Grandfather Fir at Grayson Highlands, 6/01/16...

I took a day trip to Grayson Highlands yesterday, 6/01/16.

I went to visit a tree.

I had previously named the tree "Grandfather Spruce." But I realized yesterday, he's a Fraser Fir. So now, his name is "Grandfather Fir." He resides along the mountainside on the south side of Massie Gap on the Rhododendron Trail.

~*~

On Thursday, January 29, 2015, I took a day trip to Grayson, and I prayed to Grandfather Fir. My prayer at the time was simple, "Heal my limbs..."

As I whispered those three words, the sole human standing on the snow-frosted mountainside with the cold winter wind kissing my cheeks, gazing up at that tall, strong, graceful Evergreen, more words immediately followed. "You have limbs. Strong. Durable. Limbs. Heal my limbs."

It was at that point, I began my intimate relationship with Trees who have become my living witnesses. Sometimes they cradle me as I ride Olivia through the woods, or as I walk when I'm able, or as I just sit or lay and notice them.

On June 10, 2015, almost five months after that January 29, 2015, prayer, I added Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract to my therapy. In July, 2015, my limbs began coming back to life.

I guesstimate that currently my legs are about 45 to 50% better and my arms about 35 to 40% better compared to this time last year.

And...I've thought of that tree...and my prayer to it.

Does that mean I believe trees answer prayers? Maybe so! :D

Beginning in the fall, 2015, symptoms have spread to my back, neck, and jaws; along with shortness of breath and 5-weeks of dizziness (probably orthostatic hypotension).

So yesterday I took a trip to talk to Grandfather Fir about my "trunk" and "crown." He has a trunk and crown...I want to borrow his strength.

Maybe my trunk and crown will respond like my limbs have. Wouldn't that be Groot great! :D

~*~

My pictures are taken with my old iPhone 4.

Wild daisies among young domestic Fraser firs. Tucker Road.

Grandfather Fir 

Grandfather Fir's above-ground roots

One of the Fraser fir families, heading north toward Massie Gap.

Feral chestnut pony galloping 

Fabio chasing the chestnut

Fabio in motion

Feral pony nuzzling feral ponkey in Massie Gap Meadow

At the border of Grayson Highlands and Jefferson National Forest.
I was able to hike 2.25 miles.
I'm proud of that too!
I met one AT thru-hiker whose trail name is Quiet.

~ magical day ~

What inspires you?

A few weeks ago, I wrote the following in response to the question, "What inspires you?" or maybe it was "What brings you inspiration?" ...or something along those lines...

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My Inspiration?

At the top of the list are my mom and dad, both deceased now. Dad lived his last 13 years as a quadriplegic after an auto accident at age 62. Mom was his main caregiver until his death. Because of her and because of Dad's determined attitude, those 13 years were filled to the brim with life and goodness. Mom and Dad really did make lemonade out of those lemons from the tree of circumstance.

Moving down the list, probably next are real life stories of so-called everyday people who continue to carry on, carry on. Most of those stories don't make it to the public media and news. Some we learn about in face-to-face happenstances. Some are hidden in script on pages between covers of a book. Some are publicly concealed deep in internet archives, along with billions of pieces of information. Some we live. There are lots more "somes" in this category.

Other inspirations are Mother Nature, the Cosmos, wildlife and domestic animals, so-called myth and stories, history, visual arts, music, poetry, gratitude, good memories, and...

Of course, my bike Olivia.
And the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And the Appalachian Trail.
And our National, State, and Local Parks.
And...

This list could go on forever....

~*~
This was fun to think and write about. That's inspiring too!
~*~