This tree is one of my metasequoia trees (Chinese dawn redwood). A deciduous redwood tree, it appears to have survived the winter and decided to give spring a shot – so I relocated it into my greenhouse.
Day: March 16, 2022
Caveat: Life in these red lands
Here is a snapshot of my daily life.
A coworker and a regular customer are in the store. The customer is talking about the fact that he’s moving back to Florida (I hadn’t realized he was from Florida). My coworker asks him, “So, what’s it like there? Is it a good part of Florida?”
The man makes a thumbs up gesture. “Oh yes. It’s north central, west of Gainesville. Dixie County. Confederate flags everywhere, freedom, lots of trucks with gun racks. You don’t have to worry about city people, criminal types.”
“That’s excellent,” my coworker grins. “That’s perfect for you. K [name of his girlfriend] will like it there too.”
Notice how things are coded, in the above conversation. None of what was said was meant ironically, in any way. Terms like “city people, criminal types” refer to minorities and immigrants. There is such an immense amount of fear.
Caveat: Poem #2053 “Things to do when you’re an eagle”
ㅁ I rose up through the air on my wings and made sweeping circles, slowly surveying the trees and rocks tasting the salty wind until in the end I chose a spot and swooped down and perched there.