When I learned that today is National Love a Tree Day, my mind immediately went to an old oil company TV commercial. It showed someone who claimed to be an employee of the company literally hugging a tree. As I remember it, he also stated, “They say I’m a hippie”, and he sort of looked the part, being slightly scruffy and counter-culturish. The ad was always good for a few laughs.
The term tree-hugger is typically used as an insult for environmentalists. But some environmental activists have embraced the term and proudly call themselves that.
And as it turns out, actually hugging a tree is now purported to be good for one’s physical and mental health. Apparently, it’s not just for oil company hippies and hardcore environmentalists anymore.
Maybe I’ll give it a try and see how it goes…or not. I'd feel pretty ridiculous hugging a tree regardless of its alleged benefits.
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I do not hug trees, but sometimes I pet their leaves and say hello.
There is this lovely white pine near my apartment that I often pass on my way to and from my car in the parking lot. It has branches near the ground that I can touch as I pass on the sidewalk. The needles are so soft. I love white pines.
---- Once I was walking on a hill in Maine. I thought it would be a short hike so took no water. That was a mistake. On the way down I got thirsty. Now, there was a fast-flowing stream nearby, but I still feared to drink from it. Yet then I spotted dewdrops on the pine trees that I passed. They were the hard-needled kind, unlike the soft white pines.
So I started rubbing the dewdrops onto my fingers and drinking the water off my fingers.
Thank you trees!
Eventually I took a break and sat down. Then a couple passed me going uphill. They asked if I was OK and I said I was thirsty, and that stream looked so good, but I feared amoebas. Then one of them gave me a water bottle. So nice of him!
When I got back to my car I was good, since I had a gallon of water and food in the back seat.
