"I'VE NEVER NOTICED TREES BEFORE!"

December 06, 2019 2 Comments

Yes, these were my words from a year ago this month — when I had JUST started doodling trees in my effort to survive an interminable TV gig . My brother-soulmate-best friend, Jason, and I met up in San Fran for a weekend of running around and having fun. We walked for miles — which is what you should do in SF — and I was going bananas over trees. Every tree. On every street. On every corner. In every park. I was painfully annoying as I'd dramatically point out each one throughout the city as though I'd never before seen anything come out of the ground. “Look!" I’d say. “Look!” Jason would patiently and dutifully admire each of my sudden bursts of wonder and wild finger pointing. He’d kindly comment, “yes,” until the next tree came along. And on we’d go.

***

We were in San-Fran-Freaking-Cisco! There were beautiful buildings, quaint architecture, historical monuments, a unique bridge, an abandoned federal prison (that’s another story), massive churches, boutiques galore, but I only saw trees. As we rounded a corner — likely exposing Fisherman’s Wharf or Alcatraz — all of my enthusiasm burst through and I squealed, “I’ve never noticed TREES before!” I was so freaking excited (and weird) that had it been anyone other than Jason, I might have been abandoned on the spot. He lost it, “That’s the quote of the weekend.” And we laughed until we cried.

***

Of course I’d noticed trees before, but never like this. Since embarking as an apparent conduit for trees and their stories, I’m bonafide obsessed. I see them. I walk up to them. I touch them. I talk to them. l feel them in my heart. I even moved to be amongst them in the Pacific Northwest.

***

So, I’m making a commitment right here and right now to do the very best I can for the planet with the products and suppliers we use for paper, inks, prints, and apparel. I’m also committing to conscious disposal of paints and other products that could be harmful to our one-and-only Mother Earth. It’s a learning curve and I’m on it.

***

I’m most proud that we just partnered with ONE TREE PLANTED. For every purchase made with Trees Have Feelings, ONE TREE will be planted as part of their massive reforestation project in North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. In 2018, One Tree Planted planted 1.3 million trees. This year they are projected to plant 4 million. Four million trees and we’re going to be a part of it! I’m excited and there’s more coming soon.

***

So, go befriend a tree today. Look at him/her/they and introduce yourself. Then listen to their story. You might realize that you, too, have never really noticed trees before.

***

With love,

Tracy

***

One of my FAVE San Fran Trees! This is the tree I was gazing at while on the Cathedral steps :)

2 Responses

Susan Leader

February 19, 2020

I love that you are partnering with One Tree Planted. It’s a perfect fit!

Now I have a tree story to tell you. A year ago I was doing a creative, inspirational on-line workshop. One day the exercise was to write a love letter to a tree. Living in the desert for the last 40 years trees aren’t a big part of my life. The desert trees are small and prickly and not particularly pretty so I felt a bit challenged. Then I dug a little and thought back to my childhood and remembered the willow tree in my side yard. It was such a special tree! I have so many fond memories of climbing that tree, hanging out in her branches, even setting up a basket on a pulley so we could bring up books and snacks. I ended up writing a true love letter to my willow tree and sobbing as I wrote. We grow up and we forget. We stop seeing. We stop taking the time to slow down and get to know trees.

Agatha Altarovici

January 14, 2020

OMG I love this post!!!!
It’s so funny because I totally relate with your experience in a weird way . I was following the advice of a “mindset guru for entrepreneurs” and going on a meditative walk without my cell during my work day … he called it a wealth walk .. and the goal was to embrace the wealth around you not in terms of money but of air , nature , steps you take, sunshine on your face , how grandiose your environment is … and while I was doing that the only thing I got obsessed with on the sidewalk were the trees . And I had to stop and touch each tree during my walk because i felt I had never really TOUCHED A TREE for the purpose of TOUCHING A TREE before !! (This is starting to sound weird LOL). Anyway , that is to say I Get it and people should not stop only to smell the roses but stop to touch a tree 🌲 ! you’re the best TRACY!

Comments will be approved before showing up.

"I'VE NEVER NOTICED TREES BEFORE!"

2 Responses

Susan Leader

Agatha Altarovici

Leave a comment

Also in ARTIST STORIES

ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN & THE GOOD DOG MEMORIAL TREE

She Wept.

WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW

Follow