November 6, 2009

Perhaps to dream

My only recurring dream played again last night. The dream is remarkable not only for its fidelity to plot and regularity of occurrence, but also for the duration of its run. I have been dreaming this dream since the Johnson administration.

In the dream I discover an embankment or small mound of earth studded with dozens of arrowheads - glossy black obsidian, iron-stained chert, gray-blue flint, and quartz as white as pearls or clear as glass. Some are imperfect, but all are delicately knapped. I fill my pockets, and eventually wake up - bereft of pockets and arrowheads alike.

I am not an artifact hunter, and it has been many years since I found an arrowhead. Yet I am always inexplicably saddened by this dream. It leaves me feeling moody and morose.

Interpretations, anyone?

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November 5, 2009
Found under a pine log on the Molly Mitchell trail: a northern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus). This charming specimen is a lead-backed morph, and in real life is only about 2.5 inches long (5 cm). If I had a pet Plethodon cinereus (and I wish I did) I would name him Carl Turner.

Found under a pine log on the Molly Mitchell trail: a northern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus). This charming specimen is a lead-backed morph, and in real life is only about 2.5 inches long (5 cm).

If I had a pet Plethodon cinereus (and I wish I did) I would name him Carl Turner.

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Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) nut and husk - so named because the large husk does not deliver on its promise of a large nut. The nut shown here is about 0.75 inches long (2 cm).

Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) nut and husk - so named because the large husk does not deliver on its promise of a large nut. The nut shown here is about 0.75 inches long (2 cm).

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“ The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today.
Chinese proverb
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The American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is my favorite tree. I love its smooth gray bark, and the way it wears a skirt of tawny brown leaves all winter long.

The American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is my favorite tree. I love its smooth gray bark, and the way it wears a skirt of tawny brown leaves all winter long.

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Most of the beeches (Fagus grandifolia) were scarred with declarations of undying love. On the Molly Mitchell trail.

Most of the beeches (Fagus grandifolia) were scarred with declarations of undying love. On the Molly Mitchell trail.

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On the Molly Mitchell trail. Shelf mushrooms.

On the Molly Mitchell trail. Shelf mushrooms.

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The Molly Mitchell trail at Northwest River Park, in Chesapeake, Virginia. The trail passes through a mature forest of American beech (Fagus grandifolia), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), and hickories (mostly Carya tomentosa). Boggy bottoms support stands of bald cypress (Taxodim distichum).

The Molly Mitchell trail at Northwest River Park, in Chesapeake, Virginia. The trail passes through a mature forest of American beech (Fagus grandifolia), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), and hickories (mostly Carya tomentosa). Boggy bottoms support stands of bald cypress (Taxodim distichum).

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October 30, 2009
Marilyn Munster (Pat Priest). No attribution available.

Marilyn Munster (Pat Priest). No attribution available.

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Edward “Eddie” Wolfgang Munster (Butch Patrick). No attribution available.

Edward “Eddie” Wolfgang Munster (Butch Patrick). No attribution available.

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Grandpa (Fred Lewis). No attribution available.

Grandpa (Fred Lewis). No attribution available.

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Lily Munster (Yvonne DeCarlo). No attribution available.

Lily Munster (Yvonne DeCarlo). No attribution available.

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