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The redbud is Oklahoma's state tree and this one at the library is in full bloom!
Bee-yoo-ti-ful, isn't it!
In case you couldn't tell from my recent Locus Focus post, I have a thang for the great outdoors and I really really dig trees. Yep, I'm a nature girl...
And as a nature girl who is also prone to flights of fancy, this quote by William Blake pleases me...
"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself."
- William Blake, 1799, The Letters
Do you ever think of nature as the imagination of God*? I do and this quote reminds me of how, for me, nature, spirituality and God (the Creative Force of the Universe)* are magnificently intertwined.
*(God a.k.a. Creative Force of the Universe so as not to offend anyone since 'spiritual' talk can be a touchy subject in mixed company. Folks of all creeds are welcome at Mrs. BG: Christians, Buddists, Hindus, Muslims, Pagans, Agnostics, Atheists, Jedis.
Except for radical fundies of any persuasion-- they are scary and tend to support book banning so must be screened first!)
And yes, this is Lesa-- and no, I haven't been 'body snatched'-- I do occasionally stray from the silly side of the street and think serious semi-profound thoughts.
but not for long...
Definitely the home of a bookish dryad, don't you think... (a tree nymph, for you less fanciful folks)
Can you imagine someone not noticing this tree or worse, thinking it was in the way? Maybe even destroying it?
I bet you can guess which bookish character that part of the quote reminds me of:
Bad Saruman-- A wizard should know better!
Can you imagine someone not noticing this tree or worse, thinking it was in the way? Maybe even destroying it?
I bet you can guess which bookish character that part of the quote reminds me of:
Isn't bark interesting...
I am a macro maniac!
To learn how my macro mania began (and to learn what a doofus I really am) click here.
Macro enhances details not seen by the naked eye and makes even the most mundane things beautiful and fascinating.
Nature macros might even move some to tears of joy as William Blake stated trees are wont to do.
Well, not my nature macros, you understand, but someone's... hey, it's in the realm of possibility and I bet that someone owns a bonafide dSLR camera!
This lovely little blossom blooming right out of the bark of the main trunk didn't make me blubber but it did bring me joy.
Nature, imagination and ways of seeing words...
Yes, I think bark is interesting and totally YES I think nature shows a truly beautiful imagination and a sense of humor (smelly flowers, anyone?)!
ReplyDeleteThis post had me cracking up - even the serious stuff...in a good way! ;)
Yes, of course, trees and all of nature are evidence of God's handiwork. I LOVE texture. I'm looking at the outdoors differently now that I have my new camera. So fun! Great images -- esp. the little flower coming out of the tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice way for me to start my day. Redbud trees are beautiful, and we don't have too many around here. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Blossoms haven't quite made it to NH yet...
ReplyDeleteLovely tree! Blake was such a visonary, surely he would have appreciated your macro view....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and I enjoyed reading your post! I love trees too. It's always so fun to watch the different types start to bloom in the spring. I seem to notice a new one every year that I've never seen before (or I have a bad memory)!
ReplyDeleteWe still wait for spring to take hold, but it is nice to see the cherry blossoms elsewhere. I enjoyed reading your post and like you, love the world close up.
ReplyDeleteI can't belive that bloom coming right out of the bark! So glad Spring is here!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's such a lovely tree! One doesn't get to see such a sight here. And that bark has a lovely rosy hue...after looking at it I'm not surprised there were blooms bursting right out of it!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I love looking at trees and flowers and plants. But I'm not all there....I'm sort of half into nature and half out...if that makes any sense...
Lesa wrote: To learn how my macro mania began (and to learn what a doofus I really am) click
ReplyDeleteNo need to click-- I will concede that you are a doofus!!hahaha Nice Zen post!
Leslie: Hahah! Sometimes I don't get the joke-- poison ivy? What is up with that?!
ReplyDeleteGG: Ooo, a new camera! Yes, I notice so many things now that I'm a blogger and 'photographer'
DeLynne: You're welcome!
Kate: So glad you enjoyed it. Hope it didn't give you spring fever...
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a tree person, but you're starting to win me over. Yes, I can see how that lovely tree right next to the library would make you think of a book-loving dryad! She'd be a friendly spirit protecting the place from those awful book banners!
I love your shots. Thank you for the quote. So true. Hope you have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteooooooh, Jiiiiiimmm, you're in TROUBLE now!
ReplyDeleteDeb: Thanks! You are the real deal and your photos are beautiful. They inspire me to do better! Thanks for following! I returned the follow!
ReplyDeleteGreen: Hope spring speeds on your way! It is glorious!
Danelle: Me too!
Risa: thanks for stopping by! Yes, it makes sense-- I'm guessing you like to visit botanical gardens but don't necessarily want to dig in the dirt yourself!
Biblio: yep, he was one cool dude for the times. Thanks for visiting us this week- we've missed your comments. Sorry for not visiting you lately too.
ReplyDeleteE: :o)
ReplyDeleteRochelle: So glad you liked this post! Wishing you a great Sunday too-- and week ahead! The thought of Monday though-- ugh!
Jim: Har dee har har! so you concede, huh? Well, at least my doofusness was up for debate for a second or two at least!
ReplyDeleteI love the blossoms trailing down from the bark. Beautiful shot!
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous tree indeed! I would love to have this tree for my house.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tree.
ReplyDelete