Monday, December 7, 2009

ADVENT COUNTDOWN 19

The elm is a kind and goodly tree,
With its branches bending low;
The heart is glad when its form we see,
And we list to the river's flow.
Ay, the heart is glad and the pulses bound,
And joy illumines the face,
Whenever a goodly elm is found,
Because of its beauty and grace.
But kinder, I ween, more goodly in mien,
With branches more drooping and free,
The tint of whose leaves fidelity weaves,
Is the beautiful Christmas Tree.

Hattie Sanford Russell
"A Christmas Song."
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[The word "Advent" comes from the Latin adventus, which means "coming." In the Christian church Advent is that period of expectant waiting leading up to the Nativity of Jesus. Some prefer to think of it as a "Countdown to Christmas." If you've ever had an Advent calendar, you know that each day prior to Christmas has it own window, usually hidden behind a little flap or door, behind which is a scene or verse from the Scriptures. I thought it would be fun to take that idea and post a daily photo with a bit of text below—a stanza or two from a Christmaspoem or a few lines of prose from a favorite Christmas story. The photos aren't intended to be tied with the text. Some are just ones I meant to run with a post this past year, but for whatever reason, didn't. To set these posts apart from my regular—or irregular!—ones, I've given them a different typeface and look.]

14 comments:

Kelly said...

...beautiful photo, and I like the festive feeling this poem!

Wanda..... said...

Lovely poem and a serene photo to go with it. Is the tree a type of Cypress or something else?

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

I love that photo, Scribe. Love, love that scrumptious green!

My heart is always gladdened when I come here. Your words and images always convey a love for the planet and life on it.

19!!! Gotta go. Lots to do.

Wanda..... said...

It's daylight and it's snowing!!!

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

You're right—it does have a sort of festive feel.

BTW, do you have any idea what sort of tree this is, the photo was taken at Spring Valley, off the end of the boardwalk. It's deciduous, shaped like a tamarack only fuller, and I've been told it IS a tamarack…but if that's true, it sure doesn't look like the tamaracks I'm familiar with up in Michigan. The cones are these round balls. It reminds me more of a cypress, but isn't shaped like one.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

It is a nice poem, I think.

Actually, I can't give you a good answer re. the tree's identity. For a long time I thought (because I'd been told) these trees—there are dozens at the area where I took this shot—were tamaracks. I see tamaracks all the time in Michigan and the northcountry, but I'd never really looked close at these Ohio specimens. I don't think they are tamaracks—but if they're not, then I don't know what they are. Their needles and branches and cones resemble a bald cypress (only these are fuller) but their shape is more larch-like. None of my field guides answer the question to my satisfaction. I asked Kelly (see reply above) if she could set me straight, because I know she goes birding here. Maybe someone with more botany skills than I can give us the correct call.

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

I'm pleased you enjoy your visits here. That's sure the aim.

If you think you have a lot to do, you ought to see my schedule…being a week-and-a-half behind already!

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Well, it's daylight and it snowed (barely) here, though not when it was actually light enough to see it coming down. More like sneaky snow along the river.

Gail said...

HI GRI

I love the plush green - the picture is SO beautiful. And I am enjoying sharing advent here with you and so many wonderful blog-land friends.
Thanks Grizz

Love to you
Gail
pece.....

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Hope you and your family are doing better. I'm glad you and others are enjoying the postings. Take care…

Bernie said...

Oh I so love your photo, so very pretty and your poem is so relaxing and calming to read...hope you are feeling better Grizz......:-) Hugs

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Glad you liked this one, too.

I'm hanging in there…

Kathie Brown said...

What a great idea. I love Advent calendars. I always like the surprise behind the little doors and the feeling of ticking off the days. It heightens the anticipation.

Grizz………… said...

Kathiesbirds…

I like that little behind-the-door surprise, too. This was the closest thing I could come up with.