This is a Monterey Cypress tree that graced the parking lot of the grocery store I frequented when I lived in Salinas. It was a wonderful old soul that I am certain it had been there for over 100 years, give or take. Last winter, we actually had a winter which came with fierce winds that destroyed an unbelievable amount of trees in the neighborhood and took a large part of this one with it as well. Because it was in the parking lot, the grocery store removed what was left because it was obviously a dangerous liability.
The removal happened on a day that I was meeting with a dear friend, Lyn Whiting, at the coffee shop attached to the store. I could hear the sound of the saws and the chipper as they took the tree down. I felt a gnawing sadness about it which I guess was obvious to my friend.
Back on that day LAST winter, after our meeting had ended, she went over and picked up a few pieces that were left behind. Last week when I saw Lyn she handed me one of those old film containers and inside was what you see in the photo above. She told me what she had done and I almost cried (not a surprise to some of you who know me.) What a meaningful gift! This woman gets me!!!
At the time when I took the initial picture of the tree, which was the summer before the storm, I had been obsessing over the Prisma App, which converts your photos into a variety of artistic renderings. This and the next couple of pictures are a few of the results.
I am a fan of mosaics and thought this one looked pretty cool.
I am also a fan of the artist, Piet Mondrian, and thought this was a delightful De Stijlian sunset. Don't you agree?
I don't know what compelled me to take that picture that day but I am obviously glad I did. I will consider this post my version of an ode to that wonderful tree.
This is my submission for #treetuesday brought to us by
Some photos previously posted at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008940904112
