Jonathan Evison Meets The Largest Tree In The World, A.K.A. The Lulu Book Tour In Bakersfield
August 10th, 2008by N.L. Belardes
BAKERSFIELD, CA-
Jonathan Evison stood against the giant.
Ancient, massive, untouchable to many, the General Sherman tree was suddenly a towering symbol of the publishing world. Yet there was Evison—a Lilliputian caught in a world of giants—having hopped a little fence surrounding the tree to touch the beast.
Evison, author of “All About Lulu” and the forthcoming novel, “West Of Here” had just finished a book signing in Bakersfield. “All About Lulu” is honest, controversial, healing: a bodybuilding book of familial discontent. It’s America’s nuclear family under a broken microscope. The main character is a geek, hopeless, hopeful, All-American and tougher and more sarcastic than any stereotypical high school jock from the 1970s.
Put a red polka dot shirt on Evison and he would still look like a bug that just crawled from Sherman’s sequoia bark on what might seem a tiny, insignificant patch of tree. And though Evison isn’t bug-like or buggy at all, he stood at the tree’s thriving base, proud to have finally met his boyhood dream.
Video: Watch Evison Meet A Giant Tree
Sure, Evison looked like he should be walking downtown in some cityscape, waxing philosophical about books, philosophy, the dramas of the human experience. But Evison had been wanting to see this tree since he was eight years old. His back was against the spirit.
He wore his grandpa’s black hat, a white T-shirt and a pair of dress pants. “I’ve gotta get to a dry cleaners in L.A.” he said during the day. We’d just driven from the southern Central Valley, nearly got in a car wreck. No one was expecting a walk in the mountains just after a book tour in Bakersfield.
Jonathan Evison At General Sherman Tree, Giant Sequoias
Evison sold some books at Russo’s. It’s his grand book tour skipping across the West. But here was the moment: the tree, the General Sherman itself, the man in Evison, his boy dream, the beauty, the top-heavy deadness of the monstrosity, the immensity, the picture book stories finally framed into their proper perspective.
“Stretch your arms out,” Evison said to us and took several photos. I was with two of his friends: A guy he called Brooksy and filmmaker Justin Hamacher who was making a documentary about debut authors. We imitated birds. We were grounded ducks. This was Evison’s dream after all.
Far above us the top of the tree loomed dead. I thought of my own writing, my own dreams. I walked away from the tree and thought about hopping the fence to go touch it. I wanted more than anything to feel the bark, the edge of a giant knot curled like an aged muscle of twisted, toughened wood. There were holes at the base. I wanted to slip through them like a snake. “Crawl through them,” I suggested to Evison. His counterparts told him to back off. He was about to slither.
The tree was old, alive, a faint breath of the ancient Earth core exposed. It’s soul was a hardened canopy of treetop wind. It penetrated bark and granite. It was a bony hand of ethereal darkness stretching into a watershed cliff.
I wanted to grasp the soul, touch the tree. But I knew the time wasn’t right. I needed to wait a while longer. Maybe when my loved ones were around we’d go touch the tree together. Or just stare upwards, walk in circles like firefly sprites around the massive base. We’d see the tree in its 2,200-year-old leafy beard, its growling face, hear its ancient language. We’d marvel at the scars and wonder which tree in the nearby grove could ever take its place.
A book tour took me to this place. A little book made from wood and dreams.
I listened as Evison told stories of wilderness, sasquatch, camping trips with dogs and notebooks. His gravely voice and old soul suddenly seemed so youthful next to the tree.
Video: Watch Evison Meet A Giant Tree
Meet Jonathan Evison, drink free beer and down Jello shots this Thursday, Aug. 14. Details. Support his dream.
*************************************
N.L. BELARDES is a journalist, blogger and videographer. He writes several media blogs, including Noveltown’s Paperback Writer and Nick 2.0 (Formerly on ABC23). His work has appeared on the homepage of CNN.com and other news sites all over America. You can purchase Lords: Part One, which describes the infamous Lords of Bakersfield. They still creep the city long after they and a 1977 Central California dust storm ravaged the area. N.L. welcomes humorous notes and news tips to his MySpace or Twitter.
Tags: All About Lulu, authors, conservation, emerging writers, General Sherman, Giant Sequoias, going green, Jonathan Evison, large pines, literary thought, nature blog, North American trees, Sierras
N.L. - this is fantastic. I mean, I love Jonathan and his book but this piece was so poetic and romantic that it felt like home to me…
“The tree was old, alive, a faint breath of the ancient Earth core exposed. It’s soul was a hardened canopy of treetop wind. It penetrated bark and granite. It was a bony hand of ethereal darkness stretching into a watershed cliff.”
loved this!
Great post, Nick! Looking forward to Jonathan’s reading over here in Los Angeles.
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-BL
AAAARGH!!!! Dicktater!!! he strikes again!!!!
he’s giving me a nervous breakdown
this post was great. now, how shall we storm Brads castle? I’m got a hurricane cloak and some miracle chocolate….
I’m bringing dog poop.
NICK, this writing jumped out at me, as it were a wild beast of sorts.
Everywhere in functional society, there are preventive signs, cages, fences, contracts, and man-made obstructions to alter our progressive grasp of what is further.
Evison bent out of the cage of suppression, to get close to the General Sherman tree.
The dignity of size, of the General Sherman tree, is due to approximately one-half of it being above the ground.
“Jump the Fence!” suggests bent monkey cage.
Evison wanted more than anything to feel the bark,
the edge of a giant knot curled like an aged muscle of twisted, toughened aged wood.
There were holes at the base. He wanted to slip through them like a snake.
lee daniel perry at bentMONKEYcage
My cybernetic friend, Lee Daniel Perry. I wonder what electrical currents you would gather from the tree, wire into a keyboard and let rattle in tree song? Great to see you here on The Nervous Breakdown… Bend the monkey cage, get out and touch the tree! Yes!
Lovely piece…makes me want to go hug a tree!…and then buy his book…
Thanks Josie. I always look forward to your comments. I never know what to expect from you, though no matter what you’re always supportive of all the writers on here…
I think in a way I saw through all the marketing of a book tour and recognized that Evison was just another guy with a gut-wrenching book. It’s pulled and stretched from his soul like a branch from that old tree. Only low enough for us to swing from and enjoy.
You’re the reigning comment queen. I have a long way to go to be as consistent as you.
“It’s pulled and stretched from his soul like a branch from that old tree. Only low enough for us to swing from and enjoy.”
And you’re still at it!
You’re on a poetic roll lately.
Pst - note the fancy reply to this comment feature.
Man, I remember when this place was just an alley way out back o’ BL’s apartment where bums came to relieve themselves…
Amazing what a remodel can do to a joint.
(You know I only stalk the good writers NL - Thanks for leaving the curtains open
This is way too fancy. But I’m trying it. See? I am thread-commenting… I think since I quit ABC23 I have allowed myself to think a little differently.
BL’s apartment? I thought Brad lived in an RV covered with mood ring paint. Can you just imagine what color it is when driving through Melrose in rush hour traffic?
Thanks for stalking my writing. I stalk comments which is kind of the same thing…
Nice article. There is something about those old trees that makes my troubles seem so small!
I wonder what those old trees have seen? A good chunk of my childhood was spent up and around the sequoias and redwoods.
You don’t have to comment my blog but I would love it if you would do a review of our next CD (if you still do that sort of thing).
Heck yeah! Would be fun to write about your tunes. When is it going to be done? Thanks for the nice comment. I used to go to Big Basin a lot as a kid camping in the Redwoods…
ooooo - I just watched the video!
So great. Thanks for sharing that NL.
(Those people obviously didn’t know what caliber of star they had in their midst at that bookstore :^)
great article and video! jonathan evison, justin hamacher, and brooksy were just the nicest, sweetest fellas…
i hope to see those giant sequoias myself soon. i want to touch the trees, to grasp the soul! what a wonderful adventure they must have had….
people, buy the book, see them in la la land! support authors!
Beautiful, soulful piece of writing.
So…I have this friend who is voluntarily homeless. (What? I live outside of Boulder.) Anyway, he says he just returned from a “sit-in” (sit-up? swing-in?) on trees threatened by loggers. Apparently, unbeknownst to the rest of us land dwellers, there is a whole Ewok-style village high in these trees - with ropes for transportation, giant dream-catchers on which to sleep, the whole works: a whole village of unwashed, hairy pixies. He said his feet didn’t touch the ground for over two weeks. When I ran into him last night by a creek side in a friend’s backyard, he still had fairy dust in his woolly beard. Not sure why I’m telling you this…except maybe you caught a glimpse of him high up in the forest canopy and thought you were seeing things? (No…not a bad mushroom trip…just a care-free, frolicking, voluntarily homeless hippy - arboreal variety.)
Thanks for the beautiful words.
I remember an industrial version of an Ewok style village in the warehouse arts district of San Francisco. I imagined the little teddy bear artists with giant goggles and welding everything imaginable and never touching the ground where metal shavings lay dew-like.
I think people are the Ewoks and they’re everywhere. We just need to look up more often.
Hmmm - I just made a connection. Steam punks = Ewoks.
Oh my God they’re everywhere wearing people suits.
Dang. What gorgeous writing! Granted, I’m a big fan of the literary and introspective, but if this new writing style feels right for you, go for it. It’s my favorite of all your writings thus far. Well done!
~C
Ah, Ms. Wathen… thank you so much. I always knew you were a quiet lurker. And don’t forget to watch the video! Woohoo!
Brother, you are catching fire lately.
What a great piece! I love the poetic prose and introspection. I can only imagine what a massive old tree like that would inspire upon seeing it. I think it would shake you to your core.
Someday I hope to journey to the Sequoias myself and see and touch those giant old trees and experience their mystic wisdom.
Oh… forgot to say that I met Jonathon Evison at his book signing at Russo’s in Bakersfield and bought a copy of his book! I can’t wait to delve into the book and his mind… he seemed a very interesting old soul indeed.
It’s a great book and totally reminds me of my childhood. But then, Jonathan and I recently discovered not only are we both the same age, we were born in the same hospital just days apart… Although I think the hospital staff in Santa Clara remembers me more, not because I was cuter, but I had such a giant infant head…
…giant infant head? ha ha… was your head really that big at birth, too?! just kidding.
Sort of disproportionate like an 8 ball swinging around on the end of a pencil.
. . .ha! can i just say what an incredibly hospitable host nick was? . . . we had a great time in bako– i’ll report more when i get a chance to catch my breath!
I’m glad my crusty old couch to sleep on is considered me being a good host. Do you need another bag of chips yet? Brooksy might get hungry.
I can see it already…
ebay
For sale
crusty old couch that once belonged to NL Belardes… rumored to have been slept on by Jonathan Evison!
Bidding starts at $100K…
At least wasn’t the couch seen at the end of this post, which was destroyed for the sake of punk shui and family values. It was a great bonding moment with my kiddies. Would have made for terrible positioning during the night….
Hey, that was a great post NL. I totally need to get that book. Here’s some trivia… I’m an interior designer! And what he writes about is pretty much why I left the business in 2006.
And RE: Vanna’s panties - they lay, you lie. Or do you really have them in that trunk?
100s of models. 100s. In fact, I have another trunk of panties I use for a coffee table. Total punk shui.
You left the business because you stabbed a couch to death?
jonathan,
you, justin and brooksy were so sweet! you’re all welcome anytime.
As a recently added admirer - a la twitter - I must say I love your way with words. I’m looking forward to reading Small Spaces in its entirety. Trees are always wondrous aren’t they? I grew up in the Santa Ynez valley and I still love to see the twisty, gnarled branches of the oaks as they wrap about each other. They are truly beautiful to behold. Thanks for the reminder.
What a beautifully written article! It’s like the tree was a pilgrimage of his past.
I’ve never read Evison’s work but I think I’ll have to check it out now.
I myself love both writing and trees and I think they fit wonderfully together. Trees have this calming energy about them that brings out the best in people. They are also fabulous listeners
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Evison’s next novel, “West Of Here” has a lot of tree themes in it. It’s coming out next year and I’m really looking forward to it. Lulu is just an amazing little tale and hilarious. I mean, everyone should be from a bodybuilding family the way Evison writes…
Cool story, its funny that just last night I had a guest over at my house and we were talking about the Gen. Sherman tree. I wonder if they also stoped and climbed that little boulder on the way up there. Its a heck of a climb for me but as long as the sky is clear, the view from there is more than worth it. I look forward to more of your blogg’s N.L. Richard
We did! Moro Rock. In a way it was scary as hell because the carved stairs just kept going up and up like some kind of rock hewn spiral… the sheer drop offs were astounding. The watershed valley was breathtaking. I felt like I was on a mountain peak, the granite stairs carved by the giant trees.
The cracks in the stairs made me a little nervous, like at any moment the entire rock could fall into the infinite void of the valley…
Mesmerizing. And Brooksy did it in flip-flops~! Ay!
how long did it take before your body started to feel affects from your adventure? lol…
I think it was instantly. In fact, there were some pre-stair gas bubbles.
Oh that climb sounds scary as heck! I think I would get vertigo on that staircase… I would definitely fall into the void of the valley! Ay!
I’d not come across any of the personalities involved here previously. However, reading this poetic and very human piece I’ll make every effort to check them out. Humility and soul were what I took from this, and hopefully the novel will be similar when I read it. Those are two qualities lacking in much contemporary literature.
Nice. Makes me want to see it. Sounds like quite an experience.
This is so beautiful .
Wow…. “I wanted to grasp the soul, touch the tree.” I too would love to feel the incredible command that tree deserves. To feel and touch something so old and so wise.
Imagine the multitudes of people that have touched that tree, and in return their lives touched. Like that of yours and Evison. Maybe it’s possible my small world I live in is limited by the tree canopy I place above my head. Just a thought.
I bought a book! How many hot dogs dig you guys eat?
We have yet to have our gargantuan BBQ. We ended up eating at a terrible Mexican food restaurant in downtown Visalia. We were starved though…. Thanks Bakotopia Matt!
When I reflect more on your beautifully written words, I can’t help but to ponder the childhood dreams I have and yet not fulfilled. Perhaps not as poignent as seeing a giant ancient tree or seeing and feeling it’s soul. However, I look forward to exploring those dreams.
What a wonderful climax to a writers childhood dream. Dreaming of beautiful trees, then having a book printed of the material your dreams consist of. Incredibly symbolic.
I was 72 when I started looking for this box to comment it, now I’m 73 and getting hungry, maybe I should eat a tree, Wow, what was that tree doing when they spiked Jesus to that lumber he drug on his back up “the skull” Viciously funny was ficiously, I mean ficticiously funny, delishiously funny, yeah man, go for it, snip and snap with Click and Clack, yeah and
Clic’s in a funny little stingy brimmed porkpie hat. Wish I could go three day without a hangover. Somebodies gotta pimp me out man, you know, guard my corner, while I give the biggest trees in the world the come on. Buy my book “Lost in America” told with a staight face and a pen that bleeds onto the paper. Okay, Nick you asked for it, Vato.
Joe we have got to hang out so I can hear more of your stories… As always, your comments are filled with shaman dreams and mystical wanderings…yep, even in comments!
Awesome tree! Standing in proximity to it is humbling indeed. Touching it is another story. Your story is a unique analogy that employs good simile. It flows easily like an unimpeded stream, and leaves this reader shaking his head in an affirmative manner. Good luck with your writing.
http://www.authorsden.com/richardlcederberg
http://www.richardlcederberg.com
“The tree was old, alive, a faint breath of the ancient Earth core exposed. It’s soul was a hardened canopy of treetop wind. It penetrated bark and granite. It was a bony hand of ethereal darkness stretching into a watershed cliff.”
Beautiful! Very poetic. I’m longing to go see that tree now.
N.L.:
As so many others have already said, “beautiful writing.” Nicely done. And GREAT video.
Great blog. I love those pictures and the video also. OH how I would like to touch that tree myself. The free beer and jello shots really got my attention too! : )
Kissa
“A little book made from wood and dreams.”
Very well-written, sir. Elegant and stirring, with the masterful touch of a true journalist. I’m happy to make this a regular spot during my Internet walkabouts…
There’s true poetry and mirth in this tale, each sentence drawing one in like the rings of a coertex. Very touching and surprising. Thank you for posting!
Stephen
Talk about putting things in perspective. This story captured my imagination and inspired me at the same time. The sequais have always been a wonderment to me. And, the way this article was written, gave poise and dignity to them while enhancing the readers attention in a collasel way.
I’ve read 3 times.
It’s like a favorite episode. Would it be a cartoon?
‘A little book made of wood and dreams’?
When was that idea jotted down?
There is more to life than books, but who cares what?
Climb the tree, you might fall down.
It may fall first.
Magnus, you are far more poetic than I.
All of a sudden I can imagine a cartoon version of our trip to the giant tree. Such moments are animated, surreal, a Tim Burton whimsical dreamisode…
Aren’t all books made from wood and dreams? I just wrote that down while writing this piece yesterday…
I think I would ride the tree like a slide into imagination…
I love the idea of ‘a little book made of wood and dreams’… I think it’s amazing when as adults we fulfill our childhood dreams.
Holy crap, there’s a photo of Josie on here. All this time I thought she was the ghost mother of Brad Listi haunting TheNervousBreakdown.com…
This reminds me of going into Muir Woods in San Francisco. There’s something about the quality of air amongst the giants, a richness of oxygen, that makes your soul poetic. Good job of channeling that feeling.
People need to watch your crazy 1980s D&D geek vids. Thanks for stopping by, Charlie.
Great article, tahnk you for sharing this insightful and beautiful work. BO
Bo, my fellow Bakersfield poet. It’s so great to see a comment from you. Let’s go scream poems to the masses…!
Lovely article-thank you! There is definitely something ancient about those trees, something magical. They are a presence in themselves, so permanent. Like Charlie B commented, this reminds me very much of Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco. Nothing smells better than that pitchy sap scent and a hint of the sea air rolling in with the fog…
Wow! I haven’t thought about General Sherman tree in years. After reading this a car adventure is looming! Thanks for sharing this great look into a moment in your life and adventure. You put words together so nicely!
Road trip! Missed you in Hollywoodland…
I seem to be either 2 steps a head of you or 2 steps behind… Some day we might cross paths.
I am takin’ a road trip with my KIDS’ 19 & 24 & my daughter-in-law to go see General Sherman. I remember seeing it as a kid with my folks. This shall be a great family outing. A first!
Thanks for inspiring me to go see it again.
I agree with everyone else, you have amazing writing.
I want to see the tree now!
Dray, not only should you see the tree, you should go to Moro Rock. Several of us had bowel movements up there because we were so frightened at how high we climbed on the rock stairs. Funny, the bathroom shouldn’t have been at the bottom. Should have put that bad boy way at the top where people felt like they were perched on top of Mt. Poopy Fuji.
Oh yeah, go by Jonathan Evison’s book. It’s ALL ABOUT LULU!
Now why didn’t I think of that…Nothin to wipe w/ up there is there. LOL Moro Rock way scarry! Good ol’ terra ferma for me please.
Be careful, the book is made from pages of sandpaper print just to prevent anyone from ever tearing out ‘wiper pages.’ But then, if you’re into that sort of thing just make sure you read them first…
That tree is almost as big as my….BRAIN!
Lando, your brain is the size of two Shermans and a Grant. At least in your dreams. Hey, thanks for being the star of the video along with Evison. I love when you go deeper into the den of card-addict subculture while at Russo’s. And the part where your eyes go buggy is funny too…. oh, and GREAT SONG. Hey everyone, my kid is a rock star in the video… (proud papa)
I’m so glad that everyone has the same feedback about this article. It is eloquently written and passionate. You’re always a beautiful storyteller, N.L.
Jonathan, I’m glad you enjoyed Nick’s company! He had so much fun with you guys… Hope to see you again soon.
. . . and i very much enjoyed your company and hospitality, as well! . . .thanks for the forty pound bag of chips!
I heard Jonathan used it for a crunchy air mattress, which is a whole lot more comfy than sleeping on all those stacks of Lulu we gotta sell on this article.
Buy ALL ABOUT LULU everyone!
Did he go to Moro Rock like I told him to?
Yeah we went. It was wild! Thanks Rob! Looking forward to the IN-Denials show this weekend…
Great writing! I loved your similes and other figurative expressions. Wonderful description.
I have always wanted to go to the Sequoias sometime, but it just hasn’t worked out yet. Lovely piece of writing.
“The tree was old, alive, a faint breath of the ancient Earth core exposed. It’s soul was a hardened canopy of treetop wind. It penetrated bark and granite. It was a bony hand of ethereal darkness stretching into a watershed cliff.”
This is beautiful.
Great article …
I’ve never personally been close to any of these gigantic trees.
I LOVE the pictures of them, as they dwarf whatever flesh being is also sharing the photospace.
Someone on here spoke of the trees’ majesty having a way of dwarfing us and whatever problems we might have. I’m sure it would do that for me. Like looking out at a massive field that stretches out as far as the eye can see.
NATURE!!!
… this from the Brooklyn, NY raised city slicker with no travel experience.
The tree was old, alive, it’s soul hardened and it had scars, but yet it still stood–Hmmmm, sounds like the spirit of people who have been through much and yet still survive. Great descriptive piece and to top it off, a video and photos! Your article has me wanting to know more about the author and wanting to read his book. Great writing Nicky boy!!!!!
Only my auntie can write something so philosophical and then end with “Nicky boy.” Love you lots.
I agree… that old tree soul is the spirit of survival in all of us! What a great image! Very inspirational.
And hey… I thought I was the only one who called you Nicky boy!
I’m glad to see you are doing what you are, Nickipoo! It’s been five years, hasn’t it, since we shared wood and dreams down in the BC Library? I have a little book in mind about my colleagues and their actions and attitudes over the years. ‘Twould be a good catharsis for me and provide some “Aha!” moments for anyone in the professor business. Hey, I enjoyed the article, the video, and reading this conversation list. I’ll try to get a copy of Evison’s book; sounds like something worth a few laughs and we all prophet from those.
Clark? Are you still Segway surfing and chopping wood on Colorado hillsides? Those were good times and memorable conversations and you know I’d love to see any manuscript on Bakersfield professor shenanigans. Will there be a chapter on me?? Yes, read some Evison… you’d dig “West of Here” coming out next year. There’s some big trees in dat!
Ok what’s up with everyone else stealing my nick names for you??? First Nicky boy and now Nicky poo!!! What’s left? Dork? Ay!
Ya all quit stealing my N.L. nick names and just be inspired by his beautiful prose!
Clark is my cool homeboy intellectual from Bakersfield College. He is the rebel segway rider of the west, the digital media college monstrosity, the mucha lucha of tree chopping! He could call be babydoll and I’d say, “yessir!”
N.L.’s prose is beautiful… nicknames? We forgot to add nicky-doodle!
A pizza guy once yelled out Dick #30 while I was in high school. I refused to pick up the pizza. I know, I was being a baby.
Ahhh, nothing better than the story of a current pinnacle of one’s life meeting the current pinnacle of another’s life. It’s too bad trees can’t philosophize though. That would have been one crazy debate of philosophical perspectives. Ultimately, it seems like I missed out on an amazing day. Good writing!
Jordan I don’t think you missed out. Think about this: if we take Lando you can watch the both of us poo rocks on the Moro while you stand like a falcon overlooking the valley void… Now that’s family!
You’re a philosopher, Jordo. Keep digging into those college texts. I already want to cybernetically connect to your intellect.
Cool. I never saw General Sherman, but I’ve seen some monster Sequoias down in Big Sur. they do make a person realise how insignificant they are in comparison.
I lived in the SF bay area for almost twenty years and once traveled the entire length of Highway One It’s a spectacular trip.
Great metaphor on the opening paragraph of the blog - good writing.
I’ll be checking out your books - I was well impressed by the quality of your blog.
Cheers,
GEO
Very cool! Interesting piece and nice use of language. Kudos!
Very nice. Man’s veneration of the tree is a deep and ancient instinct. If, as evolution indicates, man began his ascent when he came down from the tree and assumed an upright posture, then it is not asking too much to believe he should retain some memory of the event in his genes.
Wonderful article, an entertaining read. I’ve seen and touched the Sequoias, before, truly an unforgettable experience.
Wow , I have never seen the majesty of those beautiful trees , but after reading this , I feel like I was granted a tiny peek …Beautiful
For someone who appreciates nature so much, the giant sequioas are a must for you one day, Maura. I’ll send a rusty canoe to take you off that tiny island of yours…
The giant sequioas do capture anyones imagination. A book of great interest.
Thanks for sharing.
http://WWW.myspace.com/ceciliomejias
“A little book made from wood and dreams…”
I have read Lords of Bakersfield Part I and know Mr. Belardes’ abilities to sustain a novel length work, but here in this short piece he has wonderfully captured what seems anachronistic–those giant Sequioas can’t be real in this modern video game age–and inspired me to take another visit!
Did you see? This post made it to Galleycat! Cool!
Thanks Kaytie. I just went over and took a peek at the Galleycat post. I left a comment over there. They said some nice things about Evison…
That tree is a beast. I love it and need to get out and lay a respectful hand upon it!
The description of the character as a small geeky beetle lost in the woods inhabited by Sequoias gives a David and Goliath feel to the story. The success of the little man’s book that ultimately came to pass through the felling of a tree and the processing of it’s pulp to form the words of “the dramas of the human experience.”
Small geeky beetle. Sounds more like me than Evison. He’s the hip beetle, the radio beetle, the RV with the co-pilot dog in the woods beetle…
Great piece. It really brought me back to standing in amongst those giant trees, even at 10 years old realizing that they’d still be standing and growing long after I turned to dust.
You’re quite the wordsmith and I’m impressed every time I click over.
There is something special about ancient trees. I’ve not seen that one, but I have visited some of the old oaks in the UK. Nicely done piece… it really captures the feel.
I might trade a couple of sequoias for part of Stonehenge.
Growing up in NoCal my family made frequent trips to the Redwoods when I was a kid. I’ve been face to face with General Sherman and many other greats. A few I’ve slithered my way through, and imagined making my home in their hollows. I never feel better than when I go my tree hugging ways and make the trip to the mountains to wrap my arms around one of the greats, take in a deep breath, and just relax.
I love the way you describe General Sherman - fantastic! I need to make a trip up to the Sequoia’s soon
Hey, Cubicle Dweller. Always great to see your words. By the way, your email sucks. Or are you avoiding me? Don’t answer that. heh.
Beautiful desripitve writing Wordman. Took me back to visiting the majestic tree and the stillness of time… Inspired me to check out “All About Lulu” as well! Nice job!
There should have been a giant tree in Lulu. Instead, there’s a dinosaur. That’s sort of giant treeish… Yes, check it out. Books are fun and cool and smell nice.
A flattering and accurate depiction of the spirit within our great state. I love this place. Word.
Very cool and interesting. Being from the east coast I have never seen the sequioas, but the descriptions and pictures make me long for a trip out west.
The East Coast could make some out of Legos. Talk to Donald Trump.
It’s nice to be reminded that we’re still capable of awe… and that, directly or indirectly, books can bring us there.
I have never seen a tree that big in my life! (insert “and that’s what she said” here) It almost looks surreal! The trees in my forest are tall, but nothing with a wide base like that. Holy cow, that’s mesmerizing.
We’re talking massive wood. Crap, that came out wrong. OK, you know stonehenge, this is like woodhenge, like a real Washington Monucock. Crud. None of this is working. I think your “Holy cow” says it all.
Imagine the condom!
I need to pick myself up off the ground from laughing.
Massive wood. haha.
And can you “schwing” from it? (insert the theme to Wayne’s World here)
I just know the spirit of the tree is going to step on me the next time I see it.
Pretty nice site, wants to see much more on it!
“Far above us the top of the tree loomed dead. I thought of my own writing, my own dreams.”
(shivery!)
Nick-
Just now reading this piece. What else can I say that hasn’t already been said? It is indeed beautifully descriptive and awe inspiring and a reminder that nature is so amazing, trees in particular, with the symbiotic relationship we have with them, essentially breathing together.
And, I’ll just come straight out and ask this, do you have a poo fetish? You mention it multiple times in your comments? I’m just asking, not judging…
I think for the sake of this comment section I must have. I’m going to see if I can conjure Hanky the Christmas Poo right now. It’s the holiday season, right? Crud, I owe you a phone call. I’m calling today!