Final entry

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

This will be the last entry dedicated to the tree on the corner of Thorndike and Howard St. in Somerville, MA. I read in today's newspaper that the tree was cut down, and I immediately went down to see and take a picture. Not surprisingly, the tree had inspired many, and she apparently had been given the name Bertha, but the effort to save her was ultimately in vain. I am most thankful that I was able to document this magnificent plant for almost exactly one full year. Enjoy this blog, and an example of the life cycle of a beautiful willow tree.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sent from my g-phone. Beautiful autumn day in Somerville.

Fwd: First e-mail entry

This photo was taken Friday evening using my new g1 phone. I am
attempting to e-mail this pic.

Re: First e-mail entry

This photo was taken Friday evening using my new g1 phone. I am
attempting to e-mail this pic.

October 15, 2008

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

We had a windy weekend, and the cold is starting to penetrate through the house. I have been keeping the heat turned off, but it is only a matter of days until I can't hold out anymore. I wonder when the tree will start to lose leave and start to get ready for winter. I suppose it is starting to thin out already...

Early September

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

This picture was taken on one of the glorious days that we had earlier in September. The tree is looking full and alive. Now that we have had a few windy storms and some cooler weather, I expect the next picture to be minus a few leaves. I'll try to get out there this week sometime.

Back to School

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

As I get ready to go back to school and start the next year, I think about the cycles as they continue. There is comfort in knowing what is to come and what to expect, and the excitement lies in the fact that you can never be truly sure about the future. The cycles of our life repeat, yet they are never really the same again.

August 2008

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Another beautiful day walking through Davis Square in Somerville.

7/28

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Just back from vacation, and my favorite tree is in all of her glory. If you look back on this blog, you will see the tree in the middle winter looking almost totally dead. Hard to believe this is the same tree. As summer goes into fall, I will keep taking pictures of the tree very few weeks until I have an entire year documented.

Memorial Day Weekend

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Wow, it is hard to believe that just a few months ago this tree looked truly dead. This past Memorial Day weekend it was looking just beautiful. It is just difficult to fathom such trouble in parts of the world when scenes like this are so peaceful.

April Showers!

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Well, I just returned to Somerville from a week-long vacation out West. The tree is looking greener and fuller by the day, and soon you will not be able to see the branches beneath again. Pretty soon people walking along the bike-path from Davis Square will stop and gaze at this majestic tree.

Beautiful spring day

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day. With the days getting longer, I finally have time after work to walk by and get some nice shots of the beautiful tree. Of course, you can still see the trunk and branches underneath, but in just a short while she will be full again.

Spring is in the air

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Well, it has been a long winter season, but the tree is starting to turn a light shade of yellow. This is a sign that it will soon fill in again. Cycles like this truly amaze me; this tree has stood here at this spot for all of these years despite unimaginable changes and events taking place in the world around it.

February 20th

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

This was a glorious winter day, and I actually had the day off so I was able to catch the tree behind a clear blue sky. I love this angle without all of the wires that block your view most of the time you catch the tree. Is it starting to turn green again yet?

February 16th

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

The sun was reflecting in a beautiful way off the tree, but my camera was temporarily not working so I missed the prime shot.

Jan 30th

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

I'm still learning how to take pictures without much light. This was taken just after 5:00 PM, so it was getting dark.

January 18, 2008

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Originally uploaded by gsb954

Well, I guess winter is starting to subside because today I was able to get home in time to snap a picture before dark. If you walked by this tree for the first time today, you probably would think it was dead. Just wait until next spring and summer!