The Hot Dog Tree

Last summer I wrote about the Golden Shower Tree (Cassia fistula) we have in our front yard (read here: https://gardenlessonsbook.com/the-golden-shower-tree/). We actually have two of them now and are enjoying them immensely.   The younger tree isn’t blooming as prolifically as the elder; nor does it lose its leaves in the summer.  But it is growing and following in the steps of its older mate.  It even has some dangling seedpods.

Oh, I neglected to mention those dangling seedpods last year. They weren’t as noticeable back then, most likely because they were few and far between.  Not so this year.  There’s a bunch of them and they’re quite noticeable!

A few nights ago a mom and her young (maybe 3 year old) son, were taking their nightly walk.  They always come by, read the scripture rocks together and look up into the different trees along the street; the mom pointing out a fragrant flower or unusual leaf pattern to her sweet boy.

After reading the last scripture rock along the driveway the other night, the little boy looked up at our largest Golden Shower Tree, cocked his head and said, “Hot dogs!”

The mom started laughing…and couldn’t stop.  She looked at me, still laughing, and pointed up at the dangling seedpods on the leafless tree, and said, “Hot dogs!  He said, ‘Hot dogs,’” both of them laughing now.

So I looked up and I, too, started to laugh.  Sure enough! The seedpods DID look like hot dogs…or Dodger Dogs, to be more precise!  Dodger Dogs that had just been processed and hung up to cure in a butcher shop window!

Oh, how refreshing to see life through the eyes of a child!!

Lord, refresh our parched hearts on these hot summer days with glimpses of Your presence, power and abundant joy!   No matter our age, may we, Your children, view all of life as through the eyes of a child!