs changed my way of experiencing trees. Seeing beyond the practical and environmental aspects to their unique life-expression. Joyful tree-energy with arms lifted high. Singing songs of survival. A part of the ageless and boundlesss quest for balance and harmony. A tree-messenger reveals a mysterious light-portal to explore. 💚 Peace Tree-hug pictures from 4/7/20, which I did not post on Facebook.
My tree-hug this morning was in an area where a large fallen-tree had taken several other trees down in its path. It is a common sight in these woods. The tree-message was about allowing for imperfection. To look for the beauty and value within the perceived flaws. To celebrate wholeness. And the miracle of what is. 💚 Peace Tree-hug picture from 4/6/20, which I did not post on Facebook.
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