Wednesday 2 June 2010

Alphabe-Thursday T is for Trees

I have a bit of a thing about trees. I have very strong memories attached to certain trees that I have "met" during my life. I know, I know, cue for that well known song "I talk to the trees". On the Andy Williams Show years ago he changed the second line to "that's why they took me away". But I digress.
My first tree was a big old apple tree. For some years we lived with my granddad and granny and the row of houses where they lived were Edwardian and had been built on an old orchard. Each house had been left one or two trees in the garden. I used to climb up into it and sit and read for hours, often until the light had gone and I couldn't see anymore. Dad put me up a swing in it too, so here's a photo of me sitting on the swing.


The second tree was one that I used to pass every day when I was walking to work. I had a lovely photo of it but I've lost it so I managed to screen capture what it looks like now from Google Street View. It must be ancient but it isn't as healthy looking as I remember it.



My third tree gives me an excuse to show you what a slim and gorgeous young thing I was. I am about 18 in this picture. The tree behind me was in the garden of the flat below us. It was a lilac and we got all the benefit of it because it was outside out sitting room window. In the winter lots of little sparrows would come and sit in the bare branches and my mum always said they looked liked little brown fruit



One tree I don't have a photo of is a tree in the park in one of the towns where I worked. It was a huge, and I mean really HUGE Copper beech. On stressful days I would go and look at it at lunchtime and it helped. The next tree is one that was across the road from our last house. I was rather pleased with this photo. We lived in the countryside and there were lots of lovely trees around us.


Now we have moved but we are right on the edge of the town and some of you will know that I can walk through a little wood almost outside my front door. I have posted a few pictures of these in the snow so HERE is a link if you would like to look at them. From my study window I can see the woods and two big pines, here they are in the evening sunshine


Last two. The very old oak tree that is along the lane that goes to the old farmhouse that is now a pub



and my favourite tree at Sutton Hoo



See more takes on T HERE

38 comments:

  1. I drew your name for the spot number 2 for Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "T"! I will link this tonight into that spot...so you don't have to link up this week, ok?

    I just want to stir up who gets the first spots each week!

    E-mail me at jennymatlock at cox dot net if you have any ???'s

    I wrote about your winning spot number two here:

    http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/06/oh-i-want-to-to-give-awayi-want-to-give.html

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  2. Oooh I say - what a slim young thing you were, 'cos after all you're such a huge old thing now aren't you - err, not! And looks like you've got special attention from the teacher as well!!!

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  3. Trees have a lot of character. I like them, too.

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  4. Big old oak trees have always been my favorites!

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  5. Very cool T post....Trees are special and they hold many memories for us from our younger days...you still are cute:)

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  6. I love all the tree memories. They are each so special.

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  7. I love all your favorite trees. Isn't it funny how different things hold memories for us. Loved the personal pictures of you. Great T post.

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  8. What a fantastic post! I love trees, too, Weren't you just a pert little thing?

    Have you heard this saying before?

    "A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible."

    It popped into my head when I saw that lovely picture of the apple tree!

    Thanks for this terrific stop on our little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's Letter "T"!

    A+

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  9. I love your post about trees! I can see how much you care for them. I have some I pass often and I love to see them change in the seasons!

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  10. I love your tree post. I especially love the way the leaves are changing colour on the trees around me at the moment as we head into Winter.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  11. I really love this post. I think it's so lovely that you remember all the trees that have meant something in your life. The shot of you in the apple tree swing is adorable! Great choice for T. Kathy

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  12. I love the oak tree, it looks like a great climbing tree! Such a neat post going down memory lane.

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  13. What a wonderful post. What would the world be without trees.LOve your pictures also when your were little.

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  14. As you pry know, trees are very dear to me as well...I would give just about anything to go back in and sit in the oak trees in the yards that have been in my past. Lovely post. Touched me.

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  15. I love that you wrote about trees ... it's amazing how they can play such a big role in our lives ... and yes, you were a young slim thing ... so pretty!

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  16. beautiful trees...what a great walk down a tree lined memory lane!

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  17. Trees are so majestic and definitely are in vibe with us. Lovely "T" post. I enjoyed rewadng about all your favorites.

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  18. Great post! You need the poem "Trees" (Joyce Kilmer) to go with your favorite trees! I truly love this post! Please come join me soon! Anne

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  19. What a lovely T post, the sunset/sunrise ? photo is my favourite.
    Maggie

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  20. I heart trees too! Fabu post!

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  21. How does that old song go?...Only God can make a TREE!!! Wonderful!

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  22. Hi Jay,

    I love trees too. I often go back to houses where I have planted trees just to "check" on them. They are my special children...Wonderful post. Please do come to my Tea party.

    Anne-Marie

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  23. I love trees too - they've always been there & will continue to (God willing!)

    Lovely post & wishing you a Happy Alphabe-Thursday and a great weekend too!

    LOLA:)

    PS. Mine’s HERE!

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  24. I am into trees also. I'm from PA where there are so many trees. One thing I miss about home is how the poplar trees will start growing right on your lawn if you don't mow it for a few days...

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  25. Hi fellow tree lover!! This is my first time visiting your blog, but since you relate to trees as do I, I am your newest follower. The sound of a chain saw is a very sad sound indeed. My first tree was a crab apple that my parents planted outside my bedroom window. I have lots of trees at my cottage, and yes I do have an ash tree!! Come visit when you get a chance, my gate is always open!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  26. hey Jaydubblah! Your post reminded of 'tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree' song :P

    Remember that one? Trees are our friends :)

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  27. Oh...love your trees ;o) And what an absolute little girl you were! And love that you were able to include your pic of you when you were a teen :o) I love trees with the huge widespread branches...and have to admit when I see one like those, I get the urge to want to climb them!

    Blessings & Aloha!

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  28. I have a thing for trees too - some of my favorites are Arbutus, with red trunks and glossy leaves.
    ...and you don't seem to have changed a bit from that first photo!

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  29. I love your journal style AND your trees, of course. I'm a split personality....half Brit half Oz..... and I don't know which is which! But I enjoyed a peep into your England.

    My other blog is

    http://jeriatricjottings.blogspot.com

    It's called Rinkly Report

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  30. Wonderful choice of T-word. (I love trees too. My paternal grandparents had a huge old apple tree that I used to swing from too!)
    I like the way you travel through time using your favourite trees as posts along the way.

    Have you ever heard of a poem about trees by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)? He died too early, but wrote at least this one poem that is more than most write in a lifetime. I think you might like it.

    I think that I shall never see
    A poem lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
    Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

    A tree that looks at God all day,
    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

    A tree that may in summer wear
    A nest of robins in her hair;

    Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
    Who intimately lives with rain.

    Poems are made by fools like me,
    But only God can make a tree.

    (Thank you Wikipedia! Go to Joyce Kilmer)

    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's Ts

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  31. Oh I love tree, and all their beautiful blooms and messes of them before winter arrives!

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  32. I have a thing for trees too. It's why I love the color green so much.

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  33. TERRIFIC TREES! And skinny you :)

    Fun post..

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  34. So many lovers of trees...me too...love the pictures, especially like the tree at Sutton Hoo, and you in the swing...great post...peace and blessings

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  35. I love trees and they mark the passage of time in my life just as yours do.

    Mine's up.

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