Farewell, Giving Tree. Hello depressing firewood pile.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

My vision transforms your front yard into dark mysterious forest landscaped like the art design of Pan’s Labyrinth. From the gaping hole merge the wood nymphs who look remarkably lie a set of LoTer you might see at a Palm Springs retreat only, their bodies are streaked with mud and carry with them the usual forest detritus of mossy twigs, fall leaves. Their faces washed with mischief, they delight in their release as they sneak off into your neighborhood, blessing the trees and grasses and taking residence in untended garages where only the animals know they are there.

Mysteriously, fires are quenched or rather redirected into the amorous desires of the home owners. Several nights of passion sweep over the neighborhood and at the next full moon, a fruit tree appears where the hole once was. The fruit it bares is sweeter than any other. And no one ever talks about it again.

Loss transformed into magic. I heart you so! Thanks for this, Chris. Achingly lovely and haunting and fun. You know how much I love mischievous concepts.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Only decent tree we had is a fig tree, which makes you itch if you climb it,

Interesting, I didn't have that experience. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at my grandmother's house. She had a fig tree in her backyard that I climbed all the time and I have no memories of it making me itchy.

What's kind of funny about that tree is that my dad planted it when he was a kid for the specific purpose of having a climbing tree. Unfortunately it didn't grow big enough to climb until he was grown up and had a son (me), but I loved it!

[Alex]

I too grew up with a fig and have no recollection of it making me itchy. However, I do strongly recall that fresh figs are about the vilest of all the fruits (though I do loves me a fig newton).

The droppings were also useless, unlike the pears, apples, black walnuts, and cherries which made for decent impromptu baseball-type objects.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Alex

I too grew up with a fig and have no recollection of it making me itchy. However, I do strongly recall that fresh figs are about the vilest of all the fruits (though I do loves me a fig newton).

The droppings were also useless, unlike the pears, apples, black walnuts, and cherries which made for decent impromptu baseball-type objects.

God, I don't think I've had a Fig Newton in years and they were my favorite cookie. The perfect after school snack.

[innerSpaceman]

Is losing a tree akin in simple wrongness to a child dying before a parent?


It seem so to me at least, and neither naked mudwrestling, lemony replacement or oriental expedition will do.

Only €uro's scenario will suffice ... and alas, that seems the stuff of dreams likely inspired by lying beneath the boughs and surrendering to the spirt of the glorious bygone tree.

[Disneyphile]

Instead of just firewood, some pieces could be carved and made into pendants or other trinkets.

In fact, that would be an awesome holiday gift for friends - handmade from your giving tree, so it can keep giving joy.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

Instead of just firewood, some pieces could be carved and made into pendants or other trinkets.

In fact, that would be an awesome holiday gift for friends - handmade from your giving tree, so it can keep giving joy.

I attempted wood carving once. It was fun until I gouged a whole in my finger.

[Gemini Cricket]

When I was about 7, I used to sit in a tree I called "If'n". (It was the name of a stupid song on "Bewitched".) I wonder how big If'n is now...

[innerSpaceman]

Fine, now I can't stop singing that song.





It's gouging a whole in my brain!

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

I attempted wood carving once. It was fun until I gouged a whole in my finger.

How about just finding some chunks that look nice and then paint something on them?