Thanks, Hal. I’m glad you found your Norwegian heritage to be a springboard for your writings. I was totally surprised to read that you put so much effort in renewing that church bench. Wow.
(Where is that bench living now? I couldn’t place the spot.)
Thank you, Hal. I'm writing a sermon for my UU Fellowship (in San Diego) about moving on, downsizing, reframing, etc. and your story about the tree is perfect. Is it ok to quote from this episode (with attribution, of course)?
This one is jam-packed and I love it! I remember our disbelief at finding out there are such things as ping pong academies, let alone one 30 minutes from us. And the benches are just gorgeous - after many hours of your work. Also, lol at making mad passionate love under the stars. Love you too. ❤️
I loved this story about the tree and your beautiful metaphor for life. I’m glad you are tending to your physical garden now so you can, hopefully, enjoy the sun shine on you in the near future.
So much to take in with your story, text, music, images and pleasant voice. Glad I read your comment on substack go this AM.
I finally, for good, a year ago cut down the corporate work tree life, departing a misfortune 500 company, in a forest of misguided tree leaders. It is far happier being a tree hugger in life, of course hugging the proper tree. Thank you for your creativity!
Ah ha so your European too 😊 I've been looking at Norway in my huge and amazing atlas ...
This living in a body audio really touched me when u describe the joy of the community re ping pong . With time the community is becoming a distant cousin, yet it's right there out my window ... Such a strange experience .
Yet , a hugely spiritual one . We don't have any trees in the garden apart from one beaked willow I have in a pot .. it doesn't look at this stage it will bud but Im hopeful . I keep talking to it saying ' your going to have all new compost soon hang on ... ( By the way I love how Americans say compost just how it reads ... In the UK we say com p ost ...so u say it like toast at the end we say it like Aust as in Austrailian . Gee does that even make sense when read 🤪
My metephorical tree is a hefty trunk.of self anger .. this m.e CFS journey is teaching me sooooo much with the central feature of self love and self compassion .. so with the trunk being cut down ( it never had branches it was already a dead stump.. the space is being cleared for new grass to grow , pretty flowers to bloom and the beautiful gift of kindness to take its place 💖
This is so good. Thank you for sharing. And it's touching on a personal level too because I have done tree work, so I relate to that push and pull between removing a living thing and all the other life that can bring. It's a beautiful metaphor, and a deep and complex part of living in a body for sure :)
Thanks so much Ryan! Every time I’ve had tree work done, I have that initial shock of bareness, but things have always filled in nicely. Thanks for your comment. H
Thanks, Hal. I’m glad you found your Norwegian heritage to be a springboard for your writings. I was totally surprised to read that you put so much effort in renewing that church bench. Wow.
(Where is that bench living now? I couldn’t place the spot.)
❤️❤️
Yes. It was three church benches. I'm not sure that the they've found a permanent home yet. Thanks Ma. ❤️
Thank you, Hal. I'm writing a sermon for my UU Fellowship (in San Diego) about moving on, downsizing, reframing, etc. and your story about the tree is perfect. Is it ok to quote from this episode (with attribution, of course)?
You're welcome! Yes, of course... and feel free to share this publication with your fellowship. Thank you. H
I remember this! It was so much play a part in that mission!
Yes. Those were a couple memorable nights. :)
Hunter!! I look forward to the day that he can have a rematch or 2.
Yes!
This one is jam-packed and I love it! I remember our disbelief at finding out there are such things as ping pong academies, let alone one 30 minutes from us. And the benches are just gorgeous - after many hours of your work. Also, lol at making mad passionate love under the stars. Love you too. ❤️
I know. This is like 3 stories in one. What will I say next week!?
I loved this story about the tree and your beautiful metaphor for life. I’m glad you are tending to your physical garden now so you can, hopefully, enjoy the sun shine on you in the near future.
Thanks Evelyn. Yes…. Looking forward to Spring. :) H
Thanks, Hal. I like what you write. That final question must've touched a nerve - tears sprang to my eyes. Thinking about that.
Thanks so much for feeling that and sharing it here. Enjoy. H
So much to take in with your story, text, music, images and pleasant voice. Glad I read your comment on substack go this AM.
I finally, for good, a year ago cut down the corporate work tree life, departing a misfortune 500 company, in a forest of misguided tree leaders. It is far happier being a tree hugger in life, of course hugging the proper tree. Thank you for your creativity!
Hi Michael. Thanks so much for checking me out and for your nice comment! I wish you all the best in your new life. :) Hal
Thank you so much for this -- it was wonderful to hear your voice which is particularly resonant.
Elizabeth! You’re welcome. Thank you for listening. H
“You just don’t go cutting down things that are Norwegian. “ ☺️
Thanks KK. ❤️
Ah ha so your European too 😊 I've been looking at Norway in my huge and amazing atlas ...
This living in a body audio really touched me when u describe the joy of the community re ping pong . With time the community is becoming a distant cousin, yet it's right there out my window ... Such a strange experience .
Yet , a hugely spiritual one . We don't have any trees in the garden apart from one beaked willow I have in a pot .. it doesn't look at this stage it will bud but Im hopeful . I keep talking to it saying ' your going to have all new compost soon hang on ... ( By the way I love how Americans say compost just how it reads ... In the UK we say com p ost ...so u say it like toast at the end we say it like Aust as in Austrailian . Gee does that even make sense when read 🤪
My metephorical tree is a hefty trunk.of self anger .. this m.e CFS journey is teaching me sooooo much with the central feature of self love and self compassion .. so with the trunk being cut down ( it never had branches it was already a dead stump.. the space is being cleared for new grass to grow , pretty flowers to bloom and the beautiful gift of kindness to take its place 💖
Hi Emma. Thanks so much for your engagement here. Yes. Com-post. :) bring on the new grass, flowers snd kindness.
This is so good. Thank you for sharing. And it's touching on a personal level too because I have done tree work, so I relate to that push and pull between removing a living thing and all the other life that can bring. It's a beautiful metaphor, and a deep and complex part of living in a body for sure :)
Thanks so much Ryan! Every time I’ve had tree work done, I have that initial shock of bareness, but things have always filled in nicely. Thanks for your comment. H
Love this
Thanks so much Trish. I miss you. H
I miss you too. Would be happy to visit sometime. I’ve joined an online writing group. Have written a few poems I’m pretty happy with.
Now we know about the benches at church! Inspiring story!
Thank you for listening, Vanessa… and for being the first commenter. 🏆