22 Comments

I needed to read this in this exact moment and I love you for writing it. Not enough, of course.

Expand full comment

If you zoom in on the scale of a fish, it has annuli dark rings of harsh cold waters, and the light rings of warm summers and abundant food. Each scale contains the story of their lives.

Expand full comment

Might this be one of the definitions of love? Zoom in on anybody or anything close enough, you just can’t help yourself falling in love with them.

Expand full comment

When I was a little girl we would turn off the main breaker (supposedly, in case lightening struck the house) and open all the windows during a thunderstorm, and just sit quietly, except to sometimes characterize the strikes and spares.

I lived in an oak grove for a time.

You may never love these things enough, but you can always try.

Expand full comment
Jun 22Edited

Your oak grove recollection reminded me of a tune named "The Ash Grove". It's one of my favorite old tunes because it's upbeat and the melody starts in the low voices.

Expand full comment

This is sublime - really! Now back to my pointless puzzle.

Expand full comment

I enjoy how you always seem to write about life's messiness in a joyful way. I appreciate your offering.

Expand full comment

There were no Loblollys lollygagging in my neck of the Appalachian woods. Only the lowly Jack Pine, with its turpentine smelling sap, would grow in the hardscrabble clay-shale soils.

It would be a wonder to see a Loblolly split asunder by a lightning strike. Something to enjoy from afar, no doubt.

Loblolly - what a name. I thought you made it up until I read the comments.

Expand full comment

Holy mother of mayhem this is beautiful. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Dammit.......that's good........I could tell you that I loved it,but it wouldn't be enough....oh look out - there's that smart ass again!! Honestly,does anyone?

Expand full comment

Wow. Brilliant. And now I’ve learned about the loblolly and I will be lost in what a magicians dove thinks about.

Expand full comment

Zauberhaft!

Expand full comment

Magnificent

Expand full comment

Oh my GOD. BRILLIANT

Expand full comment

Killer intro!!! Therapeutic read

Expand full comment

Breathtaking words and images. Thank you.

Expand full comment

so beautiful. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Thank you for this today.

Expand full comment