Last post I spoke of a trip to the snow to escape the cold of Fresno. Here is a picture of my daughters with sun in their face. They are sad we have to return to fog.
Below is my typical look for winter. Four layers of clothing, a cat for good measure, and a sad face to complete the ensemble.
As the flowering trees are beginning to bud, I’ve noticed some haven’t yet lost their fall leaves.
Speaking of trees, these last two shots were taken at my daughter’s elementary school. What is odd about them?
Below is a closer look. They are all leaning in one direction except the last one. I’ve never noticed it before and she’s been a student here since kindergarten (she’s in 6th grade). When they built this school forty/fifty years ago, I imagine they planted a row of trees. Maybe the unstaked trees leaned from wind damage or who knows, other than it makes me scratch my head.
Poor thing reminds me a little of me. I always seemed to be a stand out kind of kid, and never in a good way. I’m still the odd man/woman out but this tree helped me in ways no self-help book could ever achieve. In today’s publishing market, you must stand out to get noticed. Yet, here I was, still trying to be a conformist, trying to blend in out of fear of being called out, exposed. No more. Expose me.
So here’s to looking at the glass half full; here’s to embracing my inner weirdness and harnessing its super powers of noticeability. Here’s to … oh heck. Please nobody listen to me until the fog clears. This happens every winter.
Tricia
Tricia Sutton's Blog 
Here on Canada’s west coast, particularly even farther west on the west side of Vancouver Island, there are trees with branches flung eastward by the winds off the ocean. They at least have an excuse for their directional bent. I wonder what excuse your school yard ones have, especially the really crooked one on the end. They look strong and sturdy anyway, despite leaning. I’d say there’s an analogy… maybe something about celebrating individuality? Or weirdness? It’s all good, no matter how you interpret it. 🙂
Carol~Wondering what its excuse is is baffling. But it is flowing with analogy invites, isn’t it?
The “old” people still talk about hurricane Edna back in the 50’s. It was such a wild storm that it twisted some trees and they apparently kept growing crooked. Since I wasn’t there I can only repeat what was told to me.
There’s nothing wrong with being one of a kind, Tricia. Your tree is proof of that, it inspired a blog post and served as an analogy, not bad for a crooked little tree. Don’t you think?
Laura~Oddly enough, I noticed it (and its message) so late. From kindergarten to sixth grade, and I just now see it. It must’ve been time.
The crooked one self-corrected it’s growth. It apparently was never staked, or staked too loosely, or came loose and was pushed over and no one noticed. Knowing it was meant to grow upright it pointed itself that way. Applaud it’s determination.
You know, at this point, I’m thinking it might be worth doing something stupid and taping. Just think how much publicity you get from a video going viral on YouTube.
Linda~You mean the cat on my back isn’t good enough? 🙂
Maybe we can brainstorm and come up with a viral-worthy video. Maybe we can sing a Justin Beiber song.
Hey, now if you want to go shopping at Trader Joe’s with your cat-sweater on, I’ll bring my video camera. 😀
I wouldn’t stand out at Trader Joe’s. Maybe Tahoe Joe’s.
I can explain it perfectly. The two trees furthest from camera are Simon & Garfunkle fans. If you check out pictures of S&G they always complimented each other by leaning in opposite directions. It all makes fabulous sense.
Tooty~You did explain it perfectly. Fabulous sense, indeed. Why didn’t I see that before? I feel so dense. Of course, now I’m picturing the Mickey Mouse Club. Didn’t their little dance number involve heads poking out from opposite directions? Or was that just a nightmare I had? Very thought provoking.
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How weird that the tree grew completely opposite. Hmmm. But Tricia, seriously? You? Trying to fit in? You always stand out. So embrace it. 🙂
And I’m ready for no more fog too. When will it go away? I’ve been cold all winter. Really cold.
Kasie~I read today that cold weather makes you skinny. It worked for you. Why not me?
Oh, and your daughters are gorgeous.
Thank you, they take after their mo–father.
Super powers of noticeability, every writers dream!! Tricia you are a word genius. I thought your foggy day post was very insightful. After all we do want to stand out to get published, yet we all try to be alike too. I’ve never thought about it in those terms. Your self-help post, just helped me.
Candice~Glad I could help. 🙂