Monday, April 26, 2021

Culling the Clips


This is a rather dramatic growth of lichen on a tombstone at the cemetery. Did you know that British cemeteries (and probably those elsewhere too) are valuable habitats for lichen? It makes sense -- they offer a variety of stone surfaces which then sit exposed for, in some cases, hundreds of years. There's even a page on the web site of the British Lichen Society devoted to lichen conservation in churchyards.

This example is kind of unusual because lichen often form an irregular patch or circular spot on the stone -- but in this case, the circle appears devoid of lichen, which is growing everywhere else as a sort of backdrop. I even tried to figure out what kind it is -- I think it's a variety of Caloplaca, but I am no expert and that's definitely just a guess.

You didn't know you were here for a biology lesson, did you? And from a completely unqualified teacher!


It was another spectacular but chilly day yesterday, and you can guess from the lichen photo where Olga and I took our walk. The blooming trees are really out in force.

With the exception, I must sadly note, of the once-viney tree. I was so happy to see it sprouting new leaves a couple of weeks ago, but sprout is all it's done. The tree is still mostly sticks, the leaves tiny, the buds unopened. All its identical crabapple siblings are leafing out and blooming like mad. I am once again convinced it's dying. I have no idea why, and I've hauled a couple gallons of water to it here and there, hoping to pull it through whatever crisis it's having.

Honestly, it's ridiculous that I've metaphorically wrapped myself around this tree. It's not even mine, but having removed that gigantic vine I now feel responsible for it. Could the shock of being exposed to the elements on the street really be killing the tree? Is that possible? I never imagined it would do anything but flourish.

This definitely falls into the "no good deed goes unpunished" category.

Also yesterday, I went through my old newspaper clippings and culled about 2/3 of them. You know what's interesting? The serious news stories I wrote as a reporter -- the investigative projects, the news of criminal conspiracies, car crashes, murders, government processes -- are all far less interesting and memorable to me than the lighter feature stories. The lost dog found many miles from home; the police officer accused of driving carelessly and running over the mayor's cat; the woman who won a needlework competition; the baby named after a gas station; the woman who taught African dance in schools; the firefighter who got a dalmatian as a mascot for the fire house. Those are the stories I remember. I always liked feature writing better than so-called "hard news."

I saved some of the serious stuff too, the prize-winners or things that took a lot of work. But getting rid of the rest has opened up a lot more room in the file box!

36 comments:

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Good morning! I am happy to make the first comment of the day... "Another pleasant blogpost which is duly awarded four stars. Have a happy week at work!"

Moving with Mitchell said...

The lichen photo is a work of art. I wonder what caused the unusual pattern. Don't tell the lichen society but we would clean the lichen off SG's ancestor's 200- and 300-year-old gravestones when we visited the family cemeteries in New England. We haven't been back for years, so I'm sure our efforts were a waste (the society would be relieved to know). So sad about "your" tree. I hope it surprises you. The baby named after a gas station? Rutters? Kum & Go?

Tasker Dunham said...

I remember in the early days of the internet (c1995), talking with some researchers who had received a grant to investigate the digitisation of old magazines and newspapers. One thing they had realised was that, especially in magazines, the adverts told you a lot more about the period than the articles.

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Dear Steve,

Just catching up on all your adventures in the garden and elsewhere.

We were most intrigued by the snippets of your days, and nights, no doubt, as a reporter and the stories which stayed with you as the fondest memories. Perhaps these are the times for embracing good news rather than bad and, somehow, tales of dogs lost and found fill one with a hope for the future which one needs so much.

As for your neighbour, well, it certainly sounds like a cross to bear living next to her. How rude to want you to make changes in your own garden in order that she may have a better view from hers. This really does take the biscuit. Perhaps a move to an isolated cottage may be your next plan?

It may sound morbid, but cemeteries have always held a fascination for us but we have never really considered the lichen. We have believed that lichen only grows in undisturbed conditions with clean air. That must put them in danger in cities, we guess.

The Bug said...

I love the lichen photo - very interesting! I wonder if someone put a target or some such on the headstone & then removed it later.

I usually like those kinds of stories better too - I feel guilty for skipping the "serious" news to read them, but they make me feel better instead of like the world is doomed!

ellen abbott said...

lichens are so cool. just the variety that grows on the decaying tree branches around here are really wonderful. and of course the feature pieces about ordinary people are the most interesting. hard news is, well, just data.

Colette said...

I still have hope for your once-viney tree. I also love that you feel a connection to it.

Ms. Moon said...

I will vow and attest that you have done nothing wrong in regards to that tree. The vines may have choked the life from it long before you took them off. If it does die, it will only show that you delayed the inevitable. I thought of you yesterday when Glen said to Jessie, "Your mother cannot bear to execute any plant on earth." This was in regards to thinning plants in the row, specifically the celery. It hurts my heart and in this, I recognize you as a brother in plant saving. You and I are not only anthropomorphic towards animals, but for plants as well. If that's a possibility. Sometimes, we need to come to peace about the fact that everything dies, I guess.
Now I believe I will go try to thin the celery again.

Bob said...

That lichen photo is gorgeous. It's one of those that you could just stare into and see all sorts of things.

Red said...

In my humble opinion people are missing much by ignoring lichen. Take me as an example. I know nothing about lichen.

Sharon said...

I love that list of feature stories you wrote about. Those are always fun to read and help to balance the "hard news".
I'm going to look for lichen here. It may be too dry for much growth but there must be some around.

Anonymous said...

Love seeing the lichen there. We have some really bright yellow lichen here growing on some of the trees. The other day I saw some red lichen on a wooden roof. I don't remember seeing that color before. Beautiful.
The once-viney tree has a support group around the globe now, sending healing wishes from as far away as the north coast of California. That tree may survive, and if it does your care will have been a part of its recovery. If it doesn't make it, it will have gone to its grave knowing it was cared for.

Edna B said...

Now that's a wonderful photo of the cemetery. (gosh, is that spelled right?) I'll say a prayer for your tree. I really do hope it starts to heal. Somehow, I like those little feature stories much better too. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Anne said...

Regarding the tree, maybe add some plant food to the water? Something like Miracle-Gro might give it a boost. Thanks for writing. Anne from Maryland.

Margaret said...

That would be hard to get rid of any articles (for me) but I understand why you kept the ones you did. The sky is such a gorgeous blue, as it often is on chilly days.

37paddington said...

It would great to read a couple of the stories that are among your favorites! And I know what you mean, it's the human interest that stays.

Anonymous said...

A baby named after a gas station. Oh dear. Lichen is quite interesting to look at.

Steve Reed said...

And a stellar comment it is, too!

Steve Reed said...

Shelby! (Named after a Shell station. Her mom gave birth to her in the parking lot.)

Steve Reed said...

Yes! We have some old Newsweeks in our library from the 1940s, and I find the advertisements much more interesting than the articles. They really do show a slice of life at the time.

Steve Reed said...

I think I've heard that about lichen too -- I guess air quality in London is good enough to support them now. Even down in the city you'll see lichen on old gravestones. And yes, it could be that the "good" news appeals to me now, but I also think those stories were just fun to do, and thus remain in my memory better.

Steve Reed said...

I think it just naturally grew that way. My guess is it began as a round patch, then grew over the rest of the stone, and the original round bit aged and died. Just a guess.

Steve Reed said...

Exactly -- news is information and even if well-written (I flatter myself!) it's basically of its moment. Whereas features are more appealing across time.

Steve Reed said...

Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Steve Reed said...

It's true -- you and I have that same instinct when it comes to protecting and rescuing plants (and certainly animals). I'm going to have to face the music and thin some of my seedlings sometime soon, though. (As you'll see in my next post!)

Steve Reed said...

It's such a nice color too. I wonder why lichen evolved to be so yellow?

Steve Reed said...

Just one of those little things, like insects or plankton, that we all take for granted in our natural world!

Steve Reed said...

Actually, the story about the police officer hitting the mayor's cat really WAS a "hard news" story because the officer got fired for it. There was a mini-scandal!

Steve Reed said...

Red lichen! Cool! Take a picture! I'm glad everyone is sending positive energy to the poor once-viney tree.

Steve Reed said...

Yes, "cemetery" is right! Thanks for the good tree wishes! I'll keep you all posted.

Steve Reed said...

That's a good idea. We have some Miracle-Gro lying around here. I believe I'll do that. Thanks for the suggestion!

Steve Reed said...

I just had to ask myself, am I realistically EVER going to read this article again?! And the answer was always no, particularly with the newsy ones.

Steve Reed said...

I've scanned a few of my old stories for this blog -- the times I met Vincent Price, Yevgeney Yevtushenko, Neil Armstrong and spoke to Ray Bradbury on the phone. You can find those stories by searching their names.

Steve Reed said...

Isn't that awesome? Even in Florida, naming a baby after a gas station is a bit unusual. LOL

Moving with Mitchell said...

Shelby! Better than I expected. And now I'm on a gas station name jag. Essoterica. Mo Bill.

Janie Junebug said...

We have some Wawa stations here. That's an appropriate name for a baby.