Every morning, Bee and
I stand at the end of the
driveway waiting for her
bus and we look up into the
branches of the elm tree
that arches over the drive.
We started this little
ritual back in the spring,
when the first signs of new
leaves appeared like green
knuckles up and down the
long branches.
``Look,’’ I said to her.
``Soon the tree will be covered
with leaves, and we
won’t be able to see a bit of
sky through them.’’
Sure enough, bright
green leaves sprouted and
spread until the tree offered
a cool canopy. Peering up
through the branches was
like looking into a verdant
kaleidoscope, a mosaic of
greens and yellows and tiny
flecks of blue sky.
In summer, of course, we
found little reason to stand
at the foot of the driveway
for any length of time. Sure,
we might venture to the
mailbox or pass through
that general area on our
way to throw rocks into the
creek or walk to our neighbor’s
pond and listen to the
frog symphony. But we
never took the time to see
how summer had changed
the view upward through
the elm branches.
But then autumn came
around, and with it a new
school year and a new daily
opportunity to view the
world from the foot of an
elm tree.
In early September, the
tree already was giving us
a show — a bright yellow
leaf here, another leaf orange
and brown, and yet
another looking for all the
world like a green and red
holiday ornament.
Bee claimed she was collecting
autumn leaves, and
for many mornings, she
would find her favorite, and
give it to me to add to her
collection after she had gotten
on the bus.
``But wait there until the
bus is gone,’’ she told me.
``Don’t walk back to the
house until after the bus
leaves.’’
I promised.
The elm tree is one of
her favorites because, according
to Bee and her dad,
fairies live there. Or maybe
they’re faeries. However
they self-identify, Bee is
certain of their existence
because, on very, very cold
winter mornings when her
Papa takes her down to the
bus stop, the two of them
help the fairies keep warm
by blocking their knot-hole
doorway with a stick. Later
on in the day, when the
fairy house warms up, the
fairies push the stick out of
the doorway to the ground,
where Bee finds it the next
morning.
You should know that
our lawn is well-populated
by fairies. In the summertime,
Bee and Posey and I
build them little garden
shelters. We make beds of
moss and set pine bark tables
with buttercup tea
sets. We always add some
signal or flag so the fairies
will know that we’ve created
a safe place for them
where they won’t be bothered
by cats or chickens or
dogs.
After we’ve built the
fairy shelters, we check
them over the next days
and weeks for signs of habitation.
Bee is particularly
adept at spotting fairy
magic — a sort of vapor
trail they leave in their
wake.
``They were here,’’ she
will declare. ``I can see their
magic.’’
This week, Bee and I
have stood under the elm
tree looking skyward, and
we have noticed how very
little there is standing between
us and the view beyond.
Not one leaf remains
on the tree. It seems Winter
does not ask permission
from me, or from Bee or
from the shivering fairies
before unpacking its bags
and settling in for a long,
long stay. It’s kind of a bully
and a boor, that Winter.
A difficult and expensive
house guest who comes unannounced
with no clear
plans for leaving.
I began to think of snow
tires and oil bills and evenings
that grow dark before
the end of a banker’s workday.
I sighed.
Next to me, Bee sighed
too, but hers was more wistful,
more like the sigh one
makes settling into a feather
bed or a bubble bath.
``Maybe Dad can make a
fire tonight,’’ she beamed
up at me with an excited
grin. I could tell that she
was thinking of mittens
and sledding and snowmen.
``That would be perfect,’’
I told her.
Okay, Winter. You can
come in. The guest room is
yours, and I’ve laid out extra
towels. Leave your
shoes by the front door and
don’t monkey with the thermostat
without asking.
Elizabeth Trever Buchinger
hopes you’re as cozy
and warm as the Elm Fairies.
You can connect with
her at www.moremindfulfamily.
wordpress.com.
Columns
This Wonderful Life: A view through bare branches
- Columns
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: Dear Santa ...
Although we tend to think Christmas is for children and thus rarely think about what we might like to have, this year we have decided to let Santa know what might be left under the tree with our name on it. Of course, we fully understand if our list is a bit long, a bit expensive and a bitlate. However, we have just finished reading our November issue of Health and so have just realized what we need that we do not currently have.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Irony abounds
These are querulous times. Dissent and disagreement, as uncomfortable as they sometimes are, are essential components of a viable democracy. Democracies are always messy because everyone has a right to speak his mind and because whenever a majority is able to gain the numerical upper hand it pretty much runs the show. Several political philosophers have written quite persuasively of what they characterize as the “tyranny of the majority.” Get enough people on your side and you have the opportunity to get your way so long as you are able to maintain power. I suspect that most thoughtful people would agree that wisdom is hard to come by.
Continued ...
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
