Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Giving Tree 
by
Sheldon Silverstein

Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.
But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.
Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, "Come, Boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy."
"I am too big to climb and play" said
the boy.
"I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?"
"I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I
have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy."
And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and be happy."
"I am too busy to climb trees," said the boy.
"I want a house to keep me warm," he said.
"I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house ?"
" I have no house," said the tree.
"The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy."
And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
"Come, Boy," she whispered,
"come and play."
"I am too old and sad to play,"
said the boy.
"I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?"
"Cut down my trunk
and make a boat," said the tree.
"Then you can sail away...
and be happy."
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.
And after a long time
the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy,"
said the tree," but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak
for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone,"
said the tree. " You
cannot swing on them - "
"I am too old to swing
on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone, " said the tree.
"You cannot climb - "
"I am too tired to climb" said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry...."
"I don't need very much now," said the boy.
"just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest."
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy. 

I made all the photographs  on Nature's Island, Dominica. I am head over heels in love with the tress on this amazing island.


Monday, December 6, 2010
My walk today took me up to the old ruins of the Leinster Bay Estate House, built back in the 1700's for James Murphy. The ruins are off of the Johnny Horn Trail, which is connected to Leinster Bay Trail on the eastern end of the beach at Waterlemon bay. The ruins are located on top of a hillside and provide an amazing view of St. John; Annaberg, Mary Point, Water Bay, Leinster Bay, and Brown Bay. One can also see Fungi Passage, between Whistling Cay and Mary Point as well as Great Thatch, Little Thatch, and Tortola. The old estate has also been called Windy Hill and The Bad Boys Home.

You can see The Bad Boys Home Ruins up on top of the hill on the right.
 Take the second right at the bush :)

 A Red Tail Hawk

 Waterlemon Cay has amazing snorkeling.

 This is the view looking over Tortola, Little Thatch, and Drakes Passage.

This is a view of Leinster Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Mary Point, and Great Thatch Island.


For the best hiking information pick up a copy of Feet, Fins & Four - Wheel Drive by Pam Gaffin.

Links to additional information and where I gathered my facts:
http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Johnny%20Horn%20Trail.htm
http://www.seestjohn.com/trails_johnny_horn.html

Thanks for stopping by my blog!



Saturday, December 4, 2010
Going to hang a few Christmas lights today in the yard and I'm debating on either the Palm Tree or the Flamboyant Tree, which just seems funny. Growing up in Maine, really makes celebrating Christmas in the Caribbean feel...well, different. I'm not saying that I miss the Christmas tree, believe it or not I could buy one here, and I definitely don't miss the snow, what I miss most is my family and everyone gathering around in the kitchen. Of course I miss all the yummy Christmas cookies that my mom bakes.

While reminiscing about pass Christmases I came across these photographs I made during a Holiday trip that I spent in Norway a few years back. Although I wasn't with my family, it was one of the warmest, and most loving memories that I have of the Christmas Holiday. I mean santa even showed up to give us all presents, it was truly magical.

 This how it looked when I first arrived in Oslo and was on the train headed north to Rykkin. 

 We all went to church on Christmas and I couldn't understand a word of Norwegian, the singing was still beautiful.



 The Vigeland Sculpture Park is in Oslo, it has 212 bronze and granite sculptures that cover over 80 acres. The sculptures where created by Gustav Vigeland and is a must see!

 Santa is digging for my present, yay!!


 This was the amazing, REALLY AMAZING, little community that I stayed in in Rykkin, Norway.
Thank you to the Gustavsen family for having me and making these memories possible.
XOXO

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