In case you've missed it (unlikely given that it looms so large) I'm on the list of those the government has asked to stay indoors for three months. Not just steer clear of people when going shopping or exercising but I MUSTN'T GO OUT AT ALL! However, the letter also explains a concession - I can stand on my doorstep to get some air as long as no-one comes near me.
So what happens if I stand on my doorstep and look up? This!
And what's the name of this blog? Why! Loose and Leafy!
And what's more loose and leafy than the view of these two sycamore trees? One busy blossoming and one bursting into leaf. In time, someone may help me be more precise about what kind of sycamores they are. Or maybe I should call one of them a maple? I don't know. But I do know from previous years that both have sycamore type leaves but behave differently in terms of what happens when.
So (another 'so') . . . so I'M FOLLOWING A TREE AGAIN! (Or two. Simultaneously.)
I won't be able to go to their trunks. Not now. But I'll be sure of getting the same angle every time - for I'm only 'allowed' to stand in the one place. And if I'm still stuck in my doorway come autumn, I'm sure some of their leaves will drift down for closer inspection.
Other bloggers are following trees too. Go to Pat's blog The Squirrelbasket to find out more. And maybe join in?
32 comments:
Now just you make sure that you do not stand even 10cm either side of where you are supposed to be stationed at the doorstep, otherwise I will have to send the Covid-19 enforcement squad to mete out suitable punishment. Don't look up and maintain close vigilance in case anyone comes near. Other than that enjoy the fresh air!
That's dedication! A Stuck Foot Tree Follower.
Ah, I'm glad to hear you are doing so much better and that you're arm is healing up. A broken arm would definitely hamper any kind of exercise or hobby you wanted to do. Stay safe.
Good for you. xx
Determination to get on with things regardless, I like that. When I said to our daughters we were isolating, they both said, not much change there then. Keep safe and take care.
Hello David. I promise to be good and not stray from home!
Hello Diana. I considered labelling it as a stuck foot post as well as tree following but with stuck feet I like to look around more broadly - to swivel so to speak. But with this, I just looked at the branches . . . so I didn't.
Hello Phuong. It has been very annoying having a broken arm. Now it's out of it's sling I can use it (I can type properly again!) but it still hurts and I still wake in the night and potter round going 'ow'! It's just the kind of time when one could do with long country walks for health and distraction but they, of course, are not possible. I've considered spending half an hour each day walking up and down stairs but stairs don't seem anywhere near as attractive as proper out-in-the-air hills.
Thanks, Flighty.
Hello Alistair. I think some of us do have a head start in knowing how to occupy ourselves happily while living a narrow life. But however much practice we have had, and however little we may do in the eyes of others, not being able to walk freely, to pop to the shops for some milk, to follow the course of a river . . . it's not the 'same as usual' is it?
Great to have you following a tree again, Lucy! Thank you for your kind comment. It's amazing what we can still see even when horizons are limited (though I can go in the garden, but not beyond). I do hope you are feeling stronger now that your arm is mending. I have never 'made friends' with a bee-fly before (and, of course, I can't be sure it's always the same one, but it hovers each day in the same patch)... whoever would have imagined this?!
Well as I've only just met you and come to you little part of Blogland I was unaware of your background. It rather makes the vulnerability of many of us pale into insignificance.
Good luck identifying your trees.
I just read your post below to understand why you have to stay inside for three month ! Now I understand it's probably because of your immmunity. I just imagined I had to stay at home, I think it would be very hard for me, but you seem to be very brave and you are enjoying the little things which are surrounding you. And then if it helps to feel better then it is also a motivation. I am also looked in but at least I can go out with a mask and gloves for shopping. But it is strange to see all people running around as bank robbers !
Welcome back to the tree following gang! Even if it has to be by tree gazing from the door for the time being. I'm happy to hear that you seem to be recovering.
my goodness, 3 months without going out! But I can understand the reasons why when I read your previous post. If it is going to keep you safe it will be worth it. I was feeling sorry for myself, as I am on an enforced isolation because I had an ankle opp 3 weeks ago, but in another 3 weeks I should be up and walking again. So I know this time within my house confines will pass. We have gone for a couple of little drives which have been lovely. I send my good wishes to you. Stay healthy, sit in the sun, and do what you can to make you happy.
Hello Caroline. I got rather excited about being able to follow a tree again, even if it won't be in great detail.
Bee-flies are fascinating, aren't they. Until a few years ago I didn't know they existed then I came across one hovering above a path - sort of sitting in the air - and thought I'd come across something incredibly exotic.
Hello Graham. It's odd to feel robust while knowing one is extremely vulnerable. Mind I find with having to stay indoors all the time (already it feels for a very long time because of the broken arm and snow which preceded the new restrictions on movement) . . . I'm feeling less robust by the day. We are all of us having experiences we never expected and I am hoping I will be able to carry on finding them interesting rather than oppressive.
In one of your posts you mention the importance of hanging on to our senses of humour. I will very much try to do that as the months go by.
Hello Gattina. One of the things which happens when you have a stem cell transplant is that all immunities accumulated through a lifetime of getting ill and getting better and of fighting off germs through childhood inoculations - are washed away. This means I am at risk not just from the coronavirus but from everything! Germs, moulds . . . In addition, I am taking an anti-cancer drug that reduces my body's ability to fight off infections. A double trouble! It's strange to think I am so vulnerable when I don't feel ill. (At least, I didn't before having to stay indoors all the time. Lack of air and exercise is beginning to take its toll.) But then, I didn't feel ill when I was first told I had leukaemia and had only two months to live unless I had speedy treatment. (I went into hospital the next day!) That was November 2018 and I'm still here. Stuck indoors despite the sunshine - but here!
From my window I can see pedestrians in masks. Yes! A nation of apparent bank robbers!
Hello Jill. Six weeks is also a long time to have to stay in - and it must be awful not to be able to walk around with ease. I hope your ankle gets speedily back to full strength.
Hello Erika. I found myself surprisingly excited to be writing a tree following post after all this time. Two rounds of chemo set the leukaemia back but didn't eradicate it. Apparently it's a very resilient mutation. However, the transplant seems to have done the trick - that and a drug I'm taking that's still being trialled. However, I'm beginning to feel very odd being indoors all the time. Air and exercise really are important and my body is not happy to be deprived of them. When my arm hurts less I'll see what I can do about indoor exercise - but it won't be the same as a walk up a hill in the countryside!
Hello Lucy, I really admire your spirit and fortitude. Sycamore is one of my favourite trees, greatly under-rated, Once the buds burst the leaf undersides become covered in aphids that attract warblers like blackcaps. Do you have binoculars? - worth scanning the tree from your doorstep in case they visit yours. St. Mark's flies love their flowers to. Stay safe.
I like Diana's comment - "Stuck Foot Tree Follower" :) Looking forward to your observations and thoughts!
Hello Lucy, difficult it is isolating, I'm trying hard to get used to people doing things for me, I understand how frustraighting it must be not even being able to go for a short walk, it's lucky you have trees you can see from your door, they look lovely large trees and I expect the birds visit them. Take care, Frances
Oh no going out must be must be so difficult Lucy. I'm glad that you have got not just one but two trees to gaze upon and wonder at.
It's so good to have you back!
And I'm sure your sycamores will be good value as the seasons change.
All the best - stay safe :)
I plan on walking among the trees this weekend. I prefer trees over people anyway!
Hello Phil. I think there are two pairs of binoculars in the house. Where? is the questions! Warblers and black caps (I don't think I know black caps) . . . they are likely to be very low down on the list of possible birds. Birds are in very short supply here. There don't seem even to be any sparrows and an occasional pigeon is a rarity. Aphids . . . yes! In previous years I have noticed not so much the presence of greenfly as how sticky and dusty and generally filthy the cars in the street become once the trees are in leaf. Honeydew! (I'll look for the binoculars.)
Hello Hollis. Yes. This is where two themes collide - stuck feet and tree following.
Hello Frances. I am really fortunate in being able to see beautiful trees from my window. Some are sycamores and some are ornamental. Currently there's a lot of blossom, pink and white. Birds though are in short supply. Until recently there were quite a few magpies. But they seem to have gone. They had been having altercations with crows. I'm wondering if the crows won!
Hello Anna. I am fortunate in having quite a few trees to look at, both close by and more distant. Halifax is full of terraces and I live in one - but I am fortunate in that ours is unusual in that it does not have a row of facing houses so it is very light and airy, with big windows and good views both of a busy street, grass and hills beyond.
Hello Pat. Thank you for your welcome at my return. Sometimes things are common / frequent / popular because they are really 'good' things. I think sycamores count among them.
Hello Sharon. Did you go for your walk among the trees? (I hope you have some nice people to like too!)
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