I thought I knew this plant, the vine maple. It’s the great autumn showoff in the forest understory, bright yellow to orange to red. Because I learned its name early in my hiking days, I assumed it was an actual vine and when you see it all scraggly under towering spruce and fir in the Pacific Northwest, a vine doesn’t seem wrong. So imagine my surprise on a recent walk in Eugene’s Hendricks Park when this tree-sized version sent a sweeping branch out into the path. Is that? No, couldn’t be. But, yes.
Wikipedia explains that Acer circinatum, is a many-stemmed shrub-like tree. I had never stopped to give it full attention before. Here’s what else I saw on this fine mid-May outing: the tiniest of flowers tucked among the bright green of new leaves.
How writers get to noticing is by slowing down, stopping and looking around. While it sounds easy, getting to “easy,” takes practice. And time. Also, curiosity.
In June I’ll be teaching a writing workshop on noticing. We’ll play with three techniques that help train the noticing part of the brain.
It’ll be four hours of word play. Writers at any stage are welcome, whether you’re writing for an audience or wanting to make your private journal richer.
Join me June 20 at Wordcrafters for The Practicing Writer. Register here:
Photos by Susan Palmer
Susan Palmer's Exquisite Now 
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