Destruction & Beauty

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities

of the universe about us,

the less taste we shall have for destruction.”

Rachel Carson

This morning, it was easy to focus on the wonders of the universe about us. We are living in an icy paradise this morning. It's not too often that the forest behind our house looks white.

If I were a detective, there would be some clues as to just when this little cedar tree bent over with its icy load. The icicles seems to be defying gravity. It's like they are flying in the wind.

We lost a lanky maple. Understandable. It grew up when there were a lot of ash trees around it. It needed to grow tall to find sunlight. When the ash trees died and were cut down, it had no support. It didn't take much extra weight to bring it down.

Spireas have very strong branches.....

... as do crabapples. Last year on this day, a flock of Cedar Waxwings swooped in and feasted on the crabapples. It would be a bit of a challenge to eat them today.

Chums are also very strong. Many other trees are not as strong. As I was walking around the gardens, I heard cracking sounds overlayed with big crashes every few minutes. Branches and entire trees were falling in the woods.