Clearing the mind in the trees. Saying Goodbye.

 

There are times when we need to be with the trees, and away from some of the human madness.

Time after time I wonder why we can't learn. Why are we be as barbaric as the human ancestors who threw rocks and carried clubs.
 The little plaques in the frame above denote historic moments in the course of the 2000 years of this tree's life. We've been killing our best for at least that long. There have been marvelous discoveries and advances. But the beast in us is still on the prowl.

Why can't we learn? Notice below how four trees grew together, a family, increasing their common strength and well being. 

 

For at least a couple thousand years these citizens of planet earth have endured.

By comparison humankind is short sighted, destructive and transitory.

 Just being in the presence of these old giants is good for the soul.

A couple of side notes now-

Look at this forest color scheme starring a banana slug.

And is this how you spend your time at the beach?

Thinking of fitness, please allow me a couple of farewells to tennis pals...one is a see you later, the other is good bye.

I estimate that at least 90% of the hours I've spent on the tennis court since I began playing the game about 14 years ago have been in the company of Roy Evans.

Roy is a quiet and thoughtful Welshman. We competed in doubles at least two days a week for most of those years and there were years when we were on the court together 3 times a week.

We called him the Welsh gazelle because his speed and quickness got him to some impossible gets.

There was never a cross word between us. We loved the game and the complete focus it requires. Whether we were on the same side of the net or trying to beat each other, we loved the joy of simply being able to play.

Roy has moved north to be closer to family. The courts seem strange without him and his brightly colored shoes.

Thanks for all the great fun.

We say good by to Jess Bathke.

Jess was an active player when I first started learning the game. He'd been the Club president and seemed to be a friend to everyone. Over the years I improved enough to play at his level and we became friends. He was a community giver and led organizations that  provided community services.

A couple of years ago when I faced surgery, Jess, who had been through it, was an assuring friend letting me know that soon enough I'd get back to normal and be able to return to the courts. We were coffee group conversationalists and usually on the same side of issues. We had lunch with other tennis pals and always Jess was the class act of the group. He was a man with a deep faith, the kind of person who uplifts and is a joy to be around. 

On the court he was a tough competitor. We discovered that before tennis, we had been basketball players, our favorite game. But age made tennis our new game and we threw ourselves into it.

Jess had to give up the game during the early days of Covid and it was tough, but age had taken it's toll.

A week ago Jess had a full and busy day with his beloved Pat. That evening he had a steak dinner, a couple of glasses of wine. He watched some TV, played solitaire on his computer and went to sleep. And he was gone from this world.

If anyone deserves the peace and mercy of such a passing, it is Jess.

Jess was 88 and had been active, competitive and skilled player until 86. His age and his movement on the court was incongruous to most.

I learned when I began playing in his doubles groups, that he always sat on the bench between end changes and breaks. 

Just a brief rest and recharge. 

When I got back to the courts after my surgery I started doing the same thing. I continue to do that and now it will be a way of remembering a good player, a good friend and a really good man!  

Milky Way "cloud" and star field in Cambria 6/1/22.

See you down the trail.