Quiet Inspiration

"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation"

Henry David Thoreau

...

A while back, A suggested that I read more biographies. I discovered that biographies are grouped together on the east wall of the West Salem library, so browsing is fairly easy. I am supposed to take it easy while recovering from surgery. So I thought, "Why not?" There I happened upon Trees for Tomorrow, by Frank Lockyear. The story is a local one, since Frank lives in Wilsonville, Oregon. His life centered around places I know such as Portland, Sheridan, Johnson Creek, Sellwood, Lambert Gardens and the like.

Trees is filled with his knowledge of and love for trees and his adventures in tree planting around the world. Reading the book is like sitting down and talking with an old friend.

He was old when he wrote his book and I wondered if he is still alive. I haven't found the answer to that question as yet, but his organization ReTree International is.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered ReTree is working on a tree planting in a favorite place of mine, Tanzania.

Thoreau may be right. Many are trapped by quiet desperation.

Many more are living lives of quiet inspiration. It's nice to run into them in the library or any where.