Just A Misconception

     It's quite a shock on just how a couple of months have flew by quickly.  The nature around me dies out, by seeing the marvelous transitions of the seasons from a balmy summer, to a pleasant fall, and finally to a bitter winter.  Now I am recently embracing the abominable freezing temperatures, and yet still awaiting for the gentle or harsh descending of the individually, beautifully crafted flakes of icy snow, around my area.  However, for now I will just stick to actively walking and observing these Rowans, until something had clicked inside my mind.  It is something I should have noticed from the start, ever since I embarked this journey.  Recollecting all the things I have thought, looked, and said, I have been judging these trees.  Although it is normal to judge, since it is close to observing, I not only looked at their appearance and activity, but also labeled them.  This label can range from being a normal and ordinary tree, to a hero, a friend, or even a foe.  The subject of deducing ones characteristics now jumbles inside my head, thinking that my mind is nothing but full of illusions and imaginations, which creates a considerable amount of errors of anothers traits.  This is when I began to realize that judgement is a wrongful misconception.  It is a visible lie from the mind, while the truth is invisible to the eye.

      Each day, walking along the cemented terrain, turning my head from left to right, I observe the trees.  Every individual Rowan has its different traits, looks, activities, and so much more.  Then I would label and categorize them into different sections, which are mostly ordinary trees to me.  Some Rowans are quite interesting, by how fast their razor like leaves fall, their stature, and even berries, but they still look like a plain common tree.  However, this Rowan, the Wounded Wood, standing near the bus stop has a deep connection to me.  It is like a bond between nature and human, with characteristics of a fighting spirit.  Weak and fragile it maybe, the tree will keep on standing.

      Then there's this new Rowan tree, which is called the Hidden Blood tree, that I met awhile back.  It is a marvelous tree, who's fully mature, with a thick and strong base, that is impossible to break.  Unfortunately in my eyes, I could see a monster, with rotten, crisp, and leafy dark chocolate brown fur, crimson, blood colored spider-like eyes, which are the berries, and a towering figure, like a five meter titan in front of me.  Hidden behind the gloomy shadows of the building, it looks menacing, as if it gazes, with glowing cherry eyes, at anyone who enters its inner sanctum.  The branches and leaves would shake, with the sounds of the rustle, like it is growling and warning its foes.  All I see is just a lie about this tree, because it is from my imagination.

Hello and farewell Sir Hidden Blood.

 

     Reflecting back to all of this, I noticed that what I thought and saw was only a big mistake of my mind.  These so called ordinary trees are not just plain giant wooden sticks that protrude out from the ground, but they provided a lot of support for the birds, nature, and surroundings.  Shockingly, the Hidden Blood tree is actually a gentle giant that means no harm.  It allowed small finches, who are as small as a full grown purple plum, to eat its berries and take shelter, under the leftover leaves.  All this time the tree took under a threatening appearance, but in reality it is a tree meant to support the nature around it.  It's as if it wants to actually reveal itself out of the shadows, willing to experience more than wrong judgement of others.  For the Wounded Wood, there is no mistake, in fact what I view about this tree should be the same for all these thick wooden stems, a hero.  This is the truth that reveals in the invisible as the lies erode away. 

      The mythology behind these Rowans,"...was believed to protect."("Identify...).  According to its background story, it is about the goddess of youth, Hebe, who fed other gods with her cup of magical nectar, which is stolen by demons.  In order for her to get the cup back, she sent an eagle to retrieve it.  This ends in a difficult battle between the eagle and the demons, where the blood and feathers are dropped, growing the beautiful Rowan or Mountain Ash trees.  The feathers represent the bristle and razor-like leaves, while the blood represent the crimson colored berries, which is marked with a five pointed star, symbolizing protection in the ancient times("Identify...) .  This a positive belief of these trees, which is even better than viewing them as a hideous beast, or something that isn't worth paying attention to.  It may as well as change the minds of others about these plants, and also make others look in the inside than the outside, to avoid a misbelief of something.  This shows a big mistake of someone character, until it is revealed eventually.

 

The star, a ancient powerful symbol of protection. (Petr Kratochvil.)

      However, it is a good thing to try and convince others about their misbeliefs, but the human mind is quite a struggle to understand.  Each mind has its own opinions on not just the Rowans, but on many others things.  Their beliefs could be similar or maybe different; it only depends on the bearer of the mind.  According to the web article titled, "Why do we judge people by their appearance?", by Zamkah, Reham, from the Saudi Gazette, explains about the views of judgement.  Apparently it talks about the Arabs part taking the activities of judging the appearance of others, before they meet them. This later results in a mistake about their someones character, after getting to know this person.  It then ends with the fact that we humans would sometimes judges others, before they show their true colors, which leads to a regretful disaster of misconception.  Judgement does not only happen by a group of people, but also effectively in court as said in the web article,"Judging by Appearance", by Paul, Annie M..  This article reflects on surmising ones own appearance in court, which,"...can be swayed by more than just a pretty face: clothing and jewelry choices can sometimes mean the difference between doing time and dodging jail."(Paul).  If someone like a attorney was to wear the inappropriate clothing, then it will result in negative conceptions of this person.  This all demonstrates that people see the lies visibly by looks, while the truth still hidden within.

     Overall judging or observing something like the Rowans and people isn't always about looking at their appearance.  The looks that kill, which is like killing the trust and further observations, immediately making the mind make accusations so quickly, with just a snap of a figure.  The inner and closer looks is what counts the most, which may take patience, but it's all worth it.  Judgement shouldn't be based on the appearance, but the inner personality.  It is hard to resist making deductions of someone, before meeting them, but should at least learn about their mistakes, after all it is just a misconception.

     I know this maybe sudden, but I must at least say a proper farewell to these Rowans, this post, and to this blog.  Facing this last moment, to bask in the nature around me, I really appreciate the chance to explore and discover, even if isn't easy to let it all go.  Not only that I discovered new knowledge about these trees, but I also grew and learned as well.  All in all I should be thankful, and who knows maybe I will do something similar someday.  Well for now I shall say goodbye, and look forward to the future that awaits, until we meet again.

Work Cited

 

 

"Identify Other Species of Rowan (Mountain Ash) Trees". Garden 

     Action The premier gardening in information source. N.p. N.d.

     Web. 4, December 2014.  www.gardenaction.co.uk/trees/rowanmountain-ash-trees.asp

 

Paul, Annie M. "Judging by Appearance". Psychology Today.

     Sussex Directories Inc. 1, November 1997. Web. 8, December

     2014.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200909/judging-appearance

 

Kratochvil, Petr. "Rowanberry". Digital Image.

     PublicDomainPictures.net. Bobek Ltd. 2007. Web. 12,

     December 2014.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=1215

 

Zamkah, Reham Al-Bilad. "Why do we judge people by their  

      appearance?". Saudi Gazette. N.p. 20, November 2014. Web. 

     4, December 2014. 

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20141121225068  



     

Change is Beautiful

     Throughout this week, walking along a new path around my apartment complex, which now starts near the bus stop, change is everywhere.  The weather is shifting from an innocent breeze to violent winds, lashing out powerful blows.  The temperatures are decreasing by every second, enough to make early morning frost.  More birds are migrating from all directions, gliding across the blue canvas.  Other trees have become bare and most have shed their golden to maroon crisp dried leaves, littering the yellow dead grass.  As for the Rowans, they are still strong for mostly keeping their leafy mane, while a few are unfortunately left bald, looking naked in the autumn season.

     During my walk on the new path, I crossed paths with these twin red berried Rowans, who are mostly prone to subside in an area void of sunlight, which is quite unusual that they are still able to grow around at,"...0 to 40 feet tall."(Sorbus).  This is due to the fact that this type of Rowan species are,"...very tolerant of droughts, nor is it well adapted to warmer habitats; it is intolerant of shade." (Sorbus).  Judging by their foliage, they are also changing their darkly shaded green color to a much more welcoming warm color of smart orange.  Their leaves are blended with a mix of green and orange, producing a faded lime hue.  The very top of these trees are dyed in a fiery orange, which goes down in each level of the warm and cool color mixture.  In the shade, the two are decorated with ornamental berries that flared a dangerous crimson red, like seeing sphere-like droplets of pure red food dye that hung on the branches.  Then I proceeded to go to the first Rowan, whose leaves are molting.  The foliage that the tree bears is completely styled in the warm blend of autumn colors.  They would fall with every passing moment, while some merely grasped on the branches, like someone who is desperately holding on to their dear life.  I looked up close and saw the fruit that are too wrinkled and shriveled to eat.  Below me, are the leaves that shattered like glass, and berries grinded down into flakes.  With every small step, sounds of crunches, clicks, and clacks are heard.

Welcome to the team, Rowan Twins.

      Making my way towards the so called "Rowan Society" the community of these trees have gloriously donned the new look of autumn orange, yellow, and red.  Surprisingly as well as the red-berried trees, who seemed to have been convinced to change its foliage.  Its leaves are mixed with orange and green, similar to the twin Rowans.  Upon looking at the captivating sight of the nature changing before my eyes, something clicked inside my mind.  I wondered what these trees will look like in the winter and spring.  Do they undergo some type of process to regain what they lost?  This is when I needed to research about the Rowans.

      As I arrived to the designated area, near the mailboxes, I settled my eyes on the Rowans.  A few have aged itself for the winter, with leaves that mostly shed from the trees.  The withering, shriveling, and dying berries hung like Christmas decorations, as if the Rowans are preparing for the festive holiday.  In fact, they could be like a small Christmas feast for birds, since the berries,"...are an important food supply for birds in the winter because they do not fall off the tree..." (Bowen).

      Later I paid another visit to the bus stop Rowans, with one on the left, who is all dressed up in orange foliage, while on my right, the Wounded Wood is left in the changing process.  The left Rowan lost a bit of its leaves and a few berries.  None of the less, it is adorned with plump and slightly ripe berries for the peckish little birds.  Shifting my focus to the Wounded Wood,  I examined it closer.  The leaves faded into a yellow-lime green color, and each small,"...alternate and compound with 13 to 17 elliptical, toothed leaflets," they are curling up (Bowen).  Taking a moment to look at this tree, my mind seemed to flashback a partial memory of seeing this tree in the winter and spring.  In the winter, they stood in the rigid, dull, frozen, and yet peaceful atmosphere, being iced with frost, and later smothered with a blanket of plush snow.  All the leaves have departed for the winter, until they return as small little buds, that would break,"...once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud..."(Sorbus).  Then in the spring, I remembered seeing small delicate and beautifully crafted white flowers that bloomed in that very tree.  I would pick up my sister at the bus stop, pass by the tree, and couldn't help but bask at the floral artwork, until we later become quite upset for their short life span.  Then again it is the early stage for the berries, starting off as,"...large clusters of white,1/4 inch., flat-topped flowers bloom in May and early June...", later the berries are,"...reddish-orange and ripen in August or September..."(Bowen).  However, thinking about it, I still can't believe how I can be such a moron when remembering something that is like a blessing.

Nature's Artwork (Sorbus americana)

      After getting the opportunity to look at how much is changing and researching the Rowans, I am quite thankful.  Everything may eventually die, along with their beauty, but it is just a cycle of life.  However, with enough patience it is all worth waiting for, seeing new leaves berries, features, and maybe even early floral.  Each in every passing moment something new will happen, which lets nature express itself in a very unique way.  Not everything can stay beautiful, because change will happen.  It's like a human growing up, and while experiencing new things as they evolve.  It is the experience that counts in not just nature, but life itself, making change beautiful.

Work Cited

Bowen, Melissa. "Sorbus americana". Americana Mountain Ash. Plant Biology,12 March 2004.Web. 11 Nov. 2014. http://wwwpub.naz.edu/~treewalk/north_tree_walk/sorbus_americana/index.htm



"Sorbus americana". Nature's Notebook. N.p. Web 15 Nov. 2014.
     https://www.usanpn.org/nn/Sorbus_americana


"Sorbus americana in spring flower." Digital image. Photoshelter. Plant & Flower Stock Photography: Garden Photos.com, N.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014. http://gardenphotoscom.photoshelter.com/image/I0000FpVlQ2Q_p4g

Fall Flora Fashion

     Fall has finally arrived, expressing it in the vast surrounding that I see around the apartments.  Walking in the ever changing weather, the sky would show a clear view of brilliant blue, a cloudy airbrush of white, or into a depressing pervading haze of grey.  On other times, the clouds that are shaded a dark gray looked like they,"...threatened to consume the whole sky..."(Observation Notes, Day 34).  Sudden gusts of wind would blow intensely, and a few signs of rain would sprinkle upon the land.  This season of autumn is a time where plants begin to die as their beauty fade away, preparing to hibernate in the harsh winter.  The leaves of other trees are decorated with the colors ranging from dark maroons, while others consisted of dry sandy yellows.  Falling, these little crisp blades flutter in the wind from side to side, and eventually settle gently upon the cold hard ground. This a process that will continue, until the trees leaf-like plumage is naturally plucked out one by one. Birds, flying in a plane formation, would migrate from north, south, east, and west early, trying to arrive to their preferred destination and staying there overwinter, like people on winter break, who want to travel in order to spend time with their families.

      Fall for the Rowans, in my view, is like a new fashion statement for them to follow.  The first tree, however, slowly transformed its leaves into a bronze yellow from the bottom, and on the top is a mix of green and oranges. They still hung on the branches, until it is the right time for them to detach and drop down. Its orange berries still grasped desperately on their stems, while some lie on the ground, rotting away and later being decomposed.  They appear shriveled and wrinkled like a monkey's paw, a picture seen on the cover art from the short story "The Monkey's Paw".  Then as I walked into the Rowan tree community, I stepped into a society consisting mostly of orange berried trees, who wanted to follow the new fall fashion.  They all progressively turned their leaves into the warm colors of autumn, like orange, yellow, and red.  However, the red berried trees seemed to refuse to part take this latest trend.

"The Monkey's Paw". Digital Image. (White, Jeff. "The Monkey's Paw". N.d. 10,Nov. 2014. Web. creepypasta.wikia.com )

      Strolling around the Rowans near the mailboxes, I noticed that most of the trees have beaten the Rowan community, in fact the red berried trees even contributed.  They are beautifully dressed for the changing season it is like seeing a fine gentleman and a elegant lady dressed for a party.  Their leaves are dyed in are blend of oranges, yellows, and a small amount of a dashing red.  It is as if the trees,"...wanted to imitate the sun's color palettes."(Observation Notes, Day 32).  In the sun, the trees glowed like fire in a fireplace, warming up the mood in the atmosphere around me.  However, a few Rowans unfortunately have contracted a case of a balding problem as their leaves slowly fall out every minute. Besides the fact that they are on the verge of becoming leafless, these Rowans are still decorated with their red and orange berries.  In fact, I researched that these berries can last until winter, then they will all fall off.

The well-dressed Rowans.

     Lastly in this spread of fall fever, the Rowans near the bus stop didn't much progress in changing their leaves.  The Rowan to my left the leaves have marks of yellow and little orange, while most is a mixture of yellow and green.  Some even seemed to have brittle itself just enough to make it break with one touch.  Looking up at the round bundles of fruit, I've noticed that they wrinkled a bit, but is still ripe enough to eat.  Transitioning my eyes to my right, I saw that the wounded wood didn't seem to change.  The leaves are still colored a young green and the berries are plump as ever.  It is as if this tree is like a stubborn child not wanting to dress up a little fancy, or that it was nourished by the waters of the fountain of youth.  Then again, after a minor time skip, the tree's leaves have been marked with a pale yellow on the tips, the small branch had started to have its leaves dried up like a chip, curling up in the process, but the berries remained intact.

     It brings me joy to see these Rowans evolve and play around with colors.  The idea of them turning into warm colors for this fall season brushed off a bit of warmth on me as I walked through a cold day.  In fact, my mind is set on whether they are doing a fashion competition due to their new look on their leaves.  I do wish to continue setting my eyes on these Rowans observing them and their surroundings, because they simply intrigue me.  As time goes on, I will wonder who will walk down the runway early for the fashion of winter, and to see that I must keep watching.  

The Wounded Wood

     Strolling along this cemented path around the apartment buildings, in the afternoon, observing the Rowans at a distance, I've began to grow attached to them, especially this one scrawny tree.  This little Rowan is planted on a grassy slope, near the bus stop.  Judging by its features, it seems to be young and in development. Viewing the Rowan at a distance, which is about the width of a street away, I could see its stick-like trunk.  It looks like it could snap like a twig at any breaking moment, but lucky it's supported by two wooden poles, like two crutches helping a human with a broken leg.  Looking at the leaves, they are not as abundant than those on a full grown Rowan, whose branches are brimmed with the green razors.  The  berries produced on the branches are in minimal amounts only appearing mostly on top of the tree.  
     
     I decided to take a closer look at the Rowan, and the first thing I saw are huge gashes on the trunk.  Then as I moved up, a small skinny branch grew on the side of the trunk, trying to prosper and grow, near the split between two branches.  Between the split of the branches, are spider webs attached on the tree and sometimes free flowing in the air.  I continued looking up, and within the bushy greens are some hidden berries, on the left side of the branch.  These berries are still in its early form, dyed in a lime green, camouflaging themselves in the leaves. 

      As fascinated I am on this tree, I am more fixated on the gaping wounds it earned.  I was shocked by how much it has endured in its life.  It's like as if the Rowan got itself into a lashing or two, or maybe in a war.  Amazed by the gashes made on the tree, I chose to sketch it.  On the process of drawing the battle wounds, I noticed a few bits of wooden fibers that sprung out.  In fact, I researched a few things about the Rowans, telling me that the trees are known to have fiberous wood, and the species I am observing are called a Sorbus americana.  Sketching out the wound,  small gnat-like flies began to swarm in front of my face.  To my annoyance, I tried to back up a little, but unfortunately the teeming flies get closer with each step.  In an effort to get them away, I blew at them, with each blow becoming stronger everytime the swarm decides to return back.  These little stubborn bugs don't want to move, as if they are guards protecting the tree.  Irritated, I took my notebook and paper, and swatted at them not caring if someone sees my unusaul actions.  After this little mishap, I'm glad that the sketch is finished, but still felt bad about the lacerations it received, making the Rowan look hopeless.

 

                                            The sketch of the gash on the wounded tree.
 
     However, the single growing branch and the apple green berries are like the trees symbol of healing.  The young branch had a green color, coursing up through the stem-like stick.  Its leaves, which consists up to around eight to twelve leaves per stem, are just like those grown on the top of the Rowans, except they are more razor-like and have a bright hue of green.  The hidden berries each day would turn into a new color from a vibrant green to a welcoming orange.  These two represents that the tree didn't give up on life yet, because of a wound that could be healed within a few months or years.  It puts a smile upon my face that this scrawny looking tree is still growing to become like most of its Rowan brethren, fighting back the pain it suffered. 

                                                      A quick sketch of the little branch.

      Looking at this Rowan, it reminds me of myself in the past.  I was a young and weak girl, but a strong fighter, like that of this tree.  I've been wounded and dealt with bullying in life, similar to how much the tree endured the wounds and natures gruesome weather. Now I'm free from this oppression, continuing on life and trying to heal my broken emotions.  I sometimes remember these memories, but when I see that wounded wood, it tells me to look on how much I have grown.  I've learned that in the first stages of life that one will face many mistakes and will struggle in obstacles.  It came to me that life is not just a blessing, but also a curse.
     

One Captive Week

     Fall break had just came around, and now it's almost over.  Throughout this relaxing week, I've been able to scrawl in some more notes about the Rowans.  Sadly, I didn't take them outside, but inside cooped up in my home, looking out the window as my alternative.  This is due to the fact, that my parents have to go somewhere most often, leaving me to take care of my sister, who isn't much of a outside person.  It might not be a vast set of observations, but ever since I started this project I haven't really made much of a close observation of these trees, near my home.  Now here is my chance, opening up the blinds, scanning around the limited space, observing them between three to five in the afternoon, with my notebook in hand.

    Looking through the window, taking in the view, I caught sight of two Rowans, with orange berries.  One is far back, across the street, next to another apartment building.  The other is too up-close in my view, that only half of the Rowan is shown.  Unfortunately with the lack of binoculars, I'm limited with a full view of the tree, with its details too small to look.

     For the past few days of observing the far Rowan, I noted that the autumn wind would occasionally sway the tip of the leafy tree.  In the afternoon when the sun is raised, illuminating the blue painted sky, the tree is coated by the light on the the left, leaving the right wrapped in the shade.  The patches of light gave the tree's leaves a positive green color of a stop light.  In the shade, the leaves are stained by a mysterious forest green, like those of a Pine tree. By the time the sun is hidden, everything is deprived of the yellow light, the tree is shrouded in the shade, with the berries giving a red crimson hue in my perspective.  

      On the days when the sun shining down, the tree close to me is basked in the warm rays.  The Rowan's leaves are brighten up by the pleasant sunlight, making them glow a neon lime color, until it darkens down into a forest green.  The branches shone white at the tip, then dims back into its cocoa brown color.  Its berries gleamed in the light, just enough to see the fruit inside.  As the days pass by, the leaves ruffled by the hands of the wind, with each blow becoming intense.  Seams of spider webs, linked on the branches, shined white and then disappear.  In the afternoon breeze, a single string of the web danced and whipped in the air.  A lively group of insects roamed, ranging from gnats to bees, glowing a bright brown, exposing themselves in the spotlight of the sun.  Then on the day I observed late in the afternoon, where the sun is hidden behind the horizon, it was quite.  Silence pervaded throughout the apartment complex, with the trees as stiff as a board, and the bright blue skies airbrushed with a misty white.
     Throughout this one captive week of observations, it was quite relaxing to see the life that roams around these Rowans.  It is indeed only a limited view, but I enjoyed the sight.  The warm afternoon radiance of the sun gives the setting a alluring and relaxing mood, making wanting to have a cup of tea with it.  Next time; however, I will be exploring outside more often than shut myself inside.

Just the Beginning

     Within the past couple weeks, I've been observing the Rowan trees, or the Mountain ash, growing next to the path of sidewalks, located around my apartment complex.  This is my subject for my two month Nature Project, assigned to my English class, which requires a relatively close observation on a living thing or surrounding.  I chose the Rowan as my main subject, because I haven't really looked attentively at the berry growing, green bushy leafed, half painted trees.  In order for me to observe a considerable number of trees for about five days a week, I would have to take the regular sidewalk path in the afternoon, that I use to pick up the mail and my sister.  It consists of me leaving home, walking to the mailboxes ,then to the bus stop, and finally another similar path to go back home, which allows me to eye a vast amount of Rowans a day.  During my walks, I would bring my trusty notebook in hand for notes, and some white plain paper for sketches.

     Strolling along the grey cemented path, searching for something interesting around the Rowans, I've seemed to stumble across a sighting or two of American Robins.  These robins are notable for their scarlet red feathered breast, with a dark charcoal feathery base, but if the pleasing afternoon sunlight hits them, the feathers have a warm grayish-brown sheen.  It has a yellow medium sized beak, with black beady eyes of a stuffed animal, and fragile stick-like legs.  They appear frequently in the first and other Rowans, near the mailboxes, perching themselves on the thin brown branches, next to a bundle of plump orange berries.  These Robins, below the Rowan, would occasionally get startled by my presence and end up spreading its wings, beating them quickly to fly up the tree, brimmed with green razor-like leaves, and bright orange ripe berries.  Walking close to them, they would move up or fly away.  Other times; however, they would stay, jump, and turn looking around their surroundings.  Mostly these Robins would like to indulge themselves on the feast of berries, whose colors can range from red or orange.  In my observations they seemed to favor more of the orange fruit, pecking at it, grabbing it in its beak, and then gobbling down the round orb or swallowing it like a pill.

     A few days past, and I noticed that the berries started falling off their stems due to the seasons changing to autumn.  The berries on the sidewalk are mostly crushed by human feet, leaving many crisp flakes behind, while a few are still intact.  The intact ones to my  surprise would have tiny black gnats that seemed to have taken interest with the fruit bearing tree.  They look more like little black dots, hovering around the berries.  Sometimes they would travel up the white trunk, to the brown portion of the tree, then to the stems of berries.  They would then sit still on to the fruit, crawling around the spheres.

     The Nature Project seemed to have gone very well for the past couple weeks.  I really enjoyed the observations, because it does awaken my eyes to realize how stunning the world is.  It gives me a peace of mind, to shun myself of my brooding memories, and it's a pleasant way to observe the gift of miracles that's given right front of me.  I will gladly look forward to doing this project, seeing now that the tree is getting even more interesting as it changes through the seasons.