Monday, August 4, 2008

Looking out my window

As most of you know AOL has fixed the problem and ALERTS are back on !!  It was a long weekend.

Everyday I look out the little window in my bathroom and see the top of this majestic Douglas Fir tree that is in my neighbor's yard.  Today I went out and took it's picture.  I was thinking that I've seen these trees all my life and I guess take their beauty for granted at times. But for those who live in other parts of the country they'd be a welcome addition to the landscape.  These trees literally grow like weeds in the Pacific Northwest....we cut them down by the thousands and use their wood to build structures and to make paper and in my case to burn in the wood stove during the winter.  The Weyerhaeuser Company owns thousands of acres of fir trees and as they log them off they plant new little tiny ones.  As you drive on Washington highways you'll see signs that read "Logged in 1984 & Replanted in 1985"  or what ever years these events took place.  The new trees grow rather fast compared to some species and eventually they will be logged again.  I've actually got a new tiny one here still in a plastic bag that I got at a booth at The Tall Ships Festival last month.  I don't know where to plant it.  I've already got 2 medium sized ones in my back yard and the big giant cedar tree in the front yard.  Maybe I'll get a big planter and put it in there for now and just let it grow for awhile and then worry about planting it somewhere in a few years.  This tree in the picture is really magnificent though.  I wish you all could see it in person.  Towards the top it is actually covered in cones...full of seeds for new little trees.   I'm glad they don't all germinate and grow otherwise we'd be living in a thick forest.  You can see the cones in the picture if you look real close........                    

                     

As I said at the beginning, alerts are back on.  And my AOL in-box will be backed up soon.  I'm having company for dinner today, Wednesday is Book Club and in between I'll be continuing to get stuff together for the carport/yard sale on Friday & Saturday.  So I can't promise I'll be around on a regular basis.  Have a good week ~ until next time,  Linda

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful tree, I would not mind a seed from that believe me.  Douglas Firs are not seen in this part of our country mainly because nobody has ever planted them here I suppose.  Yes, it is great to get alerts back up.  Was very strange over the weekend without them.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tree ! It's majestic.

Jimmy

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful specimen Linda! I love trees, I wouldn't hug them though! Lol! We do take for granted the beauty around us don't we? Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

Nice entry Linda.  And yes, a beautiful tree that God made.
Hugs, Joyce

Anonymous said...

That sure IS a nice tree.  I think Maples are the popular ones here on the East Coast.   We have one in the back yard that worries me if we ever have a HURRICANE.  Marlene

Anonymous said...

what an awesome tree!!! so glad they replant what they harvest for our use :)

enjoy your week :)

betty

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tree.... sure wish we had more in my area.... we just need more green in general... hate living in the city.

Joann

Anonymous said...

What a lovely fir tree Linda!  I can see the tops of a large tree through the skylight in our small bathroom as well.  The doves like to sit in it quite often, so that's an extra bonus!  Sounds like you have a lovely and very busy week ahead planned!  I hope you managed to get everything done that you want to!
love,
Marie
http://ayearatoakcottage.blogspot.com/

PS  My actual birthday is on the 13th.  13 has always been my lucky number!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tree!!!
YEAH!!! Alerts are back!!!

Sharon

Anonymous said...

Morning Linda,

Up again WAY to early....love to catch Robin Meade from CNN...her smile is a great way to start the day..

Should really watch more of my own country's news..but find American reporters more animated.

Looking forward to our time together.


Blessings

Lori

Anonymous said...

That tree looks enormous! It is so pretty. Yep, I got my alerts coming in today...lets hope everything is working right again. :) Kelly

Anonymous said...

I have seen those trees before and they do get huge! I like the way they look in the winter when they have snow covering the branches.
Kelli
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom