My father tells me that he and my mother have snow. They live in the mountains about 300 miles from here. I am jealous.

The good news is that next weekend we plan to go there for a visit and hopefully the snow will still be around. I need to go for a walk in the woods. There are some things I need to do there. I am looking for a special rock to put in our front yard as part of the landscape. And I know just the spot to look for one. I want to check on a tree that I planted once by a certain creek. I grew it from seed and transplanted it there several seasons ago. I may have to do a little digging in the snow to find it, but I am pretty sure I know exactly where it is.

I wrote a poem about that seedling. And about a certain skeptical friend I had at the time. He may have been right, we shall see.

The Atlas Cedars

While you theorized about viability,
I gathered the seeds.

While you pondered long term commitments,
I found the potting soil.

While you pontificated about ideal conditions,
I planted the seeds.

While you lectured on optimum lighting,
I rejoiced at their sprouting.

While you doubted their sustainability,
I watered the seedlings.

While you criticized the locations,
I transplanted the trees.

While you nurtured your theories,
two cedars were born.

Today I touched, with wonder and awe,
the work of my hands, the fruit of my faith,
the rewards of my deeds, and smiled........
Actions spoke louder than words.