” . . . a poem as lovely as a tree.” – Joyce Kilmer

My neighbors were probably wondering why I was lying in the middle of the yard this afternoon. It’s not something I normally do, but it’s a beautiful day, and I wanted to spend some time with my tree.

I bought my Autumn Blaze maple, better known as “Harriet,” seven years ago as a birthday present to myself. Why Harriet, you ask? I have no idea! It just came to me one day, and it stuck.

I looked it up, and the name Harriet means “ruler of the home.” Isn’t that fitting for a tree? My name, however, means “bee.” So Harriet gets to be queen and I’m just a little worker bee? Hey, who pays the bills around here anyway?!

Ok, so back to my point . . . I think it’s important that we afford ourselves the luxury of a few simple pleasures now and then. How many times as a child did you stare up at the blue, blue sky and let your imagination run wild? Why do we stop doing that? It’s fun!

I pledge to enjoy “the little things” in life more often, and I hope you will too. I really think it’s when we’re at our happiest.

So, go outside and hug a tree.

Oh, and don’t tell Queen Harriet, but she could use a trim!

– Debra