Arapaho Bend Natural Area,  natural areas,  Plants,  trees

Respect Our Elders

June 4, 2014
Cottonwood tre
Cottonwood tree

Have you ever just reached out and touched a tree trunk, stopped to touch a leaf or knelt down to just observe a fallen leaf or a broken branch? Have you spent time just looking as intently and as closely as possible? The more time I spend in nature the more I am fascinated with trees whether it is a grove of aspens, poplars along a river bank or a cottonwood standing alone on the horizon. So, my answer to those questions, yes.

As a young boy visiting relatives in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, my cousins and I would go fishing for catfish down on one the creeks. It always seemed like more fun to explore the creek than sit on the bank and watch a red and white bobber float on the muddy water. I ran through the fields catching grasshoppers. I climbed the trees along the creek banks and when tired laid down in the shade they offered. Fond memories for me.

Trees are one of the almost endless miracles of nature. There are unsupported statements that the cottonwood tree dates back to the Cretaceous Period, about 145 million years ago and possibly to the Jurassic Period – 200 million years ago. Makes our lifetime miniscule. I was taught to respect our elders and as I move more towards being an elder myself I grow in my respect for nature as one of my elders.

Retired. Having fun with photography. Journal daily. Meditate daily. Learning haiku/poetry. Have a love for fountain pens.

4 Comments

  • John

    June 4, 2014 at 8:41 am

    I share your love of trees (and nature). I have a few cottonwoods on my property and in the neighborhood so my only gripe is the mess they make about this time of year. My view our of my screen porch nearly disappears until I hose if off. And the trees are not noted for their strength againts strong winds (I have a few giants candilevering over my roof!).

    But I love the shade and love the look. I am happy they are there.