Nexus - 0206 - New Times Magazine-pages

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way right around the bathroom, following the line to where the walls meet the ceiling. So each morning I told the ivy what I want- ed, and to my surprise it did it. It grew away from the window light, and over the next eighteen months it crept right around the bathroom The ivy looks fantastic, and now it's on its second cir- Probably my favorite of all the stories I heard was from a caller who identified herself as "a little elderly lady who loves trees." Among the many trees in her garden was a magnificent apple tree. For years it had not borne a single apple. "Each year I waited anxiously while it flowered, smothered in a profusin of pink and white blossoms, but never an apple," she told us. "Last year", she said, "I got my late husband's axe out of the garden shed, and carried it across the lawn to the apple tree while it was in full flower. I showed the axe to the tree and I said, 'I may be little and old, but if you don't have any apples on this year, I'll chop you down if it takes a month!" At our end of the phone, we burst out laughing. "Don't laugh," she said primly. "I had so many apples on the tree last season I hardly knew what to do with them. What's more, I told the tree that the same rules applied this season. And the tree is Ss ee ee cuit!" away from natural light. The lone man who phoned in had a question for me. "How do I get a tree to flower that hasn't ever flowered?" he asked. "How old is it?" I asked him. "Oh, I dunno. About twelve years perhaps." "What variety of tree is it?" "Thaven't the faintest idea." We went through a question and answer routine that yielded absolutely nothing of any value. Then I had an idea. "Do you like the tree?" "No! Can't stand the bloody thing." Wawa also already loaded again!" “ Her words ended in a tone of triumph. "And why is that?" "Well, for one thing, me mother-in-law gave it to us, and for another, it never has any flowers." Back to where we started! "Does your wife like the tree, or your kids?" "No. Nobody likes it. I told you, it never bloody well flowers." "How would you like it if nobody liked you?" I asked him. "Do you reckon you would be able to thrive and flower?" Silence. "Are you still there?" I asked. "Yes, I'm here. That's a silly bloody question. I ain't a tree. I've got feelings." "So have plants, which has been proved in laboratory experi- ments. Anyway, you rang asking for my advice. I suggest you have a good look at that tree and see if you can find any redeeming fac- tors that will allow you to feel good about it. Try telling the tree how good it looks and that you're glad it's in your garden." "But I ain't glad. I'd have chopped it down years ago, but the wife's mother would bloody murder me." "You have nothing to lose by trying what I suggest. You may even get a surprise." "Yeah! Surprise would be the bloody word." With this final surly comment, he hung up. Five months later he phoned again. I recognised his voice imme- diately. "G'day. Remember me? I'm the bloke who phoned about that tree that wouldn't flower." Autographed copies of books by Michael J. Roads are now available direct from the author. JOURNEY INTO NATURE TALKING WITH NATURE NATURAL MAGIC OF MULCH + Michael's latest release SIMPLE IS POWERFUL All books are $20.00 each (includes P+P) Make cheques M/Orders payable to: M &T Roads, PO Box 778, Nambour Qld 4560 | enclose a total of $ for the following books:- ___ copies of "Simple is Powerful" @ $20.00 ___ copies of "Journey into Nature" @ $20.00 ___ copies of "Talking with Nature" @ $20.00 ___ copies of "The Natural Magic of Mulch" @ $20.00 Name: Address Autographed copies of books by Michael J. Roads author. "Yes, I remember." "Well mate, I'm telling you that tree is now in full flower. It's bloody beautiful. I want to say thanks." It was my turn to be surprised. "I thought you hated the tree." "Yes I did. When you told me to try to like it, I thought you were bloody simple. But the wife heard what you suggested and reck- oned we ought to try it. We had a good look at the tree, and I told her it was like a racehorse - it had good form. Ha, ha! She reck- oned the leaves were nice, and we both liked the shade it gave. So I told the tree that it wasn't so bad after all. It's the truth - the tree beaut!" NEXUS - 42 She must have been a very persuasive lady to get an ivy to grow ° poe are now available direct from the JOURNEY INTO NATURE TALKING WITH NATURE NATURAL MAGIC OF MULCH + Michael's latest release SIMPLE IS POWERFUL All books are $20.00 each (includes P+P) seemed to perk up almost straight away. And now she's a bloody YEAR BOOK - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1992