I’ve been clearing a patch of land by my house where there’s a burly overgrowth of dried Tumbleweeds. My harvesting wardrobe includes thick leather gloves and toeless socks pulled over my arms to prevent painful encounters with the prickly thorns.
I’ve been wondering about these still-rooted Tumbleweeds. Why haven’t they tumbled the way Tumbleweeds do? What’s holding them in place when their natural inclination, in this season in their lives and on our earth, is to uproot and move across the land?
Do they really like it here or have they just gotten stuck?
Clearing away the dried Tumbleweeds has revealed unexpected treasures. Hidden beneath the crunchy brown tangle there’s a lush world of green. A vibrant Yucca once buried beneath the overgrowth becomes visible and undisguised, reaching toward the sky. A tender vine has white blossoms who open wide to welcome the morning sun and close up in the afternoon heat. The soil is sunning herself in renewal, readying for new growth.
From what I’ve seen, Tumbleweeds are ingenious. They begin growing low to the ground with tiny green leaves and dark purple stems spreading weblike in all directions. Tumbleweeds’ roots dive into the earth with a strong central core surrounded by delicate tendrils which stretch out just below the surface of the soil.
During their growing cycle, Tumbleweeds stay rooted in the earth. Their branches grow upward and outward in a spidery open-armed embrace. Their plant bodies become ample and green, soaking in the nourishment of the sun, rain, and soil.
When it’s time for a shift into a new cycle, Tumbleweeds stop soaking in nutrients through their roots. Their greenness fades away. Their plant bodies harden and dry into an essential roundness. They loosen their rootedness in the earth.
Calling in the winds, Tumbleweed floats in the air and tumbles around the land. They drop bundles of seeds from their tangle of stems. This cycle of their lives is filled with purpose. Seeding new generations. Holding the promise of the continuance of life.
So here in the land just beyond my living room window, what’s up with the Tumbleweeds who’ve forgotten to tumble?
I’m grateful they’ve stayed long enough to tug at my curiosity and invite me to gather up the wisdom of their ways. Touching the world of the Tumbleweed has allowed me to feel what it’s like to naturally embody change. Tumbleweed has shown me how to call in the winds to let old attachments go.
I’ve come to see this aged gathering of Tumbleweeds as a council of elders. They know it’s never too late to remember what’s been forgotten, to live in rhythm with the cycles of the earth and our unique, natural design.
And sometimes we need a little help from a friend to get untangled from what’s holding us back.
The prickly Tumbleweeds easily pull away from the sandy soil. With billowy armfuls of sundried plants held over my head, I walk toward the open mesas. I place the Tumbleweeds on the ground on the other side of the fence.
They’re on wild lands now, free to dance with the elements, join up with the winds, and continue on their way.
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Tumbleweed
My tumbleweed self has seen many lives, and am sprouting anew some green roots. The new artwork is beautifully made, and I love the rhythms of life I feel when I gaze at the work.
Enjoy your beautiful new roots!
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
This was the first thing I read this morning and so grateful it will travel with me through the day. Art work is so poignant too.
Spirit of Tumbleweed will be walking with you too. Enjoy, Heather!
With love,
JoAnne
Love the story and the art ! Thanks Joanne, you are one of the good ones, always have been.
Love, Patrick
Thank you, Patrick. Friendships continuing on from way back when are a very special gift.
With love,
JoAnne
Hmmmm. As one who prefers to live a bit outside city (though her gifts and and constitution require some proximity to community), one who historically has thrived on roaming, as I consider the desire for suitable shelter and my apparent inability to manifest it on the periphery of population center, as I consider for the first time an affordable housing apartment, I wonder is this the new wisdom, or has this weary tumbleweed simply forgotten how to roam.
Here’s to finding the clarity you seek…time to root? time to roam? Tumbleweed may have some guidance for you.
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne
Such a lovely description of who tumbleweeds are. At first glance, many people see them as a ‘nuisance. However, they are alive and full of curious behavior.
As I continued to read your exquisite description, it reminded me of all the tumbleweeds near Pueblo CO…that seem to form as a ‘wall’ as they all gather along an incline of soil. Are they creating a wall to protect, to ‘keep out’, to ‘just rest’ among their own kind? then, a multitude of questions came to mind about myself. What are tumbleweeds trying to tell me on this day, for this month, in this year?
Thank you JoAnne, for the meditation!
What beautiful questions, Rita.
Curiosity opens doorways…seeing and appreciating and wondering about what we might otherwise overlook.
Enjoy your explorations…
Heart to Heart,
JoAnne