This summer was the beginning of a major overhaul of the backyard. Basically we have a huge chunk of land about 1/4 of an acre that is woods. Not nice woods - just scrub oaks that started out as suckers that took over. Most of the trees are either hollow, rotting or just weak looking. Lets just say, I wouldn't trust a swing on one. So we decided to take down the trees and move our lawn back there in order to make room for the pool we want to install where the lawn is now. Here is my progress so far on the left side of the yard:
You can see the tops of trees on the left against the fence that will be mulched and used in the gardens. The right side of the yard looks like this and I will be removing most of them as well:
All in all, I have about 12 trees to go.
Of course, we have been cutting the trees for burning in the fireplace this winter- they have a beautiful scent when burned. They crackle in the most quaint way and they keep us warm (God knows the heating prices this year will be insane).
Anyway, I noticed something very odd happening. As I was chainsawing the logs in prep for splitting, I began noticing very distinct discolorations in the wood's annual rings. Then I began noticing they were letters of the alphabet.
THE LETTER"e"
THE LETTER"X"
This one just about killed me... it looks like a broken heart...
The broken heart
I never knew that trees could spell. It just seemed so unreal to me, as a writer. The "A" was so distinct that I began looking at all the wood. I found a "W" and a "P" as well. At the end of all this I will see if they spell anything. Perhaps they are trying to say, "Why, you heartless bitch."
I would have to respond, "Because you guys keep falling inches from my house."
Burning this wood during the winter months, I will say a little prayer, thanking them for their warmth. I have an all-new respect for the trees around me.
