....roots

Yogis,
As a certified tree hugger (yes, I actually hug them at times), I have always been in awe of their roots. Certain trees allow us a view of them spreading above ground, giving a glimpse into what lies below. The fact that roots burrowing into dirt can feed and hold up trees that seem to touch the sky, through wind, rainstorms and drought for hundreds of years is incredible. And no two sets are exactly alike.

There are skinny roots and those grown thick and gnarly. Some that spread far and wide and ones that quickly disappear from view. Others crisscross along paths giving me a place to plant each foot as I hike through. The ones along the creek and river remind me of ballerinas dancing on the tips of their toes.

They are all intricate and beautiful in their own right.

Imagine my surprise when this ad crossed my feed:  How to hide unsightly tree roots in your yard.

Unsightly? What? Could this be serious? I looked it up and found that yes, it is a thing with many options from landscapers on how to get them out of view so your lawn can look neater. Tidier.

Yikes. Please don’t cover up your tree roots. Putting even a couple of inches of soil on them can suffocate the tree. Instead, sit with them, listen and take a good look. See them with new eyes.

Children know this. We have an enormous oak tree out front at the base of which my boys created little forts among the roots. My granddaughter recently commented on how intertwining roots under two river trees made the perfect nest area for a nap. She was right. They invite you in.

They weave and bend, intertwine and reach. A complex network creating stability in a shaky world.

My hope is we will not allow our world of marketing to do to tree roots what it did in the past to our precious dandelions and clover. Nature knows what she is doing and if we allow her to paint the world her way, we will be surrounded by beauty…..and nourished by her roots.

Nature as sculptor,
SARAH 

....the skipper

Yogis,
While working in the garden I develop relationships. Relationships with plants, each with their own personality. Relationships with birds as I watch them raise new families. Relationships with dragonflies, bees, swallowtails and the occasional turtle, snake or frog. I talk to them, observe them and of course, photograph them. A lot. I make sure they have clean water, nesting materials, cover and their native food.

They in turn give me joy and companionship.

There are some though that develop a special place in my heart and one of those is the Skipper.

Skippers are a group of butterflies with over 3500 species that are named for their quickness with speeds up to 20mph. One minute they are on the leaf in front of you, the next across the garden, before darting behind you. Here I am, they say!

They come in a variety of colors. Most of the ones in my garden are clothed in golds and browns, some with a white spot. They are quite small, yet stocky and sturdy with a body covered in hairs causing them to be confused as moths. You can tell they are butterflies though by the little clubs at the top of their antennae. Many believe they live in a world between butterflies and moths.

And they love flowers! I find them most often skipping from my bright colored zinnias to echinacea, sunflowers and bergamot. They use their long tubelike proboscis to suck up nectar before curling and retracting it back in like a hose. Important daytime pollinators, I am grateful to have them around.

If you spend time with a skipper they will become comfortable and let you approach. Once close you can see their big bulging eyes which will turn to look right at you, and I swear at times it appears that they break into a smile. They do not shy from attention.

They will even land on your arm and stay for a spell as you continue trimming and weeding. A gentle presence. I like that.

What a big personality packed into such a small creature!

Relationships,
SARAH