Page 55 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

any, many years ago, make it in the world just be around when the Torrey
Mthere lived a large fine. He had to explain a few pine tree was cut down.
white owl named Simon things to them though. Simon got older and
with soft eyes and a strong He would start by teach- older and knew that this
beak. ing them how to fly. would be his last winter
He had made his home From the tall branches before the skies opened
in a very old Torrey Pine tree of the pine tree, he led the up and brought him home.
that had many large branch- way down to the roof of Before he went he told CeCe
es that spread out over the house. From there, they and Cisco to never worry
a beautifully landscaped were off to the field. CeCe about change.
property called “A county and Cisco were fast learners! “Even when I am gone
oasis”. But under the moon- you must remember that my
From the tree, Simon light, later that night he had energy will always surround
could see out far into the to tell the baby owls that he you with protection and
orange grove and out past had heard talk of the tree wisdom.”
the vineyards but his gaze being cut down. The tree Before they knew it,
mostly fell down to the was outgrowing its space Simon was gone, leaving
lily ponds, surrounded by and there was worry that them to find a new home on
cobblestone walkways. it might not make it in the their own.
There were large Koi upcoming storms. They waited for spring
“Will the tree just disap-
basically gave her the whole backyard fish living in the ponds and pear?” the babies asked. before they ventured out
Simon would occasionally
to go tree shopping. Their
to use as a blank canvas for her suc- see a Blue Herron bird land “No, no, the tree is made wings had gotten very
culents, she has over 100 plants in the on the bridge and wait for of powerful energy and strong and their beaks very
backyard that she tends to. Lyssa has a chance to steal one of the energy does not disappear. hard and they knew that
traveled all over the world and has even fish for dinner. they could choose any tree
It was a game to him
they desired.
been to Europe. Lyssa is very quiet but and when he saw the blue “Hey, CeCe”, Cisco said
very smart, I think she is beautiful!! Herron arrive he would as he stretched his growing
One of her favorite foods to eat is Mac swoop down and chase wings. Let’s just fly by our
and cheese with hot dogs, Lyssa also the bird away. How dare it old home and see what
happened with the Torrey
invade his property!
speaks 2 languages, English and Span- He loved coming back pine tree.”
ish. Lyssa says she got most of her fun- to this serene little village “It might make me feel
damental skills from a local art place in where he had made his sad.” said CeCe.
“Remember Dad said
Poway, called Little Artists. home for years. There not to feel sad about
seemed to be an endless
The future looks bright for Lyssa rodent population with the change.”
Ballard and I’m sure we will be seeing large fields nearby so there So they flew up the
her art work more frequently. was always enough to eat. hill and were a bit startled
The Torrey Pine Tree when they came to the top
must have been over 100
Photos Courtesy of Lyssa Ballard years old and was the tallest
and the biggest tree around Transitions
for miles. He had watched
the full moon rise from that
tree on many nights.
Although Simon had By Dawn Nicoli
many babies with lady owls
over the years, this spring
he came back to A country It transforms itself into as they didn’t recognize the
oasis to raise another family something different.” property without the long
with a new lady owl. We never know before- branches covering it like a
Simon knew that he was hand what the transforma- canopy.
getting older and that this tion might be, but legend Instead sat a tree house
time may be the last time he has it, that it is always built into the base of the
would have baby owls. The something even better than tree, made of bamboo with
two baby survivors were a it was before.” a straw roof.
boy and a girl named Cisco The winds blew the “It looks like it has a
and CeCe. leaves through the air and smiling face,” Said Cece.
One night, Simon’s lady the owls settled into their “I think that has some-
friend did not come home nest realizing that a change thing to do with its energy.”
to nest in the big tree. was coming. said Cisco.
A large tear rolled out of When the machinery And they looked up in
Simon’s eye as he realized he and the loud noises came, the sky because they knew
would have to raise the two the owl family moved to their father, Simon, the wise
babies himself. They were the large oak tree in the old owl, was looking down
getting strong and healthy field, down by the old rusty on them.
and he knew they would truck. They couldn’t bear to
55