Due to the advice of my physical therapist, I spent a night in the recliner one night in summer late. The purpose was to improve breathing.

As bedtime approached, I pulled out the pillows and blankets to settle down for what I hoped would be a more restful night. The chair is positioned with a view through sliding glass doors onto the deck and an enormous hackberry tree. This place also gives a marvelous opportunity to watch the bird bath antics of the blue jays competing with the mockingbirds. Later comes the bathing of a pair of Eastern bluebirds - the female fluttering in the water while the male, perched on the rim, hopes to allow her the privacy of the bath without intrusion of other larger birds. This usually entails a very quick ritual since bathing seems to be a competition.

However, the evening brought forth no birds but did silhouette the tree against a light sky and the dim lights on the horizon of the city of Denmark. The graceful branches, still trying to hold onto summer leaves, curved and swayed, making a dance against the night light.

While we enjoy the shade of the tree, this was a new and artistic presentation of the home to scampering squirrels and singing birds. The circumstances of the view did not excite me. But, I would not have seen the beauty of this simple study in shapes and lines had I not been confined to this not-so-comfortable place.

What an interesting view this every day acceptance would make on canvas, creating a delightful art design. The depth of the visual scene changed as the limbs and leaves became more visible when the light behind it became morning and the illusion vanished.

It seems a shame that this magnificent tribute to nature would only be a memory since I have no talent for brush and paint to preserve it.

T&D Correspondent Bettylou R. Terry can be reached by phone at 803-793-3381. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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