I’m with Nell Ann…impossible choice, of when is the best time of day to read a Connie Schultz Substack piece…another touching story. Love Sherrod’s recitation of Kilmer’s ode to trees with grandson Milo. For some reason I don’t totally understand, one of my favorite poems for children is one about a Puffin, and I have recited it to my grandkids many, many times….but I also love trees! During the height of the pandemic, I discovered what was for me, a new species of tree, one more beautiful than any I had seen before…a tricolor beech tree, with leaves that are kind of light green, with a white stripe, and a pink edge…and the pink stays the whole season of leafing…it’s a slow growing tree, likes to be under larger trees, looks kind of Japanese to me somehow…I fell in love. We bought one a year ago, had it planted right next to our front door, but it didn’t survive. I was heartbroken! We had to wait a year for our arborist to find a new one for us, and I have been treating it exceedingly tenderly and carefully all summer…it doesn’t like the hot weather and I’ve had the arborist drop by to check on it frequently! it seems to have made it through, and I’m hoping it will return with strength after the winter…I talk to it just about every day. It’s definitely not a climbing to escape tree, strictly ornamental, but so graceful and lovely.
I loved to climb trees too and spent hours of my summers in them. I did occasionally have to hide from the tree owners who unexpectedly returned from town trapping me high in the branches. They never saw me though because I kept still and silent.
Beautiful story. I loved it. Also, I’m reminded of my oldest daughter, the oldest of five, who also climbed a tree in our yard to read. It was her private and quiet spot where the others couldn’t find her.
and we want you to keep writing... forever and ever. The only reason I just upgraded to paid subscriber is that it's the only way I have of telling you how much I appreciate your writing.
I loved climbing trees in my childhood, loved being so far about the ground and seeing the bigger view of the neighborhood and beyond. I always had a thing for high spots - including sitting on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen, for no other reason than because I liked it up there.
It's interesting when you consider from kindergarten through 8th grade, I was already THE tallest person in my grade - not just the tallest girl or the tallest in my homeroom. I'm 5'9" and have been since the beginning of 7th grade. So I already peered over everyone's head, but somehow the fridge or the tree was just the "more" I needed.
Speaking of peering over someone's head. In 2018 when I ran for Congress in the OH10th, we were at the Beavercreek 4th of July Festival finishing up details on the trailer. My campaign manager told me Mike DeWine was behind me. I turned to find him and literally looked all over until I thought to look down. He really is a diminutive little guy.
I’m writing postcards for our dear Sherrod, along with those to low-turnout Democrats in GA and NC! I so wish I lived in Ohio so I could vote for Sherrod, yet I’m very grateful to live in RI, which has a solidly Democratic Congressional delegation…
And, as a former attorney turned freelance writer, I so admire your “way with words”! Sometimes lyrical, sometimes poignant, yet always inspiring and touching!
We had a regal old cottonwood in the backyard that was accessible from the roof of the shed. Yes, I got there as often as I could. Once I decided to do a skin the cat on the bottom branch that was just right size. Whoosh! One of my pigtails got caught and I was hollering, "Someone get me down!" Mom came out with scissors and cut off my pigtail. It took me.a long time to forgive her.
I loved this piece about trees. We lived in front of acres of farmland in western NY. On hot Saturday afternoons in the summer I would travel west from my house with a packed lunch and a book. I’d travel as if I were on the Oregon Trail. I’d climb a tree for lunch and drink water from a canteen. What a great adventure. When I was done I walked back home.
I so agree. I’ve loved trees my whole life but reading The Overstory transformed my love into a profound reverence for every single one on this precious planet we call home.
Our (my sister & me) hiding place was a walnut tree. We'd grab a low hanging branch and swing ourselves to the next higher branch then up to a pair of forked branches where we could sit and talk for hours...or until our mother gave up calling for us.
Oldest of 5 here. I used to climb a ladder onto the roof when I needed alone time - even though I don't love heights, and it takes me a moment to transition from ladder to roof or roof to ladder! Books and the roof - escapism at its best, though no trees and shade up there. Loved the reminder.
My reading and writing place was my bedroom. I had the opposite problem most others are describing -- no brothers or sisters and my mother worked downtown so my grandma lived with us and watched over me. Thus my friends lived largely in my books -- or, many of them, in the books I got from the Bookmobile, parked in the grocery store lot every Saturday. The only one who lived with me all the time was Nancy Drew -- the original one, not the post 1959 version with fancier clothes and boy friend issues. I devoured all those adventures, and when I tried to write ones of my own, I couldn't even imagine any similar adventures. SO....my first writing was a neighborhood newspaper, typed on an old Smith Corona, manual, of course. One page, two columns, with carbon paper, I could do three at a time, though the third one was rather faint. I interviewed neighbors for the stories -- a lost (and later found) puppy, a new recipe for pickles, a cousin coming to visit. No hidden staircases or broken lockets of whispering statues, but it got me started as a writer.
we had an apple tree we use to climb when i was a kid ('60's). my brothers use to climb a REALLY tall maple tree. gave my mom a heart attack every time. ah, the good old days!!
I’m with Nell Ann…impossible choice, of when is the best time of day to read a Connie Schultz Substack piece…another touching story. Love Sherrod’s recitation of Kilmer’s ode to trees with grandson Milo. For some reason I don’t totally understand, one of my favorite poems for children is one about a Puffin, and I have recited it to my grandkids many, many times….but I also love trees! During the height of the pandemic, I discovered what was for me, a new species of tree, one more beautiful than any I had seen before…a tricolor beech tree, with leaves that are kind of light green, with a white stripe, and a pink edge…and the pink stays the whole season of leafing…it’s a slow growing tree, likes to be under larger trees, looks kind of Japanese to me somehow…I fell in love. We bought one a year ago, had it planted right next to our front door, but it didn’t survive. I was heartbroken! We had to wait a year for our arborist to find a new one for us, and I have been treating it exceedingly tenderly and carefully all summer…it doesn’t like the hot weather and I’ve had the arborist drop by to check on it frequently! it seems to have made it through, and I’m hoping it will return with strength after the winter…I talk to it just about every day. It’s definitely not a climbing to escape tree, strictly ornamental, but so graceful and lovely.
I loved to climb trees too and spent hours of my summers in them. I did occasionally have to hide from the tree owners who unexpectedly returned from town trapping me high in the branches. They never saw me though because I kept still and silent.
Beautiful story. I loved it. Also, I’m reminded of my oldest daughter, the oldest of five, who also climbed a tree in our yard to read. It was her private and quiet spot where the others couldn’t find her.
and we want you to keep writing... forever and ever. The only reason I just upgraded to paid subscriber is that it's the only way I have of telling you how much I appreciate your writing.
I loved climbing trees in my childhood, loved being so far about the ground and seeing the bigger view of the neighborhood and beyond. I always had a thing for high spots - including sitting on top of the refrigerator in the kitchen, for no other reason than because I liked it up there.
It's interesting when you consider from kindergarten through 8th grade, I was already THE tallest person in my grade - not just the tallest girl or the tallest in my homeroom. I'm 5'9" and have been since the beginning of 7th grade. So I already peered over everyone's head, but somehow the fridge or the tree was just the "more" I needed.
Speaking of peering over someone's head. In 2018 when I ran for Congress in the OH10th, we were at the Beavercreek 4th of July Festival finishing up details on the trailer. My campaign manager told me Mike DeWine was behind me. I turned to find him and literally looked all over until I thought to look down. He really is a diminutive little guy.
I just love, love, love this!!🥰
I’m writing postcards for our dear Sherrod, along with those to low-turnout Democrats in GA and NC! I so wish I lived in Ohio so I could vote for Sherrod, yet I’m very grateful to live in RI, which has a solidly Democratic Congressional delegation…
And, as a former attorney turned freelance writer, I so admire your “way with words”! Sometimes lyrical, sometimes poignant, yet always inspiring and touching!
Vote Blue, everyone!
We had a regal old cottonwood in the backyard that was accessible from the roof of the shed. Yes, I got there as often as I could. Once I decided to do a skin the cat on the bottom branch that was just right size. Whoosh! One of my pigtails got caught and I was hollering, "Someone get me down!" Mom came out with scissors and cut off my pigtail. It took me.a long time to forgive her.
I loved this piece about trees. We lived in front of acres of farmland in western NY. On hot Saturday afternoons in the summer I would travel west from my house with a packed lunch and a book. I’d travel as if I were on the Oregon Trail. I’d climb a tree for lunch and drink water from a canteen. What a great adventure. When I was done I walked back home.
When you have time, do read The Overstory by Richard Parker. You will love trees even more.
I so agree. I’ve loved trees my whole life but reading The Overstory transformed my love into a profound reverence for every single one on this precious planet we call home.
I love this! You are such a beautiful writer but this inspired me so much! I love how you bring your childhood experiences into these discussions.
Our (my sister & me) hiding place was a walnut tree. We'd grab a low hanging branch and swing ourselves to the next higher branch then up to a pair of forked branches where we could sit and talk for hours...or until our mother gave up calling for us.
Oldest of 5 here. I used to climb a ladder onto the roof when I needed alone time - even though I don't love heights, and it takes me a moment to transition from ladder to roof or roof to ladder! Books and the roof - escapism at its best, though no trees and shade up there. Loved the reminder.
My reading and writing place was my bedroom. I had the opposite problem most others are describing -- no brothers or sisters and my mother worked downtown so my grandma lived with us and watched over me. Thus my friends lived largely in my books -- or, many of them, in the books I got from the Bookmobile, parked in the grocery store lot every Saturday. The only one who lived with me all the time was Nancy Drew -- the original one, not the post 1959 version with fancier clothes and boy friend issues. I devoured all those adventures, and when I tried to write ones of my own, I couldn't even imagine any similar adventures. SO....my first writing was a neighborhood newspaper, typed on an old Smith Corona, manual, of course. One page, two columns, with carbon paper, I could do three at a time, though the third one was rather faint. I interviewed neighbors for the stories -- a lost (and later found) puppy, a new recipe for pickles, a cousin coming to visit. No hidden staircases or broken lockets of whispering statues, but it got me started as a writer.
Hi Connie, I am happy that you became a writer; reading your column first in the PD, and in other places since has been a real pleasure.
we had an apple tree we use to climb when i was a kid ('60's). my brothers use to climb a REALLY tall maple tree. gave my mom a heart attack every time. ah, the good old days!!