The Gumby Tree

Let's see how your memory is this morning. Do you remember Gumby? Gumby is a dark-green clay humanoid figure who was the subject of a series of American television shows totaling 223 episodes over a 35 year period (Begining in 1955). Gumby was animated using stop motion clay animation. The show also featured Pokey, a red-orange clay pony, and Gumby's nemeses, the Block-heads.

This past week we were privileged to spend the week with our kids at Dan and Pix's house on the Greenbrier River. The house has in the front yard a fine sugar maple tree that the wife calls the Gumby Tree. This tree has such a great personality. Note how the scars form a fine face. The side limbs form the "gumby arms".





I often find myself starting a conversation with the gumby tree. "Good Morning, Gumby!" "Happy you guarded the door last night." If the tree ever responded, I probably would not be too surprised. It is just a part of this magical place.