My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled,
Quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun,
All felled, felled, are all felled;
Of a fresh and following folded rank
Not spared, not one
That dandled a sandalled
Shadow that swam or sank
On meadow & river & wind-wandering weed-winding bank.
O if we but knew what we do
When we delve or hew —
Hack and rack the growing green!
Since country is so tender
To touch, her being só slender,
That, like this sleek and seeing ball
But a prick will make no eye at all,
Where we, even where we mean
To mend her we end her,
When we hew or delve:
After-comers cannot guess the beauty been.
Ten or twelve, only ten or twelve
Strokes of havoc unselve
The sweet especial scene,
Rural scene, a rural scene,
Sweet especial rural scene.
(G.M. Hopkins, “Binsey Poplars,” 1879)
MIND & MATTERS 
Living across the street from an area being cleared for a home for CATS, the Cherokee County bus service, I find today’s writing especially meaningful. Those beautiful trees did no harm to anyone. They did supply shade, from the afternoon sun, for our windows. Now they are gone. All of them! This in the shame that has been misnamed as “progress”. O’well, I so enjoy our times together Jon and must point out that your wife and son did a marvelous job as they ministered to us last night. The evening was filled with the Spirit, some laughter, and some tears. The tears were from Veldon, his family, and others who have a special bond with him. You would have thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Well, I will hush with wishes for a good and safe week for you, thanking you for your love and your ability to “break the bread” for us. I love you Jon.
Henry
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So well said, Mr. Henry. Agreed. I do not know how we can call concrete jungles progress. Nowhere for the birds, for trees, for clean water, for prevention of erosion, for shade, for beauty, etc. Many designers and builders seem to have eyes only upon profit but no care for wise stewardship. I think we’ll reap the whirlwind for such shortsightedness.
I so hated not being able to celebrate Veldon & Tara’s service to the body. They are precious people who love the people and serve so well.
Thank you for the kind words and consistent encouragement, dear brother. Love you, brother; look forward to seeing you soon.
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