“Hi, my name is Tom, and I hug trees.”
I know, I’m crazy. But what can I say, it works.
And come on, there isn’t a person reading this that hasn’t knocked on wood at least once in their lives.
What Are the Origins of “Knock on Wood”?
So, we have all made our arboreal connections whether we want to admit it or not.
I am blessed with some wonderful trees here on Casa Claire that I interact with on a daily basis.
If you have read TWA, you are quite familiar with Jack The Spruce.
That is Renee Clarke (the basis for the character in WTLLM), standing beside JTS, when she came to visit Casa Claire.
Renee Clarke Comes To Casa Claire – The Wise Novelist
And here again, on Gnome Island, showing the street side of JTS.
RC also got a hug.
JTS regularly gets a hug.
Now, for grounding purposes, I hug The Old Man (“TOM”) tree on my front property twice a day –
Once, when I wake up during the early hours and let the Beagle Brother’s out and once before I go to bed.
During warmer weather, I’ll recline for hours beneath TOM’s canopy, which is a wonderful experience.
Not just scientifically – Bing Videos
But spiritually as well – Canopy Spiritual Meaning (Guardian Treetops Revelation) – Spiritual Mojo
I’ve gotten tree hugging/grounding down to an efficient process. I approach the tree with the intention of interacting with it. I place both hands as far apart as I can comfortably do it – in TOM’s case, my hands are split between its connected trunks – and then I place my face against the bark with my bare feet planted by the base of the tree. Then I take ten, slow and deep 4x4x4 breaths. I used to count to one hundred in Mississippi’s, but I found that distracted me from just being in the moment.
Afterwards, I always thank the tree and the earth (Gaia) for sharing this experience with me.
But I’m a natural hugger by nature and will hug any tree that calls to me.
I’ll also hug any person who is up for it-man or woman. There are scientific benefits to that as well. The Science of Hugs: Psychological Benefits Explained. Most people who have met me for the first time can attest to that. The Right Way to Hug for a Deeper Connection – Zsolt Zsemba
But there is one particular tree in the area that always calls to me when I’m passing on the road going to-and-from Longmont. I always feel sympathy/empathy for this amazing tree that stands, alone, surrounded only by hay fields. It has to be hundreds of years old just by its size. I’m certain that when it was a sprout, it was surrounded by others of its kind, in a NoCo forest. I’ve stopped my car many times and gotten out just to hug this particular tree.
Well yesterday, as I was passing this now winter barren (of foliage) tree-the opening photo- I could not help myself. The tree called. I pulled off the road and ran over to the tree for my hug. Luckily, I’m still wearing just the Birkenstocks, so it is easy for me to kick them off and plant my feet directly on terra firma. So, I did.
And then I went in for my hug, which is impossible to photo, but I’ll show you the precursor.
Now, despite being a writer, there is no way I can fully capture with words the feeling I get when I do this.
But whenever I hug this particular tree, I can feel its gratitude as it engages in the energy sharing. You see, most people just drive by without giving it a second thought. I like to let this tree know that it still matters. That it continues to register with me.
Now, there is a downside to being a regular barefoot tree hugger. And it drives Lisa nuts.
Not wood – although I do feel kinda randy after a good grounding. No blue pills for this Dude.
No, the only problem with the tree hugging/grounding process is that it is impossible for me to ever get the bottom of my feet clean.
That is a Hobbit’s sole, and the entrance to its feral soul. It looks just like that after scrubbing vigorously with a brush in the shower.
It’s a small price to pay.
Anyway, for your fine, five readers, it’s now magical Friday. My calendar only has Friday printed for each day of the month.
If you must go into an office for work, just make your presence known and then slip out of the side door. The weekend is waiting in the side alley in the getaway car. Don’t look back.
Hopefully, today will bring me closer to a final book cover for Free Radical. The artist, inner circle and I made wonderful strides towards a final selection yesterday. It’s looking amazing.
So, let’s see what today brings us. Knock wood.
And no matter what else we get up to – hug a tree and get some grounding in – and let’s make today a great one.
