I think I know what i’m good at. I think I can out suffer most people. I can turn off the discomfort meter and and just go. If I want. I know I’m shy and a little awkward socially but I can also find a way to meld and fit into almost any place. I can make it happen. Maybe it’s survival instinct. I dont know. And I don’t really know how I do it. But lately I struggle with the transition. BigTime.

One day your on your belly on the side of some mountain crawling through the thorns and weeds and brush up to a group of armed men and you dont want to be discovered because some of these men are bad and a few days later your asking some guy to find your name on a list so you can go to a party with a bunch of over dressed over enthusiastic people who only want to talk about themselves and that transition is a little bit tougher than you expected.

Sorry if you were at one of those partys, I’m probably not talking about you specifically.

Sometimes these things are hard to articulate. My wife understands. Bless her.

I don’t like to over think things but it has occurred to me that at times I ought to think about some things a little bit more. But seriously, the thinking probably wouldn’t help much. Why start now.

Sometimes you know your limits and can see them coming a mile away and sometimes they sneak up and kick you in the balls.

Photo by Matt Powers

It does not have to be tall but it will not be young. The branches will be quite thick throughout, especially wide on the lower levels, and most certainly of the coniferous variety. The needles provide shelter from above in the certain event of rain and do to the trees age, there will be a thick mat of needles, shed over many many seasons, to provide a comfortable base on which to lay a hide or blanket. The lowest branches must not be too low and should provide ample headroom for sitting and in some cases even standing (if you are not too tall). Perhaps there will be smaller branches down low that have broken off upon which you may hang your hat or lantern. There will definitely be plenty of room to spread out and be comfortable, even if you must spend several days there. A Zeke Tree will always feel like home.

And more than all the physical requirements, a Zeke Tree is about a feeling. A feeling of safety and generosity. Comfort and character. No one knows just how many Zeke Trees there are, but what is known is that each is quite unique.

The tree is best understood in context to the man. Side by side. There is a darkly colored felt hat. battered and sweat stained. Holes worn in the creases of the brim. A generous salt & pepper beard conceals a warm smile below kind eyes. There is a calm confidence & openness. Perhaps he may be accompanied by a grumpy mule named Frank. Perhaps not. In any case the Man and the Tree seem at once to be perfectly suited for each-other, as if the tree had been waiting, growing for maybe a  century or more, just for the day of his arrival.

Zeke Trees.