I <3 Leaves

This photo is from my archives, taken last spring. We have a catalpa tree in our yard that my father planted when I was a little girl. Even when I was quite young, I remember being fascinated by the huge, heart-shaped leaves, and later in the year by the long seed pods that look, for all the world, like something out of Jack and the Beanstalk. The flowers are actually quite fragrant, too.

But the leaves are my favorites. :)

Hearts

My father planted this catalpa tree when he built our house 50 years ago.  It has grown quite large since then.  I love the huge leaves -- they remind me of hearts.  The tree itself will always remind me of my father, and how he loved to work in the yard and garden.  It somehow brings me back to a simpler time -- childhood days spent outdoors.  We explored for hours, coming home at dusk with pockets full of treasures:  rocks, sticks, flowers or a huge, heart-shaped leaf.