Islands of Trees, Landscapes of People

Planting I

I met this woman deep inside the forest. She had no idea I was coming but was all dressed up, with a huge smile. Dison, the river singer (as I’ve started calling), was playing with the hunting dog and busy sorting the roots that would be planted. In the first image, Irene is posing on her forest plot; the second image is of her planting. My camera caught her smile, closed eyes, and peace. I stayed with her for an afternoon until a rain forced us off the planting grounds. Later that night she told me stories. I asked her to tell me some planting and gardening secrets. She told me that I have to stay, or perhaps, when I return and work again.