09/24
I decided to take advice from Baphomet and learn more about the natural world. We had Pagan Pride in Indianapolis today. A decent sized event held in one of our few decent parks. About midday I began thinking about the fire wand I’ve been wanting to make out of oak. I decided to wander the lightly-forested area surrounding the event and do some tree identification and maybe collect some wood.
So here goes self-confessed techno-pagan-urban-shaman-boy, iPhone in hand, examining trees and trying to determine their breed by the leaves. All I needed to do was listen to the squirrels.
I spotted a tree with some fallen limbs and went for it. I used a pretty good website that asks a series of questions to help you identify the tree. http://www4.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/Treekey/tkframe.htm While I stood there entering my data, the resident squirrel, while busily chewing a nut, kept chittering at me. He seemed to say, “move along dumb-ass, this is not the tree you’re looking for.” I ignored him, waiting for pages to load. “No really asshole, wrong tree.” He was right of course. I had found a white ash.
I bid farewell to the irritable tree rodent and brought up some picture of oak leaves, so I at least had something to go on. I spotted one I thought fit the bill and walked over. In that tree I found another squirrel, silent, yet bright eyed and seemingly smiling. She wagged her tail at me. “You got it honey.” To make sure I went through the questions on the website. As I once again waited for page loads she seemed to say, “No, really dumbski, you can tell by the acorns.” Thanks for making me feel like an idiot squirrel.
I grabbed a few choice branches and a handful of acorns and made my way back to the festivities.
I should have just remembered what I’ve known all along. The squirrel is always right. http://www.illwillpress.com/