This tree sits just outside my backyard. As you can see, she seeks desperately for some company. The person who lived here before me shoved a newspaper between the tree and a single post in the fence. Whenever the wind blows with more urgency than normal, the post makes a terrible sound like an old door opening on its own. Some days, I think she might break in through the sliding glass door, despite the efforts of the post and the newspaper. Some days, I feel just like that tree.
That’s it. That was all I was going to write. I was about to hit the Publish key and walk away, but then I thought, “Wait, that’s not my voice. That’s my temporary voice. The one that sneaks up on me sometimes when I’m tired and thinks I am good at self-loathing. So, I shut the lid of my laptop with fervor. Not ever necessary, as I mostly keep it plugged in, but it always feels good, like slamming the door after huffing a silencing insult. And you all know, that probably never happens to me. Then, I turned on some Louis CK, poured a second cup of coffee, and now I feel better. I feel differently about that tree. Here is my edit:
This tree sits just outside my backyard. As you can see, she seeks desperately for some company. The person who lived here before me shoved a newspaper between the tree and a single post in the fence. Whenever the wind blows with more urgency than normal, the post makes a terrible sound like an old door opening on its own. Some days, I think she might break in through the sliding glass door, despite the efforts of the post and the newspaper. Some days, I feel like telling that tree to shut the hell up.
And then I thought, wait, CK may have just rubbed off on me a little too much. I don’t think that’s my voice either. So I tried one more time:
This tree sits just outside my backyard. As you can see, she seeks desperately for some company. The person who lived here before me shoved a newspaper between the tree and a single post in the fence. Whenever the wind blows with more urgency than normal, the post makes a terrible sound like an old door opening on its own. Some days, I think she might break in through the sliding glass door, despite the efforts of the post and the newspaper. Some days, I feel just like that tree, but when I do, I suppress the feeling by telling my subconscious, as well as the tree, to shut the hell up.
I think I need some more coffee.
i enjoy your style and am always on a look out for your new posts. they’re amazing, keep em coming.
Thank you so much for your way too kind words (I’ll take them!) and for taking the time to write a response. I’m gracious for your feedback, and thrilled that you are enjoying my posts.
That’s hysterical. I can relate — except my voice uses slightly more expletives. OK, a sh*tload more expletives…but who’s counting?
Ha!
Ha! I may or may not have heard expletives in my head, but my fingers filter it when I feel like behaving. Glad you could relate!
You won’t believe the number of times I edit my posts. Some of them I even re-write by hand to catch errors. Then I read them aloud feeling for overlong sentences and complex words bunched together. Still, some of my writing looks like hell.
Nice post. Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed!
Oh, I hear you! I am still editing in my head, even after I’ve pressed that big blue button, but I’ll resist the urge… Arg, scary, it’s out there! I’m so thrilled to be Freshly Pressed, though. Thank you for the congrats. Come back and visit!
Nicely done. I think your writing is like a painting by the great artist who knows the painting is never done. You must have the courage to put down the brush and let the world see you have created something. Sometimes it is a masterpiece, and other times it is merely remarkable.
I appreciate you sharing this analogy. It’s a good one! Thank you for taking the time to visit and for writing such a thoughtful response. Come back again!
Reblogged this on absds and commented:
jadugar
You’re not only a great photographer.. but an amazing writer! Please keep blogging!
I really enjoyed this post and will definitely check out your others! Congrats on being freshly pressed! 
What a compliment! Thank you. I will be sure to check yours out as well. I am so excited about being Freshly Pressed, as I am exposed to so many talented new people out there in the blogosphere that I may have never found; it’s exciting!
Great post. Sometimes I feel like that tree, wanting to break down and through barriers. Most times, I’m good just where I am.
Thank you so much! I’m glad that you found something in the post you could relate to. Please come back to visit!
I can totally relate to this. Sometimes finding your writing voice is a pain. But when it happens, it’s like magic.
Truth! I’m so glad you were able to relate. At first, when I read that this particular post was going to be Freshly Pressed, I felt a little panicked (though of course, also excited, grateful, etc., etc.) because I wrote it on a day I had dun…dun…dun… writer’s block. Though now, it is a relief to see that people are able to relate, and there is a sense of support and comfort to know that other writers can share this with one another. Please come back to visit!
this really reminds me of the time i had a 5 min burst of inspiration and clicked publish instead of save draft..lol…brilliant!
Ha! I love it. I was really close to premature-blue-button-hitting this time. Almost always, after hitting that button, I have publisher’s remorse, not too different from the feeling I get when I have buyer’s remorse, which is all too often… Thanks for stopping by! Come back and visit!
This is good. I may just start following you!
Please do! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
A pleasure. I’ve been giving the whole thing some really serious thought, and I’ve finally decided that i will indeed start to follow you.
I hate making these kind of big decisions..
I’m so glad you have decided to take the plunge. I hope it didn’t take to much out of you! I followed you back so that it won’t hurt so bad.
Well, sometimes I find myself paralysed when it comes to making those really big choices in life, so I just decided to go for it – to hell with the consequences. I’m pretty sure I won’t be dissapointed, but unfortunately I doubt the same will be true for you.. I apologise now!
Excellent final statement – I enjoyed the three ‘voices’ in your posts and the struggle you portrayed with them.
I particularly liked ” Some days, I think she might break in through the sliding glass door, despite the efforts of the post and the newspaper.” – I have a tree just like that in my backyard and it sent me to thinking about your tree as well as my own. That is a great piece of imagery. Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful response. If you find anything that works on your tree to get it to simmer down, or grow in the opposite direction, please let me know! Ha!
I think my dog has *somewhat* scared it in to submission…when she’s not cowering in fear of the tree.
Ha! That is too funny.
WOW!!! This post’s made it to the ‘Freshly Pressed’ cut today. Congratulations!!!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t do the running man dance after I read the e-mail from the editors. Actually, it probably didn’t look much like the running man, so I actually wouldn’t be lying… Anyway, I was really excited!! Thank you so much for your support! xo
i hope you’re ready with the necessary evacuation arrangement… because a Tsunami of bloggers might be on your way… don’t tell me I didn’t warn you… u deserve it xoxo
So I randomly clicked on that beaut image and can honestly say I feel enlightened. You wrote how I feel in my mind but find it hard to write on paper. Thank you!
peace & light. MS x
Keep it up
I’m so glad you clicked! Thank you for the kind words.
This is me on a day to day basis. I enjoy your style and allowing your conscious to play a role in this post. Keep it up.
Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Come back to visit!
Thank
Turn that frown upside-down.
Reblogged this on Naomi's Place.
Interesting piece of writing, I like your style. Enjoy that coffee!
Thank you! Cheers!
This made me smile! Very true though. I think this is the process of writing….you try to keep calm on the outside, collect your thoughts though your inside is really screaming like hell. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not…but the while process makes us better somehow. Congratulations!
So glad! This response makes ME smile! Thank you for the congrats. Please, come back and visit!
I will =>
My voice retired a while back, so I never know what the heck is going to happen when I start writing. Love this post!
I just read your latest post; you may no longer have your auburn hair, but you most definitely have not lost your voice! Thank you for the nice comment.
I also share fond memories of a tree I once sat under in my backyard. My classmate and I shared heart to hearts, happy memories, and hard times underneath the avocado tree.
Excellent blog, I really enjoyed your insight. Keep up the good work. It is hard to find interesting blogs such as your own, so I also enjoy reading an informative and entertaining blog such as your own. Please visit http://www.mynutritioninsight.com for information and disease prevention and healthy food and drink recipes.
Mmm… avocados. Good on almost anything. Ha, sorry, you had me at avocado tree. I’m glad you were able to relate to something in this post. Thanks for visiting; I’ll be sure to visit your blog as well.
Isn’t it weird how we get to choose what attitude we want to have? Some times I feel that freedom is a pretty strenuous one to exercise!
No truer words.
Brilliant! Good at photos AND words? You’re a gem.
No, YOU’RE a gem! Thank you!
How delightful! Please tell me you do more writing than a blog, and that I can find your latest work at my favorite bookstore. Love your voice, and your responsiveness to the folks who’ve commented.
If only you could see my face right now. Actually, I don’t think my face turns red when I blush, but if it did, it would be Christmas!! Ha! Thank you for making my day!
Ha! Ha! Ha! Really enjoyed where this story went…also how you used filters on your photograph to color your storyline…very creative!
A laugh is worth a thousand words! Okay, I know that’s not how it really goes, but I’m so happy to have made you laugh. Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave such kind words. I hope you return!
Hahaha! Sometimes I have to tell the tree, my subconscious, and myself to shut the hell up.
This made me laugh! But please, don’t shut up! I just checked out your blog. Good stuff, you and that subconscious. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment!
I’m always editing myself, my mind, and my mouth! ok,maybe not so much my mouth
I like your blog!
Ah, but I’m sure that makes things ever so much more interesting! Thank you for the compliment. Come back and visit; your unfiltered mouth is welcome here!
Love the photo sequence. Make sure you have home owner’s insurance. That trunk looks like it would take the fence down and what ever else crosses its great fall.
Thank you! And, good point. That newspaper can only take so much.
Wish I could write like you do. Kudos.
Be careful what you wish for, Kenny, or you might be in for a lifetime of word foibles and self-deprication. Ha! I kid, though keep your voice, it’s the best one you’ve got. Thank you for such a great compliment!
Although I may not know some words you said and I still need to consult the dictionary. Haha. Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.
Ha! You just became even more endearing. No prob.
Endearing eh?
You just looked it up in the dictionary, didn’t you?
Not this one.
Well done, sir.
I’m a like a student now.
Maybe you should climb that tree before your next cup of coffee.
I’m afraid of heights; perhaps after another cup of coffee… with a splash of whiskey.
And this is one great post!!Congratulations on being freshly pressed!!It was like taking in some fresh air reading your post.Keep writing!!:)
I love this compliment!! Thank you for saying that. Please come back and visit!
Great piece of imagery! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
I’m looking forward to browsing your archives 
I’m so glad you want to stick around for some more! Thank you for the congrats. This has been such a great experience to be able to share something with people all over the world and interact with such kind people.
good
Thank you!
Perhaps after the next cup…you’ll want to go out and give the poor tree a hug!! She is lonely after all
Great post & Congratulations on Freshly Pressed!
“Treehugger” is basically a term of endearment to most Austinites… so it only seems appropriate! Thank you for the kind response!
Definitely one of the most interesting posts I’ve ever seen
Thank you, Vandhana! “Interesting” is one of my favorite compliments. Your blog is interesting! I’m going to give some of your music choices a listen.
Good thoughts, and congratulations on your Freshly Pressed status. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sometimes has an argument with my subconscious.
You know what they say, “Misery loves company,” but I think writers and their overactive subconsciouses love company as well. So glad you could relate! Thank you for the nice words.
Simple and nice
These are good words to see. Thank you!
Beautiful analogy and well written! Interestingly, I was hiking this weekend and heard a tree slowly falling. It’s an interesting sound!
I can imagine! I hope it wasn’t an omen for my tree! Ha! Thank you so much for the sweet compliment and for taking the time to write.
I love this concept. Made me giggle.
MontrealDSL
Business Blog
Thank you, Katie! Glad it made you giggle!
Yikes that sounds like me! I can’t tell you how many times I rewrite things and still find it isn’t what I want.I sometimes even correct the spellings on my comments.Cute post and I loved it.Made me smile.Blessings
Ah, comment correcting… check! It is good to hear I am not alone! I am pleased that it made you smile. Come back to visit!
totally know what you mean about temporary voices! i definitely have one too. although, that being said, i think i like the first one the best
Thank you! I like that you were drawn to the first one; maybe there is something to be said about not filtering everything, and just being honest in the moment.
I knew you were awesome!
Also, I like how we were both checking each other out at the same time.
Ha! Love it.
Aw, thank you, La La! YOU are awesome!
Your blog is lovely. Keep up the good work. We’re everbodyplays, a street theatre group from Hyderabad, India! We understand the value of good writing! We’re new on wordpress. Check out our blog:
http://everybodyplays.wordpress.com/
Thank you! I will stop by! Street theatre is right up my alley. Excuse the awful pun.
…And we gave you a likey! Keep writing!
Thank you kindly for the likey!
Congrats on getting Freshly Pressed! And thanks for stopping by my blog. Where you had the time, I don’t know. I suspect you’ll be busy responding to comments for awhile.
Thank you, this has been so much fun! I enjoy reading blogs with good writers, such a yourself. So glad I stopped by. Thank you for taking the time to stop by mine as well!
A neat thing to do for a future post would be to show how your work looks when you do handwritten edits (if you do).
It’s fun to see the process as it goes along.
Oh and good post
Oooh, I like this idea. Truly. I would steal it if my handwriting when drafting wasn’t a little bit frightening. You should do it, and share it when you do! Thank you for the compliment. Come back and visit!
You should go for it anyway. Just say you were writing so quickly that your words came out funky.
I’ll think about it doing it myself as well. It’s been a while since I’ve done creative writing, but I love it though.
I quadruple-dog-dare-you. Now you have to!
Dang, well I guess I do. But later this week. Not tomorrow
Ha! Yes! Victory! Take your time, handsnface.
Your writing style is refreshing, I loved this post!
Thank you! That is a nice compliment. I just read your last post, and your honesty is refreshing, and it is what will make your voice unique. And that first visual… fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to read my post and respond.
That means a lot, thank you so much!
To be able to “find your voice” is one of the reasons I love writing so much! Everyone has his or her own unique voice, and isn’t is great once you find yours? Thank you for your inspiration. Now, time to keep plugging away to make sure my own voice gets heard:)
True story. So glad I was able to inspire! Best wishes on your writing! I’ll be sure to stop by and check it out.
Discovered your blog today and how glad I am that I did! Congrats on freshly pressed. Well deserved. Your writing style is refreshing and I loved reading about the tree! Very visual even without the photos!
Thank you so much! I am grateful for this experience, and glad that you stopped by to check out my blog. One of the things I love about this experience is that not only are so many new people visiting, but it is also introducing me to so many great blogs out there. I’ll be sure to stop by yours as well. Thank you for the kind words!
isn’t it amazing how many different ways there are of saying something? and how what you say can be affected by your mood or what’s going on with you in the moment? writing is so incredible. thanks for sharing yours.
It truly is. You are welcome! Thank you for stopping by and writing a thoughtful response. Best wishes with your writing!
So many dif voices in our heads, each one more crass and louder than the last. It’s great that you published the re-edits. Congrats on the FP!
Cheers,
iRuniBreathe
Thank you very much! I like what you have going on your blog… your running advice will come in handy for my too often dormant arse.
Hi A and A!
Glad you had a read. Thanks for visiting; I blog on running and other nonsense.
My arse is often dormant as well and we fight about who’s taking whom for a run.
Ha! Yes, me and my arse understand this battle all too well.
I like your post…
.
Thank you, I’m glad! Come back and visit!