Saturday, May 9, 2009

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around . . .

I haven't been able to write for the past couple of days. I think someone maybe hit the nail on the head when they suggested it may be my thyroid medication. The dosage was lessened last week, so that’s true. Combined with the near week-straight of rain that we’ve had, my bandaged finger, and my life in general, it took a tree to make it all come crashing down. Literally.

I live in an old house on 20 acres. There are many trees on this acreage, and I see the surrounding woods reaching out and taking so many of them with the vines they send forth. It’s sad, actually. One such tree had died years ago. Many years ago. It’s close to the house, too and should have been removed immediately but it stayed here, gathering honeysuckle, wild grapevines and the dreaded of all vines, poison ivy.

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After the deluge we’ve had the past week, a big part of that dead tree came down in a storm Wednesday night. And when that section came down, it split the lilac bush that was growing next to it right in half. I’d venture to guess that the lilac is at least 40-50 years old.

My husband told me that he could take care of the section that had come down. He said it would give him something to do. So I went to work and hoped that he’d be careful with his chainsaw. And when I came home, the tree was still there, untouched and still lying over the pack patio as well. He said that it had so much poison ivy on it that he couldn’t even think of touching it and I don’t blame him. I think a professional needs to come and haul it away and take the rest of the dead tree with it. It looks terrible and is my view now when I sit at the breakfast nook table to eat meals.

And surprisingly, it made me so sad. I couldn’t believe how much a simple tree falling could affect me! But it took the lilac bush with it and I’m just afraid that it will lie there for a long time before anyone comes to do something with it because of all the poison ivy growing on it. It’s an eyesore and I won’t even take a photo of it because it bothers me so much.

I mean, it’s not just the tree. There’s more but I don’t want to get into it. I don’t think my husband would appreciate it.

So today I went to the mall. It was not a very fruitful mission, although it was a long mission. I must have tried on 18 pairs of khaki capri slacks and not a one suited. The power went out while I was at the bra store, they didn't have the camera lens I was looking for at the camera shop and a host of other little things that were bound and determined to get me down but I persevered. And in the end, I got something for my mother-in-law for tomorrow and I got myself a pedicure. It was heaven, even though the gentleman who did my tootsies had a shirt that proclaimed that he was The Man from Nantucket. No lie. Lawsie mercy.

P234000_hero Then I came home and poured a vodka and grapefruit and went online and bought this after receiving an e-mail announcing it. It’s Sephora’s Sun Safety Kit. It’s a collection of trial-size SPF 13’s from brands like Philosophy, Bare Escentuals, Murad, Korres and Smashbox in a little backpack. It’s a $110 value on sale now for $22.50. And it delivers a 100% net profit donation to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

And I also splurged and got my favorite shampoo in the world, Ojon. And I can’t wait to wash my hair using both hands. I mean, I can’t wait to everything using two hands. Typing hasn’t been too awful but everything else from making a bed to searching for keys to trying on khaki slacks has been slow. And annoying.

So that’s why I haven’t been able to post, or much of anything lately. I know there are those that have it much worse than these little things and my heart goes out to you.

And that’s all I have to say about that. (Name that movie line).

Love, and until tomorrow my friends,

Doris, I hear you. I think of you often and wish you well. Alisa, I don’t know how you do it sometimes. All the time.

21 comments:

Sue said...

Forrest Gump....famous movie line...we are a family of movie trivia!! Don't let the tree get you down....it could have been worse, it could have come through the house...Here in Georgia that happens to someone everytime we have a storm....we have a whopper of a dead tree on our lawn and I told the husband it needs to come down but he won't listen so i expect to die one night when it crashs through our bedroom....on a lighter note...I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day tomorrow and that your finger is getting better and that your husband was smart enough not to touch the poison ivy.....Sue

Country Girl said...

Yep, Sue. It's Forrest Gump! And I am truly blessed it didn't come through the house. The house has 3-foot thick stone walls, so I think we're good. And I'm lucky in so many ways.

~ C.G.

Coloradolady said...

Oh, I feel ya'. My husband left today for a week, and before I could even open my eyes, I get a call from my daughter that a truck tire blew out in front of her on the freeway, hit her car, and she was a blubbering mess. Not hurt, only the car...my husband freaks over anything that has to do with the cars! So I had to assess the damage and deal with that, cancel a mothers day lunch (early) with my mom and aunt, and I could tell my mom was not too pleased....sh*t happens alright....somedays, I get so tired of it all....it just seems like when it rains, it pours....hopefully, you will have a peaceful weekend. Sorry about the darn tree, I can only imagine what a mess that is...and by the way, my husband is so allergic to poison ivy, the smell of it will cause hives!

Kathleen Stoltzfus said...

I know what you mean about the week of rain! The evening before the sun came out, I was ready to commit mayhem - or at least spend the day at the mall so I wouldn't have to see any more overcast and clouds for awhile. Really, I was fit to be tied. I had fully planned to do that, but then the next day we got sunshine, thank goodness!

Anonymous said...

Forrest Gump of course! Tons of rain here too, but a breeze popped up today and dried the yard enough that Hubby could mow. I wish I had a lilac bush even if it was a half a lilac bush.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Kentucky Farm Girl said...

Lots and lots of rain here too! I am so thankful for the sunshine today. It was starting to get a little depressing. I am so sorry about your tree and your lilac bush! Hope you get that bandage off soon!

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping it's the constant rain, and when the sun comes out, my attitude will adjust appropriately. I'm hoping the same for you. That said...pass the vodka...

Kathy's Klothesline said...

I am suffering a bit of melancholy myself....and seems like everything that can go wrong does lately. I hope you are feeling better soon and all is right in your world. Happy Mother's Day!

Deb said...

Oh, Kate. What can I say but you have to have hope because without hope, life kinda sucks.
I am sending you a beautiful sun shiny day, no, week so that you begin to feel better.
We won't talk about the lilac bush.
Hug your husband and give him a 10 second kiss. you'll feel better.
xoxo

cottage farm villa said...

Kate dear, so sorry to hear about the tree and the Lilac Bush. I know just how you are feeling. It would bring me down too...just thinking of all the time they lived and bloomed and storms they weathered. No, don't show us a picture....it would be too sad for us too. I am happy to hear that hubby did realize it wasn't safe for him to get near it. I know you will push forward through this "downer" of a time. We have to count the blessing that WE DO have each and everyday.

The 10 second kiss sounds like it will work, and always a long brisk walk! Smiles to you on Mother's Day!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Sounds like my week! We've been deluged with rain - it's like the monsoons down here! And the one day it didn't rain, my dog alerted me to a poisonous cottonmouth snake coiled up in my garden (my son shot it with a pellet gun)! It was just so unsettling--I think I need some of that spiked grapefruit juice you drink!

Unknown said...

I think that lots of us have a "case of the Monday's" after two weeks with so much rain and so little sun - can you name that movie? And when you add to it your finger and med change, it's no wonder you sound so sad.

Hugs from your NJ blog friend.

KathyB. said...

I completely understand the finger thing...it always surprises me how a hurt finger can make the simplest things in life more difficult and painful and before I know it I have rearranged my life around a finger..A FINGER!!!!

I am sorry about the other things that have conspired with the weather to bring the tree AND you down, and I hope your Mother's day brings a bit of delight and joy to you in spite of all else...

You know, we had 2 trees come through our home 2 years ago and it was not fun! The house, yard, well, our whole place was a wreck, but eventually.....things just have a way of working out.Good thing you are not dealing with that kind of situation.But a sad scene outside your window is a constant reminder of what was!Can you root some of the lilac for the future?

Egghead said...

Kate life can really suck some days and sometimes those days seem very long. Head up.......you are so strong. Hugs to you and your husband. I have a red sun burned nose from the first non rainy days in weeks. I look like Rudolph...does that make you feel better? I need that kit.

Woman in a Window said...

Hang in there. Sometimes it's the little things that add up and drive us over the end. Last week a series of little things had me in tears, while the bigger things stand untouched. What is that all about? But it feels real, and that makes it so.

I understand the sadness at the loss of a tree, the second loss of an established bush, and the not being able to do a thing about it. I understand. I hear you. And I hope for you, too.

Tammy said...

A few years ago we had a tree come down and it cut in half a beautiful Deodara Cedar we had planted in honor of our son's birth. We couldn't save it and I was heartbroken. I understand what your feeling.

A little retail therapy can be benefical to the blahs. I'm glad you finally found something to help you feel a little better.

Chocolate Cat said...

Sometimes its a little thing that signals so much more. It may have been just a tree falling but it took out the lilac and was the last straw. I'm thinking of you and hoping its not long until you can smile again xx

ELK said...

we had to remove 2 old oaks in our yard and I cried...such a part of my vision

Char said...

hope you're feeling better. we have been lucky with the storms so far.

Mary said...

Oh Kate, I spent half of Mother's Day crying... rain, hormones, clothes that don't fit, hormones, messy house, hormones...

I hope some sunnier times will come your way soon. :)

xoxo,
Mary

Hilary said...

In catch up mode here, but just wanted to stop by as I read this post. I imagine the fallen tree and damaged lilac very disheartening. Coupled with your sore finger and other stresses. I hope things have settled down for you since.