Thursday, October 25, 2012

How Can You Compare The Beauty Of A Tree


Quite shocking.  I walked into my apartment when I got home from work to discover the huge red maple tree in front of my picture window GONE.  It had been chopped down and only a stump remains.  Fifteen years ago when I moved in I had a full view of Mt. Hood.  If you have ever seen Mt. Hood the beauty and splendor of the mountain is like no other and from my apartment window some times it would loom so large it felt as though I could reach out and touch it.  The owner of the apartment at the time kept the trees well manicured and trimmed each year.  When he sold the apartments ten years ago the new owners let the trees go wild.

 My view of Mt. Hood slowly disappeared over the years.  Except in Winter when some trees lose their leaves I get a glimpse.  About a year ago I told the owners I wanted the tree in front of my window PRUNED if possible because it had grown to cover my deck as well.  They told me they would look into it. All last winter and through the spring and summer  I thought they had forgotten all about it.  I had an affinity for the tree so I told myself that I had made my wishes known and to leave it be.   Whoa!!!  Can you imagine?   I had no idea they were going to completely chop it down.   I feel the loss of my friend the red maple that gave me the gift of pure beauty  peace, and joy that only a tree can give.
 I do not have a before picture with the tree in front of my window but this is my view with it chopped down today.   Mt Hood is directly behind the trees on the right.

I am sitting here typing now adjusting to my friend being gone.  Watching it slowly get dark and actually liking the view now.  It is quite active and yet because I sit up high off the street I feel it is my little window to the outside world.  When the tree was here I felt protected yet closed in.  Now I feel open and I like it.  Woody Allen said the reason he likes living in New York...  " I never go out.....I just like to know everything is right there should I ever want to."    For me I am such a hermit that I like to see activity and life going on outside around me, the traffic,  the runners, walkers, people going to and from work  and know they are there even if I do not go out to join them.
The view from my window tonight



















10 comments:

  1. Quite a change!
    But Mt. Hood is beautiful, so if there is still a chance of you seeing it in the winter - great!
    I don´t like the idea of chopping trees down either. We have quite a lot of real old, probably even " dead " trees waiting to be removed, but they are so huge, that the matter needs thorough planning. Some close leafy trees need urgent trimming, as their branches scratch the house on windy days.
    And what about the trunks and the branches - SO much wood, we would never, ever run out of wood.
    I´m dreaming of a helicopter which would just lift them up and away...
    ( for free naturally ; ).

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    1. Hmmmm...I thought your dream could come true....until you got to the "For Free" part. Yes that does sound like a dream.

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  2. Oh dear, what a loss. Like you, I would be heartsick. Thank you for posting a picture of Mt. hood, which as you know I have a special interest in right now. Well, try to enjoy the view, but I mourn your tree with you.

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    1. Hello Sanda, Yes the photo of Mt. Hood is exactly how I saw it from my apartment window for several years. It is disappointing not to see it from my home but I do see it every day driving around town in my car and always a treat. I am very thankful for all the other trees that surround me.

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  3. Replies
    1. For sure...and not to judge as good or bad.....it just is.

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  4. That's really sad. Nice to find you blog though :)
    xo
    Sharon

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    1. Hi Sharon, What a fun surprise to find you here. Thank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to visiting you as well.

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  5. The trees are so beautiful now but you really will enjoy having more light in your apartment. We are slowly sinking into the mud out here in Hillsboro but I am loving the temperature. Be well.

    b

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    1. Thank you neighbor for visiting my blog. YES!! These temps feel GREAT! I am a heat lover and could live anywhere in the world I choose but have yet to find a place that suits me better than Portland even though I am a sun worshiper. I am also surrounded by hills and trees that are breathtaking yet each year with all the rain the mud slides begin.

      Take good care in your fine city of Hillsboro.

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