I have not been too consistent lately with my writing but I do feel a certain absence when I fail to reflect on the passing feast of events, emotions, and thinking in my life. Over the past few months I have dedicated myself to finishing the room addition at Hawkscry which will greatly increase the comfort of spending more time at this blessed retreat in the heart of the Sandy Mush Valley. In the beginning I was greatly assisted both physically and emotionally by my friend Steve who provided both expertice and extra hands for some of the heavy lifting of rafters. Now that the addition is nearly done I can step back and really appreciate how the project has unfolded and how it has enabled me to unfold and stretch out my own creative energy. There is pure joy in the creative process; bringing forth from ideas something concrete and visible. There is great power in trusting your own vision, especially when the going gets tough. Staying true and focused is great practice and puts one in direct contact with the creative universal force. Trusting in the positive force helps to bring the right balance into the world, so important in these confused and unsettled times and it helps to bring the right balance into your personal life. I hope that I will be blessed to continue to bring about my vision for Hawkscry and create an oasis of peace and reflection.
Over the past month I have added a number of fruit trees to the orchard including peach, cherry, and plum. It has been a good year to plant with moderate temperatures and plenty of rain. The gardens are all full of flowers and there promises to be a bumper crop of apples and blueberries. I have removed a black walnut tree on the field which prevented a full view of the Newfound mountains and I believe prevents the trees in the orchard to thrive. There now is more sun, a view, and hopefully less of whatever chemical the tree secretes to prevent other trees from competing. And plenty of fire wood too, though perhaps black walnut is not the best to burn. I am greatful for the open view of the distant mountains and thank the tree for the heat which it will provide this winter.
This spring saw the removal of four 200 year old oaks across the street in town by a developer who is building a house on a partitioned lot sold off by financially distrwessed owners. It was a really sad time for the neighborhood to see these beautiful healthy trees cut down. The sound of chain saws caused us great pain. Each tree came down with a terrible, ground shaking crash and within one day 800 years of collective growth lay inert on the tortured earth. I tried to talk some sense into the developer. He offered to sell the newly acquired lot for double what he paid for it. The real irony is that he is all to proud to announce that the house he will build is a "green" house.
