S3 E28 Happy Joyful Little Trees

SPEAKER_01 0:19

Good evening and welcome to the Comforting Voice podcast. I'm your host, Shasta Ray, and I'm joined in the studio by Emmy the Mini Macoma, and she's crawling around on the table and causing some trouble. You say hello? Good bird. So little Miss Sassy Pants Emmy had to spend some time in her cage today because I was doing some stuff around the house. Then I had to do some stuff out of the house for a little bit, and so sometimes it's just safest for the birds to be in their cages. I made sure that she had her most boring food possible. That way she would have an appetite when I brought her down here. I fixed her this wonderful little birdie schmorgis board over there on the playstand, gave her some water, bunch of different things to choose from, and she chowed for a good solid minute, and then that was the end of it. She was stuck to me again. So, what are you doing? What are you doing? You don't know? All of my birds are starting to get a lot more adventurous all at once. Don't know why. One must be following the lead of the others. Emmy is no exception, she's starting to get a little more adventurous, wanting to explore more. And last night, Murray, the cockatiel, got himself into a very, very weird situation. I left the bird room for about a half an hour, and I came back in, and Baxter was sitting in a really weird spot, and he was acting strange. And I kind of put him back in the bird play area, and he went straight back and he was like looking at me and looking at this little tiny weird spot. And I was like, Well, what are you doing? And then I looked around and I saw Murray wasn't anywhere, and I was like, oh dear. So I looked down where Baxter was trying to get my attention, and sure enough, there was a little face looking straight at me, and Murray had found one little tiny crevice, a little tiny spot between a bunch of things. Luckily I it was just objects pushed together, and the way he had wedged himself in, he couldn't get out again. And what's really strange about birds is if they get stuck someplace, a lot of times they won't make any noise. They'll just go silent. So it makes it all the harder to find them. So anyway, uh Baxter actually saved him and probably saved my sanity from, you know, maybe looking for him for a long time and him not answering. So that was really kind of a cool thing that happened. And I double checked everything in the birdroom. I got everything birdproofed in there. And so we've got Emmy. I just put her actually down on the floor so she can run around down there, and she's really mad about it. Okay, she's exploring the cardboard that the cockatiels were tearing up a couple weeks ago. So I guess she's occupied for a while. Okie dokie, so while she's distracted, and before we get any further into the episode, and before I forget, because I like talking to you so much, let's go through your sleep prep real quick. I assume you're already settled in, comfortable, you've got your pillow in that perfect position and shape, you've got your listening device set at the perfect volume, and you're ready to doze off or just relax for a while, whatever the case. Take a quick moment to stretch, make it a good productive stretch, reach into your arms and legs, into your hands, through the fingers and toes, give everything a really good stretch. Engage those muscles, wiggle your fingers and toes, and then release that stretch and let all of those muscles instantly relax. Oh my gosh, it feels amazing. Follow that with a really good, deep, productive breath of air. You're gonna inhale to about the count of four, hold it for about three seconds, top it off with another quick little inhale, hold it a couple more seconds, and then exhale to about the count of six. Oh my gosh, between those two things, you are set. And if you don't feel like it was quite enough, do them both again. It's an awesome thing. Make it work for you. Let's jump into the cigar box and see what your tea tag and fortune cookie slip are for this week. Your tea tag. The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment. That's hard to do sometimes, but it's a wonderful goal to have. And your fortune cookie slip. A friend will soon reveal an exciting secret to you. Ooh, you'll have to let me know what the secret is. And the lucky numbers off the back of the fortune cookie slip for anyone out there that likes to play number games or the lottery. Two, five, thirteen, twenty one, twenty four, and thirty-five. Good luck if you like to play number games. Put that in the archive receptacle. Rolling right along. Let's see who's been joining the fun and take a look at the next three countries on our listener base location list. Okay, let's start off tonight with South Korea. South Korea has one of the fastest internet infrastructures in the world, helping make it a global leader in technology and digital innovation. South Korea has a tradition of giving names to generations of streets and neighborhoods that reflect history, culture, and local identity. South Korea's food culture includes fermentation traditions that have been passed down for centuries, creating flavors now enjoyed worldwide. So if you're joining the fund from South Korea, you represent innovation, deep-rooted traditions, and a culture that blends the future with the wisdom of the past. Next on the list is Ecuador. Ecuador is named after the equator, which runs directly through the country. Ecuador's Galapagos Islands helped inspire scientific discoveries about nature and evolution. Ecuador is one of the top producers of high quality cacao. That is the magical ingredient behind fine chocolate. So if you're joining the fun from Ecuador, you represent curiosity, natural wonder, and a country that has given the world both discovery and delicious treasures. Last on our list for this week is Latvia. Latvia most forest-covered countries in Europe with forests covering about half of its land. Latvia hosts one of the largest choir festivals in the world where tens of thousands of singers come together in celebration of music. Latvia has one of the oldest surviving folk song traditions in the world, with thousands of songs passed down through generations. So if you're joining the fun from Latvia, you represent harmony, connection, and a culture where voices and traditions carry stories across generations. Okay, so we've got the pickle chicken on the desk now. We'll see how this works out. Sometimes it gets a little rambunctious. What are you doing, Emmy? She's gonna chew on my hand. Okay, so while she's doing that and we get situated, let's cut over to Lon and see what he's got for this week's Got A Minute.

SPEAKER_00 8:20

I want to kind of expand on our thoughts of happiness and joy. We have been speaking of the difference between the two, happiness being things that happen during the day that bring us little flashes of light, flashes of good energy. Uh somebody paid for your meal at the drive-thru. Uh you saw a child smile. Those bring us happiness. Joy is the ongoing feeling of happiness. Happiness happens. Joy is kind of more of a cultivated thing. So I wanted to touch on some of the ways that we can find happiness. And some of the people that we know the names of, example, Dale Carnegie said, happiness does not depend on an external condition. It is governed by our mental attitude. And that is true. Think about it. Those days that just as we wake up we've got a flurry of thoughts, sometimes they're dark or negative. And if we allow that to carry through into the day, that day becomes dark and negative. So it is indeed how we set up our thinking. Buddhist monks will say the first thing you should say in the morning is this will be my peaceful day. And that sets it up for the rest of the day. So back to the point of happiness. Happiness does indeed depend on us. And part of that is to make certain that we don't forget to play, to have fun, to smile, to enjoy it on top of everything else. That is okay. And when I can choose to be happy and accept that, I will generally indeed have a peaceful day. Thrive.

SPEAKER_01 10:34

Ah yes, happiness and joy, two topics that never go out of fashion. And if you're still awake at this point in the evening, we're just gonna go with a real gentle version of happiness, joy, something that's a happy, joyful topic in the world. You cannot go wrong with trees. They're gonna make you feel happy in the moment, okay? And then joyful long term, because it's really hard to dislike a tree. They have so many good things going for them. So I have prepared a stupid long list of tree facts, trivia, and information to help you fall asleep to the most interesting, pleasant, unexciting topic I could think of. Trees. And you know we're really heading into summer, and the trees are green, a lot of them have already gone through their blooming phase, and so they're gonna start producing fruit soon if you've got fruit trees. So there's so many good things to be thought of when it comes to trees, and more. So let's start off by asking why trees matter to humans. You've got to ask yourself, what can a tree do for you? Well, trees are basically Earth's giant natural infrastructure system. They produce oxygen through photosynthesis, they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they filter air pollution by trapping particles on their leaves and bark, they help regulate temperature by providing shade and releasing water vapor through the process called transpiration. One large, mature tree can absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. It can cool the surrounding area by several degrees compared to places without trees. It can reduce storm water runoff by slowing rainfall before it hits the ground, you know, because of the branches and leaves. Trees protect soil. Their roots hold soil in place and reduce erosion. Forests help prevent landslides and protect waterways. Trees are nature's water managers, roots pull water from the soil, leaves release moisture back into the atmosphere, and forests influence local rainfall patterns. Humans have depended on trees forever for shelter, tools, paper, medicines, food, fuel, transportation materials, and back to the medicines, many modern medicines have origins in tree compounds. For instance, the bark of the willow tree helped inspire aspirin, and the Pacific Ew tree provides compounds that are used in cancer treatments. Trees have been around longer than dinosaurs. Trees appeared on the earth hundreds of millions of years ago. The first forests looked very different from today. They were comprised of giant fern like plants, very strange prehistoric trees, and some of them reached enormous heights because Earth's atmosphere had different conditions back then. The oldest known trees on Earth today are often bristlecone pine trees, with some individuals that are over four thousand years old. A bristle cone pine can be alive today while having started growing before the pyramids were built and having watched many ancient civilizations rise and fall. Here's some trivia about the largest trees on Earth. The largest tree by volume is General Sherman Tree. It's a giant sequoia located in Sequoia National Park. Giant sequoias are not necessarily the tallest trees, but they are massive. They have huge trunks, extremely thick bark, and enormous weight. The tallest trees on Earth are coast redwood trees, with some exceeding three hundred and fifty feet tall. The tallest known living tree is Hyperion tree, which is over three hundred and eighty feet tall. That's amazing. So we just did the tallest and biggest trees, let's talk about the smallest and weirdest trees. The smallest tree is debated because it depends on how you define the word tree. Some tiny tree like plants include the dwarf willow species that stay only a few inches tall. The dwarf willow is the smallest true tree species and can grow low to the ground like a tiny shrub. Trees don't have to be tall. A tree is generally defined by having a woody stem or trunk and branching structure. Keep in mind that nature doesn't always follow our categories. The fastest growing trees. So let's see, what are some of the fastest growing trees? Well it's not a tree, but let's toss bamboo in. It's actually a type of grass, not a tree. But some bamboo can grow several feet in a single day under certain ideal conditions. But among true trees, the Empress tree is famous for extremely rapid growth. Fast growth usually comes with trade-offs. Some of the fastest growing trees have shorter lifespans and weaker wood. Trees that aren't actually trees would be banana trees. They're not trees at all, they're a giant herb. What looks like a trunk is actually layers of packed leaf bases, and the bananas are technically berries. And palm trees are not actually trees either. They're closer relatives of grasses and flowering plants. Many palms do not have traditional tree rings or branching structures. Let's get into some interesting trivia. Trees communicate. Forests are not just collections of individual trees. The tree roots connect with fungi underground. The relationship is called and I'm going to mess this up mycoresal networks, microhesal networks. Fungi help trees to absorb nutrients and access water. Trees can exchange carbon, nutrients, and chemical signals this way. Older trees are sometimes called mother trees, and research suggests that the older trees can play an important role in supporting younger plants and trees in its surroundings. And let's talk about something really weird. The aspen tree. Aspen forests can actually be one giant organism. Pando is a famous example. Pando is a massive colony of genetically identical aspen trees connected underground by one enormous root system. Even though it looks like thousands of trees, it may be technically one organism. The estimated age is thousands of years old. Now being in Colorado, I have been up to the mountains many, many, many times and just seeing the aspens change in the fall is absolutely beautiful. Wonderful trees, wonderful. You don't really want them in your yard though. They are one organism, so they just keep sprouting more up, so you can get a whole forest going in your yard if you're not careful. Really bad for the plumbing. Alright, moving right along. There are trees that are basically living time capsules. Ginkgo beloba trees are often called living fossils. They existed alongside dinosaurs, they survived ice ages, major climate changes, and human history. And ginkgo trees are also famous because their species has changed very little over millions of years. Everybody's favorite the bonsai tree. The bonsai tree is not a specific tree. Bonsai means tree and a tray in Japanese. Bonsai trees can be pines, maples, junipers, figs, and many other species. A bonsai is not genetically miniature. It is kept small through pruning, root management, and very careful shaping. Some bonsai trees are hundreds of years old. And there are bonsai sized natural trees. Some species naturally stay some species naturally stay small, Japanese maple varieties, alpine trees, and some willows. Harsh environments create natural bonsai, and these environments would include wind, cold, poor soil, and limited growing seasons. Trees growing on cliffs or mountains can be hundreds of years old, but maybe only a few feet tall. More fun facts about trees in general. Trees have incredible survival tricks. Some trees can survive fire. There are certain pine cones that actually need fire because the heat helps open them. The seeds are released after a wildfire. Some trees can regrow after being cut. They send up new shoots from roots or stumps. Trees can defend themselves, some release chemicals that discourage insects, and some can warn nearby plants of threats. Trees and people. Many people report feeling calmer around trees. Spending time around natural environments, like trees, is associated with lower stress levels, improved mood, and reduced mental fatigue. There is a practice called forest bathing that became popular in Japan. Forest bathing is not literally bathing, it just means spending mindful time around trees. Common practices include slow walking, noticing sounds, touching tree bark, paying attention to smells and surroundings, and some people practice tree grounding. Tree grounding is standing barefoot outdoors, sitting against a tree, using nature as a calming ritual, or even standing next to a tree and putting your hands on it. And whether you view it as scientific, spiritual, or just relaxation, many people find trees help create a feeling of connection to the earth and a feeling of calm. Strange tree facts. As we've already mentioned, some trees can live thousands of years. Some trees can walk in a loose sense. Certain tropical plants will slowly shift their root growth over time. Trees can survive in some very extreme places like deserts, mountains, and swamps. Trees and tree colonies are among the oldest life forms on earth. And a forest is not just a Bunch of trees. It is an entire community of trees, fungi, birds, insects, microorganisms, animals, and soil life. And here's some final thoughts on why trees fascinate us. Humans have always looked to trees as symbols of growth, wisdom, strength, and survival. A tree is something that starts tiny and takes decades to grow. It provides benefits that it may never personally experience. Trees are some of the best examples of patience in nature. Slow growth, long memory, and constant adaptation. They remind us that not everything valuable happens all at once. The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now, and that is an attributed proverb. We're gonna end with two bonus topics. The first one being mesquite trees, the desert survivors. Mesquite trees are famous in the American Southwest. They are incredibly adapted to dry environments. Their secret weapon is extremely deep roots. Some mesquite roots can reach over a hundred feet deep searching for groundwater. Mesquite trees can survive where many other plants cannot. The indigenous people used mesquite for thousands of years. Its uses include food, medicine, tools, and firewood. Mesquite pods are edible. They can be dried and ground into flour, and they contain natural sweetness and nutrients. Mesquite wood is famous for smoking meat and producing a strong distinctive flavor. Mesquite can actually be a problem in some areas because without natural grazing patterns, it can spread very aggressively. It is both a valuable desert resource and a plant that can drastically change ecosystems. Desert animals love mesquite. Birds use it for shelter, animals eat the pods, and the thorny branches provide protection. And your second bonus topic for tonight not a tree. We're gonna swing back around to bamboo. Bamboo's a favorite of mine. I have it growing in my yard, actually, I have a little clump of it. And it is not a tree again, it is grass. It is in the same family as the grass growing in your yard. Or grass is used for cereal crops. The difference is that bamboo can become very enormous and woody. Some species of bamboo can grow about three feet in a single day under ideal conditions, and this means that you could theoretically watch bamboo grow noticeably within hours. Bamboo grows quickly because it does not build a thick trunk slowly like a tree, it extends hollow stems called combs. Bamboo has a very lightweight structure and very high tensile strength. Some bamboo has been compared to materials like steel in strength to weight discussions. It's been used for buildings, bridges, flooring, musical instruments, and tools. And I'm gonna add cloth to that, as well as paper. Okay, so bamboo has some very strange life cycle traits. Some species of bamboo are only gonna produce flowers once every several decades. So when a whole species of bamboo flowers, large numbers of bamboo plants may flower at the same time worldwide. And then after flowering, many bamboo species will die back. And scientists still debate why some bamboo evolved such bizarre flowering schedules. When it comes to panda bears, giant panda diets are famously bamboo heavy. Bamboo is low in nutrition compared with meat, so pandas compensate by eating huge amounts of it and spending almost all day feeding. And a panda could eat dozens of pounds of bamboo in a single day. And if you're still awake right now, that concludes our discussion on trees and bamboo and interesting facts about something very happy and joyful and kind of unexciting. I hope you've had fun. And now that we're at the end of the episode, it seems that Emmy has finally settled down a little bit. She is so cute. Okie dokie, make sure that you subscribe on your favorite app. Don't forget to tune in on Friday for vintage bedtime stories for everyone. We are continuing through the looking glass by Lewis Carroll. And until then, sleep tight, good night, and bye bye.