Jim, it's always a treat to read your articles. I'm proud to know you and still be in touch. I agree with you, that the years to tend to run together. At 76 now, it seems the older I get, the quicker time passes. Earlier in December, I put the outdoor lights on a pine tree in my back yard. The tree is about 10-12 feet tall now and growing taller and wider each year. It began as a tiny seed given to me as a wedding favor about 15 years ago by a former student who got married out east. The seed package said it was a Sequoia tree, but it turned out to be a sturdy pine tree. I have three of them now, as the parent tree has produced two offspring. Whenever I put the lights on, I say to myself, "Didn't I just do this, like a month or two ago?" But in fact, it was a year ago. Same with taking the lights down after the holidays. And wasn't it just last year that you were in my history class? Oh, wait, that was 43 years ago.
Jim, it's always a treat to read your articles. I'm proud to know you and still be in touch. I agree with you, that the years to tend to run together. At 76 now, it seems the older I get, the quicker time passes. Earlier in December, I put the outdoor lights on a pine tree in my back yard. The tree is about 10-12 feet tall now and growing taller and wider each year. It began as a tiny seed given to me as a wedding favor about 15 years ago by a former student who got married out east. The seed package said it was a Sequoia tree, but it turned out to be a sturdy pine tree. I have three of them now, as the parent tree has produced two offspring. Whenever I put the lights on, I say to myself, "Didn't I just do this, like a month or two ago?" But in fact, it was a year ago. Same with taking the lights down after the holidays. And wasn't it just last year that you were in my history class? Oh, wait, that was 43 years ago.
Trees are remarkable that way. Merry Christmas!
Great to have your thoughtful company through time, Jim.
A marvelous, humane, wise voice, as always. Keep writing. The world has never needed such voices more.