when i got to B to turn on the water.....
this is the road down to the big gate. The way Out.
just about in the middle....a trunk broken. maybe about 20 ft up. the Whole upper tree is balanced there the top having taken down or over , several smaller trees and balances in their branches. There are actually 2 Pines down. The first and largest broke at Earth....drought and its branches intertwined with one close by, took that one with it. the broken off one. Understanding the story of this Hill, this Oak and Pine Forest would maybe ease the sense of loss. ? i don't know. Seeing very large trees...fallen...
there is a sensation i cannot find words for. Would they have lived on and on if there was not this drought? Already they are some hundreds of years old? and yes...there is that thing about Nurse Trees which is Real and very beauty Full, but this forest does not need that, i don't think?, it is thick. And maybe more thick than it might have been without the advent of Foreign People. I really need to get to Verbena Fields. They will know the story.
they came. First Alyssia then Jenny then grandson Jeff and then Jenny's man. in the distance, Jax and Emrie. 3 chain saws, only 1 of which worked...maintenance needed....but the road is Clear. Branches cut and hauled down to the gate where the next round of the rented chipper will turn them into mulch. It's On Going, This Hill, and why it would be so so good if they were able to LIVE here. it could become.....Some Every Day.
It was only 91. There was some strong breeze, almost small Wind. Things dimmed by smoke from the Mosquito Fire, not a threat here, but incidentally...grew 17,000 acres in 4 hours yesterday. Not a threat here, but "Their" Fire has become "Our" Fire anymore. Just
Fire.
as i type Wind rises and for the first time in weeks, it is Comfortable.
A long time ago when i first got here someone expressed interest in the Pine needles for basket making....was it you, Beth????? but here they are....trillions and Beauty FULL and perfect. I would be happy to send. Basket making is hard on your hands. Jenny said today...maybe we should ALL work together to make just One Basket. a Hill Basket.
