night

“I willingly confess so great a partiality for trees as tempts me to respect a man in exact proportion to his respect for them. He cannot be wholly bad who has a sympathy with what is so innocent and so beautiful. But quite apart from any sentimental consideration, the influence of trees upon climate and rainfall gives to the planting of trees, and to the protection of them where nature has already planted them, a national importance. Our wicked wastefulness and contempt for the teaching of science in this matter will most surely be avenged on our descendants. Nature may not instantly rebuke, but she never forgives the breach of her laws.” March 25, 1888, James Russell Lowell

bare trees

Beauty

On the road. Out of Charlottesville. Heard today that the Charlottesville City Council voted to remove a statue from the urban landscape. Councilors! When you make a decision, consider asking the Joe Riley question. “Does it make our City more beautiful?”