Dear listener,
Let me retell to you a strange tale I heard from someone who themselves heard it from one of the characters in it. It has come a long way from the distant glen where it began, and perhaps it has been a little embellished here and there. But if you ever felt that some trees are more than they seem, then I think you will not find it hard to believe this story.
And I wonder if, when it is done, you will feel differently about wandering or rootedness and how they play through our lives, for it has certainly made me think about such things a great deal.
May your dreams be ever sweet!
Seymour
Dear Seymour, what a treat to have a new story for my birthday week... There are a few holly trees in my neighbourhood that stand around an old Villa complex. This had been a guest house next to the ford that allows travelers to cross the river. We also have a stand of London plane trees surrounded by linden that create what our family calls the treethedral. It stands at the foot of the centre of New Zealand walk....thanks again for your beautifully crafted adventures...
ReplyDeleteAppreciations!!
Great congratulations on your Birthday! I hope you have a lovely day, and many more like it! Your neighbourhood sounds deeply storied and characterful. I love London planes and lindens (which we also call "lime" trees) and have been privileged to know and love a few impressive examples of both species in my life. Thanks for listening!
DeleteAbsolutely delighted to find that a new Borders of Sleep episode dropped. My house is surrounded by trees: western red cedar, western hemlock, spruce, Japanese maple, and so many pines. Thank you for all that you do to help my anxieties take a back seat at night, so I can get restful sleep.
ReplyDeleteFavorite episodes: The Spudfellow, Pillow Portals, The Cicada Laundrette, and (of course) Wild Blue Yonder.
Oooh - so I found your old blog! You clearly love trees too :-) It's lovely to have you along as a listener. Your house situation sounds wonderful, and I am sure being so surrounded by all that nature helps with anxieties too. Wishing you sweet dreams and thank you for listening!
DeleteOne of these nights I'm going to hear the whole story. I've tried three times so far. Last night I didn't even get past the introduction. What kind of magic IS this, Seymour!? I love the fact that your voice and writing overcome my anxieties about being awake with restless legs so that I go right to sleep without having to have the tv going, which also disrupts deeper sleep, but gosh darnit, I want to know how these stories end, too! I love your imagery and feel I could grow as a writer just to listen to it, if only I could stay awake long enough to learn. I'm not really complaining. :) Thank you for sharing your magic!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome, Ren. Thank you for all the nice things you said. I don't know what the magic is; if I'm honest, I think I am as surprised about it as anyone else. I do what comes naturally and every time I over-reach that, try too hard, think too much or try to boil it down to method, it slips away. Anyway, the magic goes both ways because I am always so encouraged to hear that there are people out there who connect with the stories and find them helpful or inspiring and it makes me happy that you're out there listening. Wishing you many restful nights and success in your writing.
Delete