Front Yard Trees - 50with50 No. 27 / Make a Positive Change
Wonderful Trees
Trees fill the front yard of our house in the latest entry in the 50with50 series. And in a roundabout way they remind me of how we can make a positive change. Keep on reading to see what I mean.
If you have not figured it out yet, we like trees. They have been the subject of the last few 50with50 posts, and we have several trees in our yard. In this view alone, you can see three large trees, which are a pear, a pine, and a sweet gum, in that order. But also at the far left is a crepe myrtle tree, of which we have six in the front yard. At the lower right is a very young tulip poplar, which just happens to be the state tree of Tennessee. We transplanted two young tulip poplar trees a couple of years ago when they were even more just sticks than what they look like now, and they appear to be thriving this year. And then there are several other trees in the background that are too numerous to mention here.
I like trees for several reasons. First, they add a bit of life to an area. I feel sorry for yards without trees. Trees make everything feel more alive, even in the winter when they lose all of their leaves. That is why over the years we have planted several in our yard. It all looked pretty bare when we first moved in. Over the years, we have gone from two trees in the front yard to 12 trees now, along with several cedars around the edge to provide a natural fence. Those two original trees were the pine and sweet gum in this photo, and they have grown a lot over the years, as have all of the other trees.
Another reason to like trees is that they clean the air, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen necessary for us to breathe. We are doing our part to help out the air quality!
And besides all of that, trees make great photographic subjects. They never do talk back or complain when you try to take a photo. They do have trouble staying still sometimes, but don’t we all? And they may show their frustration sometimes by dropping pine cones or even limbs onto the ground, but it never really feels malicious when they do.
I am thankful that God created trees!
Make a Positive Change
Unfortunately, we had to deal with one of the downsides of trees recently. A large tree limb fell on the horse pasture fence. We had to cut it up and get it off the fence, and then repair the fence. Fortunately, the horses did not even bother trying to get out. I don’t think they could, because the tree limb was large enough to block their path.
So we had some great quality family time spent cutting up and moving the tree. If you read that last sentence with a little sarcasm, that would be okay, too. But we did all work together to get it accomplished. We tried cutting up the tree the old-fashioned way, but it went much more smoothly after the purchase of a new chainsaw. It is funny how much more quickly you can accomplish something with modern tools! Some of us did pick up a little poison ivy along the way, so there was a downside. But good work was done and the horses are still safely fenced in. Not that they would try to go anywhere and leave the good life anyway.
Just about everything has a good side and a bad side. Trees help the air, trees provide shade, and trees can cause some damage with their large limbs. That is the reason that we do not have any trees right by our house, even though we do enjoy the shade of the trees. But we can’t keep everything away from trees, so we do end up repairing the pasture fence from time to time.
There is good and bad to be found in most everything. Fire, for example, can either be a good heat source or a destructive force. Wind can provide a cool breeze or blow things down. Money can help us get what we need or turn into an addiction.
And people can either build others up or tear others down.
Be the kind of person that is always looking to build up others by the things that you do or say. Be a blessing to someone as often as you have the opportunity. Show kindness and love to everyone. Counteract the negative messages so present in our world by living a live of love.
Make a positive change in the world around you, not just in words but also in actions. It will make the world a better place.
Bible Verse
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29
About the Photo
As you might guess, this photo was taken at the same time as the previous tree-related photos in the 50with50 series. And as you might guess, this photo was taken with a 50mm prime lens, which is what qualifies it for the 50with50 series.
I am really enjoying the look of this photo. It follows pretty closely the look of the last several photos that have been posted here over the past couple of months. I would not say I have settled on an “official” look to my photos, because whenever I have said that in the past, I have changed my mind soon after and gone in another direction. But this might be the longest I have stayed with one “look.”
However, that look keeps being refined with every photo. There are subtle differences in processing here and there. Little changes that make each photo look the best that it can look. Unfortunately, it is almost never as easy as just a couple of clicks and you are done. But I enjoy that challenge of it. Keeps me on my toes, as they say. Which is fitting, since I am usually not wearing shoes while at home during these COVID-19 days.
Photo: Each photo is a single Raw exposure, processed in Aurora HDR. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Date: May 22, 2020
Location: Home, Williston, Tennessee
