Scaling Jack The Spruce

Yesterday was one of those relatively quiet days.

When the three little witches were not enjoying the hot tub, or watching Kids Netflix, or playing with the Barbie Skyscraper, they were hanging out front with the neighbor kids, along with Lisa and Luke in the driveway or in the JTS magic grotto, chalking the shit out of every bit of exposed concrete.

Who ever thought that graffiti could be educational.

Now anyone who has read The Claire Saga knows Jack The Spruce, the anthropomorphic Blue Spruce that acts as a guardian to Casa Claire and its inhabitants and actually helps save Jimmy’s and Gina’s lives at the end of TWA.

Well the actual JTS is one beautiful specimen. Over twice the height of my home. Has to be at least forty feet tall.

And being a habitual tree hugger, and a Celt, I look upon all trees as sacred.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_sacred_trees

https://www.connollycove.com/sacred-trees-in-celtic-beliefs

Especially the yew, or evergreen trees, who act as guardians between the different energy planes.

https://www.thespruce.com/japanese-yews-and-english-yew-bushes-2132068

And putting aside my Celtic biases towards anthropomorphization, it seems that even science suggests that trees can feel, hear, smell, and see.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-whispering-trees-180968084/#:~:text=To%20communicate%20through%20the%20network%2C%20trees%20send%20chemical%2C,signals%2C%20which%20scientists%20are%20just%20beginning%20to%20decipher.

https://www.sciencealert.com/plants-really-do-respond-to-the-way-we-touch-them-scientists-reveal

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz

Now, JTS is a wonder to behold, especially during the nocturnal hours.

And he has been a welcoming host to the birds, children and even cats that call Casa Claire home.

Indeed, many a hawk and other avians have perched precariously from his top branches getting a true lay of the land in our general area. But as far as I know, no human has scaled to the top of JTS, that is, until yesterday, when Luke, at the challenge of his children, made the ascent.

Given my own fear of heights, I was thankfully seeking some me time in the warm afternoon sun on the back deck when the event occured, but Lisa did snap a photo as proof.

This is a cropped version of the opening photo.

Personally, it looks very much like a treed Sasquatch. However, Lisa has never lied to me, so I will accept her testimony that it is Luke at the top of JTS.

Another family record set, although my money is on Scarlett, the oldest of the three little witches, attempting the accent before too long. Like her daddy, she was born without a fear gene.

Thank you JTS for keeping my eldest safe, and for holding court over the magic grotto, where so many versions of the fae and other creatures like to frolic.

Well, Monday is back, so I have to pay my dues.

You fine, five readers be good citizens, suck down that fourth cuppa, and venture forth into the world of commerce. Keep the wheels on the economy cart spinning.

I will do the same, just as soon as I give my kitties a cuddle and make my rounds.

But no matter what else we all get up to at the beginning of the work week, let us make today a great one.