Photograph by Sara B. Healy
It’s Picture Story Day.
I know on these days you’re used to me gabbing about the reason I took a picture, where I found the subject and what it means to me. Basically, I talk too much:~)
Not today.
Your challenge today is to look at this picture and share whatever you want about it in the comment box. To get your brain moving, consider these questions:
If it wasn’t a tree, what would it be?
What happened to this tree?
What do you feel when you look at it?
As usual, if I didn’t ask the question you desperately want to answer, ask and answer it yourself….just be sure to share it in the comment box.
Wow. I did this in 134 words!
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Okay, these words don’t count…but here’s a second challenge. What is my shortest Picture Story post, including the title? Check this out in the Picture Story category on the left. You have to go back in time for this one:~)
These words don’t count either because they’re a reminder. The Calendar Giveaway ends on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 5:00PM EST. As we’re a global community, there’s no way I can figure out what time this is for you. Therefore, if you’re not sure, go here:~)
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
It looks to me like the tree is waving a flag – surrendering to its demise perhaps?
That blue sky is gorgeous! We won’t be seeing that particular shade of blue in my part of the world until next summer and I miss it already!
.-= Talon´s last blog ..Record breaking… =-.
@ Talon — I went back to the picture and looked at again. I could see what you are picturing! Actually, since that day, we haven’t seen much blue sky either. We’ve got all the cloudy days, but our temps are in the 70′s to 80′s Fahrenheit. Makes for a muggy and warm day:~)
A reflection of me when I don’t take care of myself. Yuk.
@ Tess — You are so funny:~)
Hi Sara – When I look at it I feel connected to something old. Maybe more aware of the cycle of life. The juxtaposition of the old shaggy tree with the brilliant blue sky interests me, makes me curious.
.-= Patty – Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..The Ritual of Return =-.
@ Patty — I agree about the cycle of life. While the dead tree sort of saddened me, I’m also aware that many creatures benefit from it’s demise. That’s the cool thing about life…it recycles:~)
I am the opposite of Tess. When I look at the tree I think how come nature is always beautiful and why is it that what people make is never always beautiful. Even in decay nature looks wonderful, decaying manufactured stuff always looks yuk.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Don’t let change in your circumstances fool you. =-.
@ Wilma — So true…natural materials do have a beauty and a purpose in their death whereas manufactured things like plastic do not. Not to be morbid, but I always wondered why we bury people in coffins that never decay. I always thought it would be better to let nature take it course.:~)
Sara,
Wrinkly but still full of love and life 
I look at that tree…and i dont think its dead..cause it has one big branch shaped much like a hand pointing towards the sky…as if it was asking for divine energy and striking an awesome pose all at the same time
In my eyes…its still alive and thriving….just looks different.
Its much like our self really…even when we grow old we will not stop thriving and striking awesome poses…atleast I wont
I will be the happening grandma
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s last blog ..The Decision To Be You =-.
@ Zeenat — Perhaps the soul of the tree is still alive! I like the thought that when you grow old you will be striking “awesome poses” and thriving…then again, knowing your energy…this wouldn’t surprise me:~)
Hi Sara! I see a “provider” – and a survivor. I think of all of the “nature” this tree has given life to – and it is still doing that by being a perch for birds to land on. One of my favorite things to paint – trees – Wanted: Dead or Alive!
Besides this post, it looked at quick glance, like the Flowers one you did has the least verbage – was that the question or am I forever off-base? ha!
.-= suzen´s last blog ..Consenting to Feel Icky =-.
@ Suzen — You are funny…I like that about painting trees…”Wanted: Dead or Alive!” I didn’t know that you liked painting. Is your header your own creation? If so, it’s really cool. You should consider putting some of your work up on your site. I love to see the creativity of other people:~)
You’re the first person who actually addressed the second challenge. You’re close, but there are a couple of Picture Story posts that are even shorter…they’re much older ones. I love that you looked and that you made a guess. Thanks:~)
Hi Sara — to me, it looks like a primitive deer-god that, unlike regular deer, stands on its hind legs, and roars in defiance and triumph at the moon. (See how its head is bent backward as it roars and its arms are outstretched to the sky?)
@Chris — I adore this side of you!! It’s amazing what you can see in a picture. Bravo to you for the wonderful description. I love that the deer “stands on its hind legs, and roars in defiance and triumph at the moon” :~)
The first thing I thought of was, “Why did you take a picture of this tree?” Isn’t that funny… cause that’s the very thing you chose to not put into this post. I don’t think this is a tree at all. I think JC is just holding up a big stick
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Poem #6: Oh, Those Crotchety Years =-.
@ Davina — Nope, it was a tree. As to why I took the picture, that’s a good question. Sometimes I look at things and I just have capture them in a photo. Sometimes this habit drives JC crazy, especially if I’m accompanying him at golf and we have to stop on the way to his ball so I can take a picture. Actually, sometimes he just drops me off and lets me walk to catch up with him. When JC is playing golf, you don’t mess with him:~)
I think dead and dying trees are too much with me today…I liked the clear blue sky….why is someone not using that tree for firewood? recycling? it is only 4 degrees here tonight and after such a wind storm my gutters and house are covered in branches and fir needles and in this cold I must get up on a ladder and fix this situation before the snow and rain come on Thursday….weather anxiety rains and the tree focused me on the neighbors dead tree that could fall on my bedroom…aargh enough about trees…
! I am grumpy cold in case you could not guess
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet ~Jamie Ford =-.
@ Patricia — I can’t answer for the humans that aren’t using this tree, but take my word for it, it’s being put to good use by many non-human organisms:~) Given what you said about the weather, I can understand why the subject of trees might not be so good for you right now.
Living in Florida, I don’t have the fear of snow and ice, but because we have hurricanes, which wreck havoc on trees, I DO know the fear of a dead tree near my house. I really hope the weather will pass soon and without any damage!
Age, endurance, support, and acceptance…..I feel like that’s the message I’m getting from this tree pic.
.-= Serena´s last blog ..First day of summer & a messy space =-.
Actually, there’s one HUGE, mythic elk under that (just out of camera shot) because, you see, it’s really an antler that’s as ancient (or perhaps timeless) as its owner.
.-= Tony Single´s last blog ..Taking the Other View =-.
@ Tony — That’s a good one!!! Perhaps it was a mythical elk that stepped briefly into my world…just long enough for me to see his antlers. I like the way your mind thinks, Tony:~)