certain plants say a lot about the places they come from, and by extension, a lot about the people who come from those places. if you say “birch,” can you think of anyplace other than a northern forest, with some tall and hearty looking human specimens moving briskly through them? possibly on skis or snowshoes? so when i say “olive tree,” where do those snowshoes go? and where to those pale, blond nordic giants go? well, they shrink by about half a foot. and their hair turns black. and they ditch those skis. and they probably lie down in the shade of the olive tree because it’s pretty hot in the sun, and because life is meant to be enjoyed in the form of moments like these, in the shade of olive trees.

olive branch with fruits