Colin, your personal magnolia may be elderly, but magnolias as a species have changed very little since prehistoric times. A heartening thought, I hope.
we had a backyard japanese maple that went brilliantly red a few years back, we loved it, photo'd it.. never realized it was its deathsong, expending the last of its anthocyanin? makes me sad now.. we love our tall cherry trees & the snowing petals here (we're e multnomah county) & this cold seems to have rid us of the Big Ants that were persecuting us.. i've seen those beetles before here though.. :o uh-oh.
I take a photo from the same spot in our front window everyday (almost:-) I didn't want to burden this post, not sure how it would deal with four photos. Anyway, I enjoy looking back and seeing the seasons come and go. We planted the tree the year he was born and named our tree after our son and we take a photo of him with the tree every year on his birthday.
Hey Colin. I've been a fan since before y'all played that show in Philly in 2003 dressed in those school uniforms.
I raise dairy goats and make cheese now. This meditation on the tree prompted me to tell you that my favorite doe is expecting two desperately wanted kids in about eight weeks. Those kids will be coming into this world with their fancy registered show names: June Hymn and The Mariner's Revenge.
(Oftentimes a goat has a triplet hidden in there, so I'm accepting suggestions if there's a surprise #3.)
Our magnolia is magnificent, forty to fifty feet tall I would estimate. It's taller than our house! We sit by our pond every night for happy hour and enjoy the waterfall, the koi, and the magnolia. No blooms yet.
Our magnolia has white blooms. It makes me happy. Most of all when it’s blooming, but also the anticipation is meaningful somehow. And every year , I reflect on whether it bloomed earlier or later; or it takes me back to the previous spring in memories. This is what people had before their photo app reminded them of the previous year, I suppose. And I was away during the bloom! My guy sent me a photo update every day.
The resilience of trees is quite remarkable, huh? Every plant is so unique.
In Middle GA, a few months ago, we had a worst frost than years past. Carelessly, we forgot to tarp and cover the lemon tree those few nights in the lowest temps, this transplanted tree that has grown steadily in its little corner of our backyard. Every branch dried up. We've since read articles, gently tending to it, hoping, fearing to cut it back.
Last week, at the bottom of the skinny trunk, a tiny green branch came back. I'm hoping this is a sure sign it's gonna stay with us! We'll never make that same mistake.
About 10 years ago we had an infestation in the small town of Ridgecrest CA. At work they were swept up on huge piles every morning, only to have more appear the next morning. They went away after a month and then came back 2 weeks later, more numerous even.
All this to say that I feel your pain.
The second time, they went away for good, and mysteriously never returned. Thankfully I no longer am in Ridgecrest!!!
The bugs have probably overwintered (which the do a people places) at yours and now cleared off. Whether they come back is another Machinist post for the future.
Clearly the Magnolia needs its own song. ❤️
It could start...'Wake up Maggie, I think I've got something to say to you.'
Well-played 😉
I think I'm onto something!! ;)
But...I don't wanna talk about it
+1 To this.
Colin, your personal magnolia may be elderly, but magnolias as a species have changed very little since prehistoric times. A heartening thought, I hope.
we had a backyard japanese maple that went brilliantly red a few years back, we loved it, photo'd it.. never realized it was its deathsong, expending the last of its anthocyanin? makes me sad now.. we love our tall cherry trees & the snowing petals here (we're e multnomah county) & this cold seems to have rid us of the Big Ants that were persecuting us.. i've seen those beetles before here though.. :o uh-oh.
Lots of King is Dead moments in this letter.
I take a photo from the same spot in our front window everyday (almost:-) I didn't want to burden this post, not sure how it would deal with four photos. Anyway, I enjoy looking back and seeing the seasons come and go. We planted the tree the year he was born and named our tree after our son and we take a photo of him with the tree every year on his birthday.
Hey Colin. I've been a fan since before y'all played that show in Philly in 2003 dressed in those school uniforms.
I raise dairy goats and make cheese now. This meditation on the tree prompted me to tell you that my favorite doe is expecting two desperately wanted kids in about eight weeks. Those kids will be coming into this world with their fancy registered show names: June Hymn and The Mariner's Revenge.
(Oftentimes a goat has a triplet hidden in there, so I'm accepting suggestions if there's a surprise #3.)
Valencia?
Is there any beauty like a magnolia in all its glory!
This story about your magnolia reminds me of Richard Powers’ The Overstory. Have you read it?
Our magnolia is magnificent, forty to fifty feet tall I would estimate. It's taller than our house! We sit by our pond every night for happy hour and enjoy the waterfall, the koi, and the magnolia. No blooms yet.
😮
Reminds me of the song, Magnolia Tree by Truckstop Honeymoon. Lovely song, paying homage to the tree and to the couple's final resting place.
https://youtu.be/f8OgnWSOTKA
Hi Colin, did you know you can eat Magnolia petals? they taste like ginger. They can be pickled .. I haven’t done that yet - recipes online though 😉
Our magnolia has white blooms. It makes me happy. Most of all when it’s blooming, but also the anticipation is meaningful somehow. And every year , I reflect on whether it bloomed earlier or later; or it takes me back to the previous spring in memories. This is what people had before their photo app reminded them of the previous year, I suppose. And I was away during the bloom! My guy sent me a photo update every day.
I love all you post. Keep up the cheer
Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
The resilience of trees is quite remarkable, huh? Every plant is so unique.
In Middle GA, a few months ago, we had a worst frost than years past. Carelessly, we forgot to tarp and cover the lemon tree those few nights in the lowest temps, this transplanted tree that has grown steadily in its little corner of our backyard. Every branch dried up. We've since read articles, gently tending to it, hoping, fearing to cut it back.
Last week, at the bottom of the skinny trunk, a tiny green branch came back. I'm hoping this is a sure sign it's gonna stay with us! We'll never make that same mistake.
About 10 years ago we had an infestation in the small town of Ridgecrest CA. At work they were swept up on huge piles every morning, only to have more appear the next morning. They went away after a month and then came back 2 weeks later, more numerous even.
All this to say that I feel your pain.
The second time, they went away for good, and mysteriously never returned. Thankfully I no longer am in Ridgecrest!!!
The bugs have probably overwintered (which the do a people places) at yours and now cleared off. Whether they come back is another Machinist post for the future.