The Trees, Part 5

At our first home in Caldwell, Idaho, we had willows and a crabapple tree. And when we moved to 722--our children's true home, they would tell you--there were trees already on the property. The one maple just off the patio was perfect for tying a rope on a branch and swinging out over the back yard. 

We planted two apricot trees, one Jonathan apple, one nectarine, and two cherry trees, along the back edge of the back yard. They gave us fruit, if we could beat the birds to it, and a sense of our own resourcefulness. Very rewarding, especially feeding nectarines to our goats. I think goats are highly intelligent, very interesting animals, but that's another story.

Here, in Boise, we planted no fruit trees. Only those I have mentioned.

And here, my trees make the ground uneven, which makes mowing the lawn difficult, I am aware, and they interfere with its health and beauty. I would like a lush green lawn to look at and to lounge upon. But I love my trees. In summer they are a lovely grove, right in my front yard.

That's for starters. Actually, their significance in my life cannot be measured or expressed. But they have much to do with it--my life--beyond shade in the summer, leaves to rake in the fall, branches to catch the winter snow, hope of new life in spring. They are more than all that to me. Besides, my children know them, expect them.  Grandchildren play on them, once in a while try to climb. The trees are just part of the place and that is right.