Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:33
(all images Troup Co, Georgia / Julie Cook / 2014)
Images of trees can never ever offer the viewer of such pictures the same sense of smallness when standing in the presence of trees, be it within the enveloping forest and woods or of the grandeur of a lone tree or two dominating a yard or park reaching heavenward.
Trees are such an integral component to our lives as they offer protection, defense, housing, shelter, furniture, fuel. . . Just as they, in the midst of tempest storm, can be a device of terrible harm and destruction. Yet there just isn’t another living component on this Earth of ours which seems to offer such a towering presence of majesty, dominant beauty, power of presence, or stately purpose than that of a tree.
It is during this time of year, late summer, when I begin to watch, with keen and grand anticipation, the trees for they are the first to herald in a new season of time. Soon all of the land, in the northern hemisphere, will be ablaze with the overwhelming color of a million dazzling leaves. Red, yellow, magenta, orange, flame. . .all accented by the deep wispy greens of pines.
The silent sentinels in our lives, which like so much of this natural Earth, are most often ignored, sacrificed, or taken for granted. May we stop long enough, in the pace of our busy and hectic lives, taking time for wide eyed-wonder and observation, as well as for taking the time to offer thanks for the natural wonders and beauty which are so often over looked, forgotten or ignored. The daily gifts of beauty, strength and wonder given to us by our dear planet.
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
I absolutely love walking in the forest and I try to take my grandchildren there as often as possible. Your photos take me back to the days when I used to take my children to the forest near the cottage – we all enjoyed walking in the woods in the rain and it certainly was better than staying indoors with three little children who wanted to be outside!
nothing like being in the woods during a rain–listening to the muffled sounds of the rain hitting the leaves–reminds me of the summers I spent working as a camp counselor during college at a girls camp in North Carolina—
Happy first week of school Lynda—when might you be finished with this degree of yours eh??
Julie, I’m on the slow track for this degree – twenty courses are required and a 40-50 page thesis. I’ve completed nine courses so I’m getting there but I purposely take only two courses/semester because I want to steep myself in the material and the experience rather than just earn the marks. It is transformational. It will be a while before I graduate but I’m in no hurry for I’m not looking to be anyone other than me when I graduate.
Lynda—that is great! I love that! It’s not the degree, which is such the assumed prize, but rather your prize is for the transformation—the transformation of knowledge, of thought, of mindset, of heart and of soul.
You are a sponge and as a teacher I know, that is all any educator could ever hope for from a student—I dare say you probably don’t even need a professor–give you a few books, a library full of research material and you’re good to go—you go girl!! 🙂
When I was in Italy, I was very much of that mindset—I wanted to immerse / steep myself in the history of our faith—like a sponge. I am happy that you are enjoying this task as I know your fellow students will be blessed by your “hunger”
Hugs and love—Julie
Lovely thoughts and images. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
You do know “Phyllis” means lover of trees, right??? Awesome post and pics!!
Really???!! How cool is that!! And did you know julie (aka Julia) means youthful one 🙂
love from your friend Countess Orzo Pilaf