When the wind blows how strong are your roots - Weekenders 12 - 15 November 2021
 

Welcome to the Weekenders :wave:



When the wind blows how strong are your roots? This thought came to me and I thought of my sobriety recovery in the same sense.



Trees with short, dead or rotted roots, or not planted and watered correctly, may not withstand a battering from a storm.



Knowing how to care for a tree, beginning with planting its roots, will surely give it a chance to grow and blossom.

Likewise, I see the roots of the tree are similar to my tools for helping me in my growth of sobriety recovery.



By helping our roots to grow stronger we will be ensuring our recovery grows to withstand any storms.



If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes. (We’re here all week too!) :)



We also share bits and pieces of our lives and the things that are important to us, or make us laugh..anything that makes the journey a little easier.

Thanks Mags, and as it’s been a while I’ll take shotgun! :) The tree root analogy appeals to me.

Having a real busy time at work but hope to start posting a bit more regularly soon.

Greetings and best wishes to all.

Thank you, Mags! :thanks

Hi Captain! :wavey:

Hi CaptainHaddock congratulations on shotgun :c011: pleased you’re ok.

Hiya Aly. :wave:

I remember learning a long time ago that the drip line (where the tree's outer leaves ended) was approximately where the roots ended. That it was a similar distance from the trunk of the tree. That makes sense to me. :)

I'm in for the weekend. :) I have a 'blank' day today. Nothing on my calendar except to go to the store and exchange two things that are the wrong size. Other than that, I can take it easy. :)

Thanks Mags, this bit of wisdom is right on time for me.

Makes sense beautifully ❤

thanks Mags :)

D

Thanks Mags. I think my roots are very shallow.

Thanks for the tag MLD. I haven't been posting here as I felt I was being too needy and becoming a drain on people.

I really do need a dumping ground somewhere, I'm not sure here is the right place.

On a brighter note - an Autumnal walk with my little friends.

https://i.postimg.cc/bwrTHcCC/IMG-20...115027-690.jpg

Ah good to see you Kaily. Aww lovely photo. Here is the right place if you’re comfortable with talking here.
Missed you xx :hug: let’s get them roots deeper. Xx

Thanks Mags!

im in.

good night

There she is! Good to see you Kaily. Hope all is well. :fest30:

lN!

Thanks for the new thread Mags!

Welcome to Weekenders KTB5000!

Congratulations on shotgun CaptainHaddock!

You're not a drain Kaily. We understand things are tough.

I'm a bit rushed this morning so I'll post again later when I have more time.

Never a drain Kaily - these threads are about support - sometimes we give it and sometimes we receive it - it's all good :)

D

Thanks Mags, I'm in for this sober weekend. I'm going to London for a holiday just for the weekend tomorrow, my first holiday in over 26 months now!

Thanks for this new chapter Mags https://www.smiley-lol.com/smiley/lo...chapeaubas.gif

Count me in for another sober weekend ☼

Reid, hope you have a nice holiday.

Kaily, the ducks look they are wondering where their bits of bread are, daisy looks eager to chase them if they were on the land. I think it can be a bit therapeutic to hear others unload sometimes as it lets me know I'm not the only one with problems.

Heading to the dealership with my work truck this morning for a seat belt related recall and to address a couple of things that should be covered under the warranty. I remember a weekender having a bad experience at the dealership recently (MLD?).

I love the Tree analogy Mags - what a useful way to think about our sobriety! Really beautiful, thank you for such thought provoking images.
Kaily I loved your riverside autumn walk picture, your little friends look so adorable!
This is a quick snap from my walk this morning, as I passed my local Church - the changing colours were gorgeous.
Mag's post made me think again about trees at the time of year; we also go through many change, as we journey through sobriety, each season of growth different to the last, the old making way for the new, but the new only possible because of what came before, but each in it's own way vital to the life of the tree. May all our roots grown deeper this weekend.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_j...-no?authuser=0

Thankyou Mags a lovely post to start the weekend
Speaking of trees the most magnificent I've ever seen was the sequoia in Yosemite many moons ago while on holiday (vacation). I drove there especially to see them as it was on the bucketlist as well as the scenery of course but there's something unreal about them, their size is one thing but the length of time alive. I am still in awe to think historically what has happened from seed to the gigantic specimen that stands there now.
Otherwise hope you are all having a great day.

I’m in for the weekend ! Day 14 here I think ..( I’m losing count! ). My roots are feeling strong …( but mustn’t get complacent ! )
S

Thanks Mags. I am in. I love your analogy. And to take it a step further trees do even better when they have others to rely on. Trees communicate with each other and share resources just like we do here on SR!

I'M IN! Thank for the thought-provoking OP, Mags! I feel like my roots are getting stronger, but without proper care, they could whither and die. I try to remain in "recovery" mode, lest I forget to take care of my sobriety. I don't live my life thinking about recovery all day every day anymore, but I try to take some time each day to be grateful for where I am today, compared to where I was. Even when life is stressful and worrisome, it's still SO much better than it was when things were at the worst with my drinking.

I'm glad you checked in, Kaily. You are not a drain. This is the place to come for support when things are rough. Keep posting pictures of your lovely doggies! And post when things seem bleak, we are here to listen, and we care.

Cityboy said:
I remember a weekender having a bad experience at the dealership recently (MLD?).
Yes, that was me. They failed to properly replace the drain plug on my convertible when I took it for an oil change and 15,000 mile inspection. The oil all leaked out on my garage floor (and probably some while I was driving it) the next day. They did get it rectified by coming to tow it from my house back to the dealership, fixing it, and then delivering it back to my house. They refunded my money, too, but I had to ASK for that. The service manager told me they fired the "technician" who did the work, because of that, and because it became evident the guy sold them a bill of goods when they hired him, and he really didn't know what he was doing. I could have done a better job myself. I've done plenty of my own oil changes and other maintenance on my cars over the years. Anyway, the car is fine, all tucked away for the winter now. I won't drive it in the snow, ever. Strictly a summertime car.

Marty, I had a bad experience with a dealership a long time ago. They didn't do a good job on my car and, in fact, messed up a couple things. I called the place and spoke to the repair shop and the guy told me I'd have to pay to have the things fixed right. :dee

So I called the place again and asked to speak to the highest paid person there - the owner. I told him my problem and he said to bring the car in and they'd make it right - for no charge. I never went to that dealership again. Once bitten, twice shy.

I don't have a car anymore so don't have those worries now.

Kaily, don't feel like you're a drain - you're not. :hug: We're here to support each other and I hope you trust us enough to share your thoughts and fears. :hug:

Enjoy your London weekend trip Reid. The Christmas lights will be nice to see!

Kaily, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that you’re not a drain on us, you’re supportive and caring. (And I like the pics of Alfie and Daisy and scenery on your walks too ;) x

Just back from mum-in-laws. She has Alzheimer’s. Still knows us but her short term memory is no good at all. Her only saving grace is she has always had a daily diary for any appointments, shopping trips etc, and she must check it 100 or more times a day. I really feel for her.
It wears me out mentally but I feel bad for admitting it. I’m using baby steps to stop my mind running away with me about what next?

I found that recovery stands us well in all parts of our life. I like my sober tools, they are very versatile.

FriYay tomorrow, where’s the week gone. :)

Yes, Mags, our sober tools can help us out in so many other areas of our lives too. I agree. I hope your wrist is doing better. Sending love. :hug:

.
As with other Life Forms, I think our Sobriety Roots need some time to become firmly established. It's a fine phase when our Sober Roots have penetrated firm Ground, and we can just get on with our Sober Lives. A couple of Years in for me, I guess. So, Mags, thanks for the fine Metaphor for us to relate to.

Navarro Redwoods State Park in California a few Weeks ago is seen below. You can see where the Road runs. It's right below the diagonal swath of Blue Sky at the upper left. Man, there were not many places to pull over with a RV Trailer, so we snapped a bunch of Pix where we could. These are not the massive Old Growth Redwoods elsewhere, but are smaller re-growth Trees. It smelled as wonderful as it looks.

In Post #18 above, AL48 alludes to the extended time that huge, old Trees have been alive. A Pal had to have some large Pine trees cut down around his Mountain Cabin when the dastardly Pine Beetles swept through and killed some of them. He took a cut Tree Slab, and sat down with a Magnifying Glass. He counted the Tree Rings, and put lil Teardrop Markers at multiple points. Thus, events like the Civil War, or Colorado becoming a State, could be associated with various Tree Rings. Really kewl! Other Tree bits were milled into Interior Paneling, and useful Wood Products with a lot of character.


https://i.postimg.cc/BnRf1wsz/Redwoods-Navarro.jpg

Thanks for the kind words. Just had lots of stuff getting on top of me and no one to share it with. I will save it for another day.

Aly I am so sorry to read about your poor Mum. What a horrible time she is having. Sending good wishes.

Marty, it is a difficult transition when our children start to act independently (and do what they like no matter what we say). I hope it all works out well for her. It would be much better if they just stayed little and cute forever. ;)

Mags your MIL is lucky to have you and family to support her.

I had to take Alfie on a bus in rush hour today. We were going to a vet quite far away where the parking is horrendous so I couldn't risk going by car. The bus took over an hour and was packed. Alfie was extremely stressed. Then we had to repeat the journey home again. He has to go back on Tuesday for sedation and xrays. More buses ..

Amazing pic of the pine trees MesaMan. Really interesting about the tree slab your pal cut and dated points in history by the tree’s rings.

Kaily, thanks re my mil. The bus journey with Alfie must’ve been stressful especially it being so busy. I hope all goes well on Tuesday with his X-rays. (And bus ride) :hug:

Such a good point. The lone tree has no protection from the lightning-strike, is more likely to be bent out of shape by the prevailing wind or any old passing buffalo having a scratch...

I am frustrated!! :dee I'm trying to upload a pic of my license to verify my identity and keep getting the message "connection lost". :dee I've tried it numerous times and still get the same message. :mad:

Kaily, a long bus trip must be very stressful for you and your doggie. :( I hope the trip on Tuesday is uneventful.

I'll get on the phone to the Mayor, have him tidy London up a bit. Have a grrrreat weekend Reid.

Phew, I am busy and I haven't been used to busy recently.

least, I know where you're coming from, the customer interface on these things are invariably second rate.

Glad those forest fires didn't take out the General Sherman. They are not going away though.

The nights start early now but this was got a fair amount of airplay during the summer (on 6 music at least)

https://youtu.be/ul6j69EFjhU