Dick's Hideaway:

Dick MacKenzie - www.dickshideaway.com

Ah, the White Pine

I love White Pines.

Fifteen years ago I planted a six inch White Pine twig in the side yard. It was quickly overwhelmed by weeds and other faster growing shrubs. Every year I surveyed the runt and half-heartedly snatched handfuls of weeds around the base and threw them to the wind.

Tonight I glanced out through a softly falling twilight snow at my little neglected tree. It has survived, and grown - grown three feet toward the sky, and is looking strong and pretty. Not yet majestic, but reaching...

Some people and relationships in my life are long-ago planted White Pines that started with great promise and joy, but became overwhelmed.

My resolution for the coming year is to clear the weeds and debris and try to nurture a growing process. It’s hard, and I don’t know how to do it, but a White Pine tree is a beacon of wonder...

Happy New Year, and wondrous good wishes, my friends.