Here's a Lensbaby shot from the Tremont area in the Smokies. Just a few more abstracts after this, and I'll be done with this series. :-)

The North American Photobloggers Meet-up is this year in Chicago, April 27-29: northamerica.photobloggers.org. Sign up. Go.

Listening to "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash and "Run On" by Moby -- listen to them and you will see why I listed them both together :-)

"God, what a joy it is to plant a tree,
And from the sallow earth to watch it rise,
Lifting its emerald branches to the skies
In silent adoration; and to see
Its strength and glory waxing with each spring.
Yes, 'tis a goodly, and a gladsome thing
To plant a tree.

Nature has many marvels; but a tree
Seems more than marvellous. It is divine.
So generous, so tender, so benign.
Not garrulous like the rivers; and yet free
In pleasant converse with the winds and birds;
Oh! privilege beyond explaining words,
To plant a tree.

Rocks are majestic; but, unlike a tree,
They stand aloof, and silent. In the roar
Of ocean billows breaking on the shore
There sounds the voice of turmoil. But a tree
Speaks ever of companionship and rest.
Yea, of all righteous acts, this, this is best,
To plant a tree.

There is an oak (oh! how I love that tree)
Which has been thriving for a hundred years;
Each day I send my blessing through the spheres
To one who gave this triple boon to me,
Of growing beauty, singing birds, and shade.
Wouldst thou win laurels that shall never fade?"
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox, "Go Plant a Tree"

Posted on 22 January, 2007 (14)
EXIF: Canon EOS 20D : 1/250s : f : : iso 100 : lens