"I talk to the trees..."
By Marvin Miller, America in Bloom President
As I hiked, I couldn’t help but think about America in Bloom.
I have often felt many of America’s communities look particularly glorious when
blanketed with snow. While Winter isn’t the season for most flowers (Hellebores
being one beautiful exception in many parts of the country), snow does both an
exquisite job of outlining trees and of covering man’s sins. And the winter
landscape, as alternately defined by a blanket of snow, offers new perspective
and almost offers the landscaper the opportunity to begin anew.
Winter’s solace also offers an opportunity for introspection. Thoughts of what might have been and of what yet may be often converge during quiet moments. A clean slate. Virgin footsteps. Winter quiet. New perspectives. Fresh ideas.
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| "Star Trails and Aurora Borealis" Copyright 2014 by Beth Ruggiero-York Used with permission |
“I talk
to the trees
But
they don’t listen to me
I talk
to the stars
But
they never hear me
The
breeze hasn’t time
To stop
and hear what I say
I talk
to them all in vain
But
suddenly my words
Reach
someone else’s ear
At
someone else’s heart strings too
I tell
you my dreams
And
while you’re listening to me
I
suddenly see them come true.”
These words, as sung by Clint Eastwood in the 1969 movie Paint Your Wagon, a remake of the
Broadway musical of the same name by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe,
captured my thinking during a recent snowshoeing trek in Alaska’s Denali
National Park. Yet, as I trudged through deep snow, I couldn’t help but feel a
connection to nature unlike the ones I experience during warmer times and with
more assured footing. The quiet of winter, interrupted only by the crunching of
snow beneath my marching feet, still offered the opportunity to reflect, in
part due to the low angle of the sun in that northern latitude and the cold. The
earth was blanketed with white. Evidence of man’s presence was hidden. And it
was beautiful!
As I hiked, I couldn’t help but think about America in Bloom.
I have often felt many of America’s communities look particularly glorious when
blanketed with snow. While Winter isn’t the season for most flowers (Hellebores
being one beautiful exception in many parts of the country), snow does both an
exquisite job of outlining trees and of covering man’s sins. And the winter
landscape, as alternately defined by a blanket of snow, offers new perspective
and almost offers the landscaper the opportunity to begin anew.Winter’s solace also offers an opportunity for introspection. Thoughts of what might have been and of what yet may be often converge during quiet moments. A clean slate. Virgin footsteps. Winter quiet. New perspectives. Fresh ideas.
Over the years, I can’t begin to guess how many people I personally
have talked to about America in Bloom. I’ve talked about city beautification
and community enhancement. I’ve talked about our judging criteria and a
community’s constituent groups. I’ve certainly talked about the impacts
flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs can have on one’s life and on a community’s
well-being, attributes that go way beyond being pretty through economic,
environmental, psychological, and sociological avenues. Conversations aside, this
monthly e-newsletter directly reaches nearly 15,000 folks, and I know many of
the recipients forward the newsletter to others, sometimes including entire association
memberships or city administrations. And my conversations and writings have
only joined the chorus of other volunteers who have shared similar messages
with many cities, with many volunteer groups, and with countless others who
have similarly shared their passions about America in Bloom. And yet, in the
quiet of a snow-filled landscape, there is reflection, and you can’t help but wonder
if anyone has heard the many stories that plants have to offer.
 |
| "Morning's First Light on Denali" Copyright 2014 by Marvin Miller |
Then almost suddenly, while still in Alaska, I received word
that registration has closed for the thirteenth season of our National
Awards Program. I am gratified to learn that 33 cities will be involved this
year, an 18% increase over last year and our highest program enrollment in 9 years.
We have 11 new cities in the program this year and 22 returning communities,
testifying both to value we have brought to cities in the past and to the new
opportunities we have yet to deliver.
Suddenly the doubt is erased. There is evidence that the
message has been heard. Folks ARE listening. Dreams ARE coming true.
Winter is a great season to plan, and with the official
advent of Spring over the next few days, we can hope that Winter’s solace and
introspection will lead us all to knowing our dreams can come true.
“I tell
you my dreams
And
while you’re listening to me
I
suddenly see them come true.”
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