I chose a rock where I could sit comfortably. The tree and I communed. I chose my pencils but kept adding colors as I saw the subtle variations in the pale bark. It was quiet except for the red headed woodpeckers. They are always there as far as I can tell. I seem to be the only one fascinated by them. The locals see them too often I suppose.
I did have a visitor during my hour perched on the rock. A golf cart strained to make it up the hill and the driver stopped directly in front of me. He respectfully hesitated before he addressed me. “Senora, you draw?” He wanted to see my barely started sketch. “Muy bueno.” Big smile. I asked him what he was working on? He gestured up the hill at the ancient cabins. He said he lived nearby and he was very happy. He could go home to his wife and children every night. Not like other times- at least that is what I think he said. He seemed very sweet – it was so nice to meet someone like that.
I found out later from a handsome and strapping Irishman that they were replacing the 1940’s plumbing in the little cabins. He looked so capable, the Irish guy and I could tell he would have liked to walk and talk. He is new to the United States. But no, I had no extra time to talk. I was missing spa time to get in some art time. Then another attunement session. Seriously, I would like to go to Glen Ivy for a personal art retreat. The place is a visual feast and is loaded with source imagry I probably do not even know is there yet. This is the year of doing things differently.
Cosmically enough, I have a poem that probably goes with this exact same tree, written thirty years ago called "Eucalyptus in Abandon."
Oh leave me a lone with the fire
and the burning tree…"
something like that about the light that seems to rise up out of the tree to meet the sun….
Well now, can you find it? I want to read it! And Peter just wrote a poem about the same tree? Woo, woo! It is a most worthy tree and I need to review my tree photos and see if I did get a good picture of it. That will teach me to go somewhere without my camera.