August 1, 2011
I just completed my 50th post. It seems it’s about time I completed an About me page.
- I live enthusiastically
- I laugh brazenly
- I cry softly
- I regret rarely
- I pray fervently
- I sing dismally
- I dance clumsily
- I think analytically
- I spend frugally
- I travel inquisitively
- I speak candidly
- I write a little
- I hope you will read a lot
Peace,
ATreeGrowsinBklyn
atreegrowsinbklyn 
….however you write well. very readable. keep up the great posts!
Thanks for your positive words and support of this experiment.
Interested in how you chose your blog name – I loved the book “A tree grows in Brooklyn” as a teen, and I’m guessing that was your inspiration for your blog name. But, I’m wondering, why?
Hi Huffygirl,
Thanks for your interest. I’m glad you are asking why the blog title and not why I like the novel. To answer the latter would require more pixels than I care to contemplate. The title question is only slightly more manageable. I will try to answer it without writing a novel. 🙂
I adore the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn; I live in Brooklyn. I’m just a stone throw away from Williamsburg; the setting for the novel. I’ve been using the moniker as my on-line identity for a good while; long before I started blogging.
This is my first blogging experiment. My friend, Lenore, suggested I blog so that other friends and family could share in the fulfillment of my dream to travel solo across country via rail. The suggestion came just days before my departure so I had to work fast to set something up. I had to come up with a title in short order. It seemed wise to stay with what I had already established.
Many people love the book. The title is evocative and it has built-in presence, but for the purpose of this blog the title has less to do with the themes of the beloved novel; and more to do with the tag line that goes along with the title. The tag line is “firmly rooted and branching out”. That imagery seemed to convey who I am.
I have a very short list of heroes. Albert Einstein is on that list. He said “The most important question a person can ask is, “Is the Universe a friendly place?” I think everyone should contemplate that question and form an answer. I did; and the answer informs everything I think, feel, see, do say; and now write.
That answer is my root system. It is a strong system that supports me as I make my way through this world; as I engage with people, and deal with situations and circumstances; both the lovely and the less lovely.
I think of it like this – a tree with a healthy root system can sway in (and dear I say enjoy) a gentle breeze and it can withstand a gale. A healthy tree must have strong braches reaching up and out to allow the leaves greater exposure to the sun. Do you remember your grade school Biology lesson on photosynthesis? 😉 The leaves carry on photosynthesis and exchange important gasses, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, with the atmosphere. It takes what it needs to flourish and it gives back in a way that benefits the environment. If that’s not a guide to how to be in the world; I don’t know what is. That’s the kind of life I’m working towards; and to some extent have achieved. Here is a quote that I like a lot.
A tree uses what comes its way to nurture itself. By sinking its roots deeply into the earth, by accepting the rain that flows towards it, by reaching out to the sun, the tree perfects its character and becomes great. … Absorb, absorb, absorb. That is the secret of the tree. — Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao
Peace,
ATreeGrowsinBklyn
Your response to Huffygirl was wonderful and enlightening. I have been enjoying your blog for a while now. Glad you engaged in this experiment . . . we, your readers, are blessed. 🙂
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. You make a most excellent lab partner.
I love your response to Huffy Girl. Makes sense. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is my all-time favorite book. I recently persuaded my 20-year-old daughter to read it, and now she loves it, too. So, great choice for a blog name. 🙂
Hey Monica,
Thanks for visiting the blog. I’m glad you like the name. How wonderful that you have introduced this classic book to your daughter. To up the bonding quotient, you could rent the movie for a movie night with discussion after. The 1945 movie was directed my Elia Kazan. It’s very well done and it is included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Peace,
ATreeGrowsinBklyn (Adrienne)
I love your blog and really enjoyed reading your About Me page and why your blog is named what it is. I look forward to following your posts. (Thanks for the LIKE) 😀
Hi Fiztrainer,
Thanks for your interest and thanks for commenting.
Peace,
ATreeGGrowsinBklyn
You’ve been tagged! No hard feelings if you choose not to participate. 😉
http://weirdandcoolstuff.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/i-got-tagged/
Thanks for the tag. I’ll check it out.
I was curious about your blog from a comment you made on my blog. (Isn’t how the blog world should work?) I loved the book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”, so I had to see if your blog matched. You seem to have a great blog.
Thanks for following your curiosity to my blog. Thank you for the positive responce. 🙂
I had to make a comment about your blog’s name, since I’m presently reading ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’ for the second time. I know there’s symbolize that connects to your personality. You have a nice blog. Keep up the work.
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I’m contemplating my summer reading list. Although, I’ve read the book a few times; you’ve sparked my interest in adding it to the list. Happy reading; happy blogging, happy everything!
Peace,
ATreeGrowsinBklyn
I love how chance clicks and well chosen blog titles weave their way around the Internet and lead me to find great people and their stories
This thank you comes a little late, yet it is very sincere. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.
No problem…. Notifications don’t always appear when they should 🙂
Hey there, Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog and the follow, hope you liked what you saw. Looking forward to seeing more from you, 🙂
Hi E,
Thanks for taking the time to look around and comment. I enjoy your images very much. They are inspiring.
Peace,
ATreeGrowsinBklyn