Katherine Nicolai

Good. The willow tree.

Good. The willow tree.

Though those things are already a lot for a tree to gift to the world, For me, it is the way a willow seems to curl around you. There is something protective in its architecture. It's a place to shelter in the rain, to cool off on a sunny day.

Though those things are already a lot for a tree to gift to the world, For me, it is the way a willow seems to curl around you. There is something protective in its architecture. It's a place to shelter in the rain, to cool off on a sunny day.

Though those things are already a lot for a tree to gift to the world, For me, it is the way a willow seems to curl around you. There is something protective in its architecture. It's a place to shelter in the rain, to cool off on a sunny day.

To feel small and safe under its umbrella. I tracked across the broad, open land on my way to the willow tree. The ground was springy and damp. the grass just beginning to show green again, and I'd worn my tall boots in case of any flooded spots.

To feel small and safe under its umbrella. I tracked across the broad, open land on my way to the willow tree. The ground was springy and damp. the grass just beginning to show green again, and I'd worn my tall boots in case of any flooded spots.

To feel small and safe under its umbrella. I tracked across the broad, open land on my way to the willow tree. The ground was springy and damp. the grass just beginning to show green again, and I'd worn my tall boots in case of any flooded spots.

In just my jeans and a sweater, I felt warmed through as I trod over the bare ground. Even this far off, I could smell the lake, the fresh scent of the water, clear and mineral, just released from the ice, was in every breath I took. The steady plod of my feet, the rising color in my cheeks, made me feel like I was sinking up with the natural world around me.

In just my jeans and a sweater, I felt warmed through as I trod over the bare ground. Even this far off, I could smell the lake, the fresh scent of the water, clear and mineral, just released from the ice, was in every breath I took. The steady plod of my feet, the rising color in my cheeks, made me feel like I was sinking up with the natural world around me.

In just my jeans and a sweater, I felt warmed through as I trod over the bare ground. Even this far off, I could smell the lake, the fresh scent of the water, clear and mineral, just released from the ice, was in every breath I took. The steady plod of my feet, the rising color in my cheeks, made me feel like I was sinking up with the natural world around me.

So I was breathing deep, opening my ears and eyes to all that I could. A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off.

So I was breathing deep, opening my ears and eyes to all that I could. A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off.

So I was breathing deep, opening my ears and eyes to all that I could. A breeze began to nudge my hat from my head, and I reached up and swiped it off.

In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit. deciding to go first to the water and then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this.

In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit. deciding to go first to the water and then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this.

In the distance, the willow tree was gaining size and detail. When I'd set out, it was just an indistinct dark spot on the horizon. The lake, a broad shimmer. Now I could hear the ripple of water at the shore and the creaking of breaking ice further out. I turned a bit. deciding to go first to the water and then to my tree. Ah, to be alone in a place like this.

And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.

And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.

And I stood at the high point, looking down and looking out Driftwood and scraps of tumbled grass and dead leaves dotted the sand.