Tuesday, May 6, 2008

my magnolia

I have never introduced you to Maggie. She lives in the front yard. She is proud, majestic, aromatic and beautiful. Maggie is my Magnolia tree and she is one of the reasons I love this house so much. Our previous house had no trees, but this house had Maggie. She stood proudly to greet you as you drove up. She welcomed children to her branches. She sheltered many animals from the weather. Maggie is a neighborhood legend. Ahhh, here she is...



Can you see the house? If you squint and look to the left of the tree, near the white car. You can just make out the roof line. Maggie is quite beautiful, but Maggie was large. She had not been on a diet in YEARS. Her skirts came all the way down to the ground, and she was growing other baby Maggies under there.

If you notice, the picture was taken from the side and across the street. You had to be that far away to get all of Maggie. If you stood in front of the house, you couldn't SEE the house. Maggie was taking all the attention for herself. Not to mention, she was kinda a traffic hazard. She blocked our view from backing out the driveway...not on purpose of course, but Maggie hadn't been taken care of very well. We knew Maggie would need some help.


Here she is now. My blessed husband and his chainsaw went to work on my Maggie. Now, I listed the reasons Maggie needed to be trimmed, and there were several. Our safety among them. But my heart was broken for Maggie on that day. I came home and cried. Yes, cried. I apologized to the tree. My husband stared at me in amazement, but I have told you people, I LOVE trees. There is just something about lifting your hands, er, branches to heaven all day that makes me appreciate trees.

Anyway, Maggie now has some new plants growing underneath her. She provided me with blossoms this summer and shade this fall. Maggie is still tall and proud, but now she is wearing shorter skirts. She has become a modern woman, er, tree.

I bring new meaning to the term "tree hugger" don't I?


11 comments:

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Oh, I love magnolia trees. We have lots of trees on our lot, but not a Magnolia. You know what I really like are the saucer magnolias...they look like tulips when they bloom in the fall.

When I was little, my friend had a magnolia in her yard a lot like Maggie...we would play house under those branches...it was like a little cave.

Unknown said...

I am jealous...we can't grow magnolias AT ALL, let alone a whole tree of them! She will be happy for the 'leg shave'...every woman new a good one before bikini season!

Unknown said...

needs...not new

Debbie said...

I have to say, Maggie is quite shapely now shedding that weight and all. Much much better.

Jennifer P. said...

I can only imagine how heavenly that must smell in bloom! I think she likes her shorter skirt too!

Hunny Bee said...

I cried once when I saw a bunch of trees getting cut down in front of my dorm. I've never told anyone until now. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my secret heartache. I don't have to be ashamed anymore.
I wish I could have a magnolia too. All I have is maples.

Heather said...

I love Maggie's hair cut. Super sassy. I'm trying not to be jealous that you have a tree that big in your yard. I'm happy for you. Really.

shay said...

oh Maggie is a beauty!!

I do like her shorter skirt though and I love your house!

Lula! said...

I love it--I'm a tree hugger, too, without being a tree hugger. Does that make sense? My favorite tree in the world sits outside my former junior high school, in my hometown. In 8th grade I'd sit and stare out at it, completely ignoring my teacher. Whenever I'm home for a visit I always drive past "my" tree, ever thankful she hasn't been chopped yet.

And I love your Maggie. Magnolias are the best trees for climbing--my knees have childhood scars to prove this!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I came over from Chatting at the Sky :) You always have such sweet comments for her. I love how everything is being given a name. I named my house last night. I think I need to name our Bradford Pear in the front yard. I used to lie on the floor (inside) and stare out the window at it. Now I get to snuggle with my daughter and look out at her (the tree) while she (the daughter) falls asleep.
Bliss.

Rebekah said...

I love having trees in my yard. We have 3 very tall trees that need to be topped- but topping a tree requires making an appt with 'tree' people. Not as easy as removing those low branches.