The Traveler

When my younger brother travels, he likes to carry certain items with him. Oh, I’m sure there is a toothbrush and a comb tucked away in his good old, reliable, metal suitcase but the items to which I refer are not your every day normal travel items. No, Richard’s “travel companions” are what most people would consider a bit odd. But, to Richard, they are more like treasures from which he does not like to be separated. It is not unusual for him to pull out a long handled, red flashlight from his shiny case, or a douk-douk knife, or his book. This is not the book he is currently reading. No, this is the same one of two books he brings with him every time.  I can’t remember which one it is. He likes Hemingway, so it could be one of his novels. He also likes Kurt Vonnegut, so maybe I’m wrong about the Hemingway thing and it’s a Vonnegut book. None the less, he packs one of two books for each and every trip. There’s always some sort of leather bound journal tucked in between shirts and shoes in which he probably makes personal notes; Hum, I wonder if he ever writes anything about me while he’s away? I’ll have to ask! My favorite thing he carries with him is a lovely piece of twisted wood he has skillfully carved, then smoothed and stained. Its use is interesting; it’s just for holding. I believe he calls it a “stress stick”, or something like that. Anyway, its structure is positively exquisite and to hold it is quite calming!

My brother lives in Houston and occasionally comes to visit us in Dallas. But, most of his journeys are business trips that take him to far off places, some of which I have never even heard of before. Richard is more than special to me. He has become somewhat of a mentor to me. He goes all over the world. Because I am so proud of him, I like to think he has been just about everywhere you could possibly imagine. He use to travel to those creepy places where, if you smile the wrong way, Guido takes you back off the plane and “borrows” your new laptop forever! Aha! I guess that explains the importance of the leather bound notebook.

Upon his return from these far off lands, he often shares with us a story or two. My all time favorite is the story about his search for a Coke machine in the hotel where he stayed while he was somewhere deep inside Siberia. The directions he had received led to a deserted, cement hallway deep in the basement of the hotel. Once he finally found the Coke machine, he was sorely disappointed and quickly decided not to use it; sitting beneath a liquid dispenser sat a small metal cup connected to the machine with a long metal chain. Boy, are we ever spoiled!

Many of the items he carries on his travels are to be used as gifts once he arrives to his destination. One time, he took some small American flags with him. He used them as presents for the children of his coworkers in the Soviet Union. He also took a small metal airplane. This was a gift for the son of one of his friends with whom he had become well acquainted while on previous trips. I think of this often and wonder how many other people would have bothered. As I mentioned earlier; my brother is very special and I am quite proud of him.

Some have felt the need to ask Richard why he weighs down his grip with so many strange things; not I.  I understand completely because, to a smaller extent, I do the same thing. Well, maybe not the douk-douk knife! That’s pushing it a bit! None the less, what can ease a little homesickness better than a quick personal note in a worn leather journal alongside other such notes written on earlier trips. Or, a restful curl up on an unfamiliar bed next to an almost memorized, dog eared, Kurt Vonnegut book. Imagine the comfort of just holding a red flashlight brought from home for ‘just in case’, or maybe the beloved comfort stick in hand, the one the boys help make. And who knows, there might just be a tiny, little, left over, American flag laying on the floor by the big silver grip. When home is probably your favorite place to lay your tired head, and you can’t be there, I guess a bed full of treasures from there helps you feel about as close to home as you can possibly be.

Here's to many more safe travels, Rich!

TOPIARY TREES

“A delightful sight for me, you see, is an enchanting, whimsical topiary tree”.

On my writing desk, nestled between some of my favorite, dog eared books, sits a much loved, shabby, topiary tree. Soft red and white ribbons dangle lazily from its midpoint as it lounges, snuggled down, in a little vintage urn filled with dried rosebuds and velvety green moss. It is here where my tree happily keeps company with lots of other special bits and pieces of my long and wonderful life. Photos of my dear grandchildren convey my present joys, and a lovingly made clay dinosaur, poinsettia paper weight and a set of affectionately carved wooden houses are gifts from children who have since grown to make me very proud. This is also where I enjoy my favorite past time; writing. Like all of my other treasures, my topiary tree has a quiet beauty that brings inspiration and comfort to me as I silently sit, remembering times past and putting my precious thoughts down in my journal.


I don’t exactly know why they so intrigue me, these beautifully sculptured foliages called topiaries, but they do. Traditionally made by delicately pruning Box, Myrtle and Bay Laurel trees into charming geometric or animal shapes they are easily spotted. When I spot one, a quiet smile creeps on my face and my spirits soar! Not surprisingly, my home is filled with countless variations of them. They hang in art form, on the walls of my entry way to warmly welcome guests and family into our peaceful home. Displayed in large outdoor urns, our wooden deck serves as backdrop for tall evergreen topiaries as they stand sentry, carefully shading my more delicate flowers from the harsh Texas sun.


My husband and I often open our home to celebration, so, like old friends, my best dressed topiaries visit my dining room table regularly, always stylishly clad in whatever is called for by the season. Sometimes they give support to the hot summer months and are dressed in sunflowers or jasmine and sometimes their lovely orbs are draped with fall leaves and garnished with tiny little pumpkins. Decorating them brings me pleasure and reassurance that yet another glorious season is ready to be enjoyed by all!


Whether exquisitely sculpted foliage, protecting a stately English garden, or made of rambling rosemary, perched in a crumbling clay pot atop a lonely kitchen window sill, I find the topiary tree captures my attention and allows my mind to wander to times past. Perhaps the comfort I sense from their mere presence stems from their ancient history. With this in mind, I made a decision to research their past to find out a little bit more about their origination.


The word “topiary” comes from the Latin "topiarius", meaning ornamental landscaper. A treasured gift to us from the Romans, Greeks and Persians, the topiary tree has been with us for thousands of years. Caesar first used bushes and trees of box, myrtle and bay in a sculpted form of beautifully trimmed hedges in his meticulously landscaped Roman gardens. His gardeners began to experiment with geometrical shapes and designs to form intricate walkways which became known as mazes. Ancient travel allowed the spread of this unique art form to Japan where it was gradually altered and took on a shape more like miniature trees. They call them bonsai.


Popularity of topiary spread and flourished in 17th century England as the aristocrats and royals fashioned in the Franco-Dutch gardening style. However, when Alexander Pope, a famous London literary scholar, wrote a critical piece on the topiary, poking fun at all the mazes and shapes being created and displayed, the rich lost interest and removed the topiary from their gardens. Local cottages kept it alive, however, by turning the practice into family heirlooms.


Nearing the 19th century, John Loudon, an admired Scottish botanist and garden magazine editor, voiced his concern about the diminished use of topiary trees. Between his trusted word and the renewed national self confidence known as the American Renaissance, the practice was quickly resumed and the eye catching beauty of the topiary tree once again returned.


Topiary trees can be found almost everywhere and are used to help celebrate special occasions throughout all corners of the world. They can be simply made of rosemary and sage to add an irresistible Tuscan flair to open-air kitchens, gardens and patios. Topiaries with roses and ivy delicately clinging from frames of hearts or circles make even the loveliest of all weddings more memorable. And when planted in large, stately urns and placed on either side of an ordinary front entrance, coned shaped ivy topiary trees instantly add a refinement and charm otherwise lacking.


Most of the time, the word topiary brings to mind that of a single tree. No so! Topiary can also be the beautifully sculpted foliage that you see in the form of mazes, animals or geometric shapes. This makes sense when realizing the origin of the word topiary which is "topiarius" (Latin for ornamental landscaper). The art form was influenced originally from the Romans, Greeks and Persians.


Topiary also consists of evergreen shrubs, bushes, and trees that are clustered together to form shapes such as an elephant, clouds, dogs, dinosaurs or even people. These shapes, since they are not loose and leafy, can remain as sculpted with only the occasional pruning required.


Whatever your preference, topiaries add a sense of fun and humor to a home and are most always a wonderful topic of conversation. I suggest you add one or two to yours so you can realize the same enjoyments as I get from mine. Enjoy, and happy fall to you all!

Me Day!

"Me" Days!

The last 2 days I have been very busy taking care of myself! My Mother instilled in me the importance of taking care of "me" when I was just a young girl and I have held tight to her teachings for many a year. The idea around this is not new; it is just difficult to do without feeling guilty! Well, back off the guilt train, ladies, and go have fun! Down here in Dallas, men like for their ladies to look pretty. Anyway, I say, perhaps they enjoy a game of golf with the guys, we enjoy a pedi-mani and a chat with a friend! Sounds like a fair deal to me! There are any number of ways you can get in some "me" time. Here are some "me" ideas from my check list...

Nails done? Check!

Toes done? Check!

Exercise an hour in the pool doing water aerobics? Check!

Home facial? Check! (Gotta’ love my Mary Kay)

Make appointment for mammogram? Check!

What can you all add?!

You get the picture, don’t you girls? Do whatever fits your budget and your time, but for heaven’s sake, do something just for you! I have a massage every month because it calms me down and helps the fibromyalgia pain. Put it in your budget…this is all important stuff! You need to be ready for any event that may be right around the corner.


Don’t let anyone take this away from you. You’ll be a better mom, wife, daughter, employee, person if you just take some time out for a ............."ME" DAY!