My birches
July 6th, 2024
I took this photo in the spring of 2021 in the middle of nowhere in some godforsaken woods in north-east Poland. I am not sure exactly why I was there and how I found this place. I put this photo on my timeline on Google Maps and it is my most-viewed photo there — more than 5000 people have seen it. This is surprising, since that is not a good photo — it is overexposed and unfocused and way too saturated. Also, this is just a photo of a birch grove in the middle of nowhere in some godforsaken woods in north-east Poland. It cannot be that interesting for 5000 people to click on a thumbnail and view it. Unless an overexposed and unfocused and way too saturated photo of a birch grove is interesting and inviting for only the subject matter of it — birch trees. And I am going with that explanation…
As an aside — looking at my Google Maps timeline and my photos there, I discovered that in 2021 and 2022 I have been on a lot of long walks and hikes and rambles in the woods and forests and marshes that surround my hometown. I don't do that anymore. And I don't know exactly why. I remember I loved it then, and then something happened that I stopped doing that. And I don't know what exactly happened. All I know today is that just thinking about a hike like that brings some nagging anxiety and even some sudden fear. I cannot pinpoint anything more about it. It seems very strange and I want to have some answers about that situation and my behavior. I want to know myself and what makes me feel any particular emotions. I want to have a deeply examined life. In a nutshell — I think I will go for a long walk in the woods soon and will observe myself closely — namely my emotions and my mind.
And as an added bonus — below is a photo of a birch tree in my garden. A birch tree that was “procured” from a local forest by my grandfather in response to my mom telling him how much she likes birch trees. It happened about 40 years ago and the tree adjusted to the change of scenery and soil very well and grew as a wonderful and majestic tree. And it still grows and let that continue for as long as possible.
