Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 15:47:29 -0500
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Long shadows . . .
Today, Sunday was one of those near perfect winter days. Warmish, brilliant sun. I said early on that I would get out and enjoy the day. One thing led to another and I didn’t get out until nearly two o’clock. It was still sunny. The cats decided we should go for a walk in the woods. The sun was streaming thru the trees and bouncing off the bright dry brown leaves. As I walked I could see the green leaves of the Crane Fly Orchid with their rich purple backs, popping up like little spring banners. I said to myself, “Your leaves are a lot bolder than your blooms”- The tall flower spike in mid summer is very difficult to see, unless you know exactly what you are looking for. And if you do find one, inspect it closely- It is a work of art.
The tall tree trunks cast wide dark shadows and in the shadows it was cold- But if you stepped just right, and turned your back to the sun, you were in imaginary Florida- or at least Wilmington.I would pick a hot sunny spot and sit on my little plastic chair. Seldom could I get all four legs even, for a comfortable sit. At least one leg of the chair insisted on sinking two or three inches lower in the ground than others. And while sitting and trying to adjust my spine to the peculiar position, one or two cats would decide I had something good going and jump up on my lap- jostling everything out of kahoots and then look at me as if I had done something silly.
Of course, the fast moving shadows moved at the same rate as the fast moving sun and it was much quicker than I would have liked. I moved that chair at least five times in thirty minutes. But I kept dreaming of my place in the sun, and thinking how it won’t be that long until I do the reverse and search for the shade that protects me from the heat.
How I love the land- I just can’t imagine life without walking on, smelling and touching it. Apartments and concrete paving are a way of life for some- I know, I have been there, done that and know the feeling- And a lot of us do have other ‘shadowed down’ feelings this time of the year. A friend was kind enough to send me this old timer’s quip- “The Sap’s down, Shug!”
N.A. Booko
N.A. Booko lives in Chatham County and plans to hang the old sap bucket early, to the nearest maple in hopes that Shug will soon be there . . .