Tree-hug this morning before the storm.

I was greeted by a tree-top goddess, stallion and acrobatic dancers.

​A fuzzy moss-spotted tree-friend popped out to say hi to everyone!  

A sweet tree-bear with a bark-heart mouth sent some love.

Finally, a smiling bark-being happy in his cozy moss-bed.  ​Message:  Storms come.  Be on the lookout, but know you are watched out for and loved.  Rest easy.  The storms pass.  Peace

There was some spectacular bark on this morning's tree-hug friend.

At the top a bundled up bark-boy reminded me of winter coming.

The sun sparkled through this old bark-eye at just the right angle..

A gentle old tree-spirit smiled at his steadfast rock-buddy

A solitary leaf hanging out near by shared its still fall color.  Message:  Loving spirits of light abound.  Greeting us in the trees, the clouds, the water ... in all of nature.  Be in the now.  Listen to the signs.  Peace

Incredible old bark

Tree-hermit with his staff.

Rock-buddy view of the woods

A peaceful tree-hug in the woods this morning.

Above me a happy tree-family joined together to welcome the blessed blueness of the sky.

A shy tree-being popped out to say hello.

An ancient bearded tree-man shape-shifted as I gazed at him.

A weary medieval tree-maid rested her head.

Intricately carved wings revealed the presence of angels.  Message: Life. Sometimes a joyful gathering.  Sometimes struggle and insecurity. Know you are loved and cared about.  Angels and wise ones come in many different forms, even tree-friends.  Peace

Back to the woods today.  

Traces of tree-fairy footsteps heading up the trunk.

A curious bark-being with his black cherry tree-friend behind him.

Lenticels, the raised lines in the bark, are pores through which gases are exchanged between the atmosphere and the living part of the tree.  Trees breathe!

Nearby the bark remains of a fallen tree. So many eyes and faces with stories.  Message:  Magic, life, stories abound in nature.  As we touch it may we be touched.  Breathe.  Peace

And then this beautiful swirl, an ancient symbol, revealed itself.

Grandbaby's first Thanksgiving dinner at grandmas house! 

A special day with much gratitude for our health and the opportunity to be with family.  I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving with peace in your home.

A grateful tree-hug this morning.  

Grateful for my new tree-friends, the American hornbeams.  I never knew they existed until this year!

Strong and sleek

Like no other tree.

This one captured the essence of the moment in its tree-hand.  Message:  Gratitude is part of every day in the smallest of moments being.  Peace

A precarious tree-hug climb this morning.

Looking above me.

Looking below.

Feeling one with my mountainous tree-friend.

A mossy guardian of seen and unseen connections.

A powerful presence in the woods.  Message:  Rise to the challenges in your life.  You are rooted below and blessed from above.  Step into your journey of life, as it is now, with trust and belief in yourself.  Peace.

As my bark-friend is stepping into his ....

It's funny how much I enjoy my rainy day tree-hugs now. Almost 8 months since this journey began.  

A dancing tree-angel.

Her filaments of tree-love and light trail out through the mist.

A rather debonair tree-gent headed off to an important meeting.

While another  tipped his hat.  His umbrella held up high.

Vibrant green still to be seen.  Brighter perhaps now that the woods are more bare.  Message:  Move through the rainy times with dancing grace.  There is still plenty to do.  Embrace the richness and colors of light and love that accompany you on your journey.  Peace

Wise words that are as relevant today.

A monumental tree-hug this morning in Wappingers Falls.  And special because this tree is within a few miles of where I grew up.  It was there when I was born.  And a stone's throw from the library where I took out my first books. I saw it today with new vision and much greater appreciation.

Ancient tree-gargoyles stand guard.

As a multitude of tree-arms and fingers reach for the nourishing sky and light.

Its massive trunk gently bending with exquisite tree-beauty and grace over the many decades.

Magnificent tree-neighbors (and caring humans) make this a magical space in the midst of a noisy and chaotic world.

This wise tree-spirit carries the history of centuries. Countless human-folk have stood here in awe, played in its leaves, cried tears of loss and joy, shared their secrets, hopes and dreams with this patient and accepting tree-friend.  ​Message: Our ancient tree-friends are necessary for our sense of awe in life. They bring a powerful truth about nature. Without them our grandchildren and their grandchildren will never know this most simple and pure awe.  Let us continue to care.  Thank you JW for leading me back to this place and this tree.  Peace

An ever green tree-hug this morning.

I read that in general, eastern hemlock (my tree-friend) is a slow growing tree that may take 250-300 years to reach maturity'.  Wow!

Sunlight illuminated brilliant green needles.

Delicately petaled cones discovered.  My spirits were lifted.

I wondered how a wandering ant might feel traversing this jungle-like trunk-path.  Message:  Be curious, keep wondering.  Life is a journey.  Twists and turns and light. Treasure the beauty. Peace.

A cold tree-hug this morning. I've been eyeing this giant of a tree for a while because of its spectacular crown.  I was welcomed by a host of friendly tree-beings showing me their special skills.

A health conscious tree-man practicing elbow bumps

A lovely tree-lady sitting on top of the world watching the sun come up.

A tall tree-fellow dancing like a whirling tree-dervish.

A delicate tree-mermaid swimming through the morning light.

A masterful tree in these beautiful woods.  Message:  Be grateful for the wonders of nature.  Know you possess wonders as well.  Be proud of your skills.  Nurture your health, your happiness, your peace.

A cold late afternoon tree-hug today.

Three thickly barked-ones standing united.

Hillside guardians holding the space with the soft ground hugging moss.

How can you not be amazed at this incredible bark-creation?

A serene feeling in the neighborhood. Message: Soft and hard. High and low.  Coming together to make beauty and peace.

A diminutive tree-hug this morning.  

The American hornbeam (aka musclewood) is a small tree with lots of strength and character.  ​

Its smooth rippled bark like skin alive with tree-feeling.

A tree-mudra delicately encircling air, sky and leaf.

Tree-neighbors near by.  A peaceful and meditative gathering in the woods.  Message: Strength comes in many different forms. Come to know better and celebrate your unique strengths.   Support is around you.  Feel the peace.

A chilly tree-hug this morning with a very interesting black birch tree.

 Like these praying bark-beings, their arms outstretched to the light.

And this angel wing bringing a smile and lifting our spirits.

While its weathered and well rooted trunk holds things steady and secure.  Message:  Embrace the transformations of time.  Pray and be touched by the angels.  Drink in deeply the earth, the air and the light.  Peace

A little too high for a climb, so I settled for a happy sitting tree-hug this morning.

My animated new tree-friend has made the best of his rocky home.  

Pondering the nature of rock.

A towering and beautifully balanced tree-hug this morning.

With or without their leaves our tree-friends, as best they can, stand tall and steadfast.

They are a source of constancy in our lives.  Minimally acknowledged, yet a hugely important part of what makes life feel 'normal'.

They are interwoven intp our very existence.  

I wonder how they perceive our much less steadfast energy?  Message:  Practice tree-ing.  Stand tall.  Be true to who you are.  Be where you are, wherever you are.  See what it feels like to let a little moss grow.  Peace.

A misty rainy tree-hug morning.

Blessings come in many different forms.  It's all how you look at things.

Today's tree-hug with a wild black cherry tree-friend.

These two wild tree-ladies look like they were really enjoying their morning rain dance.

Then this last beauty appeared, with her shared-trunk-friend, displaying great poise and dignity amidst the wildness of her cheery cherry home.  Message:  As the leaves fall, enjoy your friends.  Celebrate what's around you.  Dance.  Be free.  Peace.

Oh, yes, and then the rain came on the walk back to the car.

A most unique tree-hug this morning.

This mature twin-trunked tree stood out with its most unusually textured bark. The two youngster trees nearby seem to be patiently waiting their turn.  Learning as much as they can while they wait.

Our tree-friends possess powerful knowledge and skills of survival and resilience.

Including sharing laughter and holding faith.

Posing with the shagbark hickory tree-neighbor.  Notice how its bark is dotted with woodpecker holes. Message: Diversity is part of nature.  Consider how much we have to learn from those not like us, and yet like us.  Have a sense of humor.  Keep the faith.  ​Peace.

This nearby rock-man bust looks a bit like Thomas Jefferson to me.  

Another bright and colorful tree-hug this morning.  

I'm not surprised that oak trees are considered a universal symbol for strength and steadfastness.

Its less steadfast neighbor in the background was making a somewhat more free-spirited statement.  Message: We are of nature as much as the trees.  Know a tree. Know yourself.  May your leaves be abundant and bright.  Peace.

It was a beautiful morning for a group-tree-hug.  

Their canopy of vivid golden-yellow leaves glowed in the sunlight like a welcoming beacon.

The sun created a well defined line between light and shadow on the towering trunk

A dramatic display of contrasting energy sharing space.

My research leads me to believe this tree is a bigtooth aspen.  The knobs on the twig are called 'leaf scars'.  They show where previous seasons leaves grew.

It wasn't a windy day but while I was spending time with the trees the breeze suddenly picked up. The sight and sound of the leaves falling was amazing.  I think the reason it was so loud was because the leaves are rather thick and heavy.

Baby's first standing tree-hug (with grandma).  The tree's first tree-hug, too.

A beautiful bright one to remember.  Peace and family harmony.

A happy tree-hug with a towering Red Pine on Long Island.

And another very special one with my granddaughter and son.  Tree-arms and family-arms.  A happy, happy hug-day.  Peace.

A much needed comforting tree-hug this morning.  I am deeply grateful for having access to this amazing community of trees.  And the time to get to know them.  I am also grateful for those sharing this journey with me.  It helps me continue going out everyday knowing that others are looking at the trees differently, more thoughtfully and with deeper appreciation.

I  was awestruck by this unique tree growing on the rocky edge of a steep hill.

A very cool rock-star tree-seal was looking out over their domain.

Its horizontal trunk growing between a rock and a hard place (more rock.)