A Ponderosa pine swaying in the wind....
I once read a passage by the ecstatic, skinny John Muir, where he rides out a storm in the top of a Ponderosa Pine. Swaying in the rain. John Muir was probably safer in his tree than I was walking the ridge today.
We are in the midst of a two day storm. Winds, I'm told, have been gusting to 55 mph. Drenching rain. I had a hard time coaxing Angel (my dog) to accompany me. She looked at me as if to say: "You have absolutely no common sense, oh master of mine". I grabbed a bit of Jim Beam to take along with me. Warmth.
I couldn't find my rain coat either. So it is hypothermic cotton to wrap my body with. And a stocking cap.
The winds howled. I kept close watch on the trees around me. It isn't the Ponderosa pines I'm worried about; they seem to do fine in the wind. It is those silly Oaks. They don't have the sense to grow straight. Miserable widow makers.
I think to myself, "I wonder how much time it takes from when you hear the crack of the bark until the trunk of the tree ends your life"? I decide that it would be just enough time to startle you before you start your trip to the other side.
I only take one photo. It is too wet to take photos.
When I return to the Cabin, my dog runs in circles. Joyful, she is, to be home. I don't know if she should feel such joy. After all, I built this Cabin. And it is being banged about by 55 mph winds.
John Muir rode his tree through the storm; I ride my Cabin. And so it blows....
5 comments:
This one is poetic. I like it :)
Yes, some poetic posts recently Allan -- sweet.
My least favorite part of my workshop coordinating marathon (up by 6, to bed late) is that I drive too much and ride too little. Only got the 1.7 miles to and from the resort tonight, though it's a good huff and puff back up...
And oddly enough, considering the fact that I like wind energy, I'm not comfortable in trees and towers when it's very windy. Even when my wind tells me it's strong enough, my gut doesn't like being up there in those conditions
Well done Allan. I enjoyed the post greatly. I so very much love John Muir. I've read everything I've been able to find by him and about him. You've captured his spirit well.
The man was as crazy as they come, and yet it was exactly that eccentricity that made him so real and so lovable.
It's been a joy reading your blog.
Walk On(ward)!
Larry
Gee...thanks for those kind words, Annie, Ian and Larry.
I so very much enjoy writing this thing. First off, it gets me out the door. Secondly, it gets my butt in front of a keyboard most days. And thirdly, it lets me interact with such good and decent people...
Thanks for reading it...
allan
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