|
Two weeks ago I felt ill. My head was pounding, my shoulders were stiff and sore, and I developed a case of the sniffles. I felt awful! Since I'm older than 60 I decided I better go to the doctor the very next day.
My doctor is a very nice fellow and is usually very happy go lucky. This day he was quite serious. "Fred, we've had several cases of H1N1 flu here in the last two weeks and I think that's what you have contracted."
Shocked, I remembered Bugs Bunny saying, "is it serious Doc?" Then I asked what I needed to do to get better. My doctor gave me many, many pills and a strict regimen as to what pill I should take when, and for how long. In a daze, I somehow made it back to my home with my life passing before my eyes.
As I laid down on the couch wrapping up in a blanket as my wonderful wife made me chicken soup, I started thinking of all I had done and accomplished with my life. Then my thoughts turned to all I am absolutely grateful for.
Of course, I'm grateful for my wife, my family, my friends, my house, my health, and more, but as I began to think about how fortunate I am, one thing became clear, and I don't think it was the antibiotics doing the talking.
Bonsai is a wonderful hobby.
A lot of my early days were extremely hectic. There were times that I wasn't sure what would become of me and I didn't know what my direction was or where life would take me. My early business life was extremely stressful and I made many mistakes I've kicked myself over undeservedly. But as I grew, I would always return home to my "sanctuary" of bonsai.
Bonsai helped direct much of my life. In fact, I wouldn't of had the nerve to ask my eventual wife out if it weren't for the fact that I overheard her speaking of bonsai and knew I had something in common with her to talk about to break the ice.
Then, many years later, because of the love of bonsai my wife and I shared, we decided to open Dallas Bonsai Garden and we were given the opportunity to serve all of you.
Thank you!
I am very thankful for you and all you have given us. We have always strived to provide you with everything you would ever need to enjoy this wonderful hobby and it's because of our love of bonsai and YOU that we have continued to be the world's largest bonsai supply store for 30 straight years.
At some point as I drifted off to sleep while watching TV I realized just how perfect everything is, how everything happens for a reason, and how thankful I am for everyone I have come across on this path called life.
I slept clear through the night on the couch. My wife said I was sleeping so soundly that she didn't want to wake me. I usually wake up at 4:30am, but I slept until 10am the next day. And...
My illness was gone!
At first I couldn't believe it. I searched my body for some sore or aching joints. Nothing! I called my doctor and told him. He said, "that's incredible! You still have to take all those pills though!"
Our new monthly Bonsai tips are brought to you, by special arrangement, courtesy of the John Yoshio Naka Family. You can find the full year’s guide and a whole lot more in the book Bonsai Techniques I by John Naka. We have both of Mr. Naka’s books, Bonsai Techniques I and Bonsai Techniques II, available for immediate purchase.
All bonsai should be dormant by now, but if the weather or storage temperature has been too warm they may not be, and care must be taken to prevent a second growth.
Location: Same rules as October. Guard against cold winds, frost and snow storms. Even some freak warm days too.
Watering:Less water this month, but do not let tress dry out even during dormancy. Trees are very sensitive even if they are dormant. Keep an eye on drainage. Never water bonsai when it is frozen.
Trimming: Remove any leaves remaining on deciduous trees. Be sure all fruit and seed pods are off too. This is a good month to remove all tip burned needles on pines, and any unsightly or extra long second year needles. This is also the time for the second trimming on black pines.
Training:Most branches will be too brittle to wire and bend this month.
Fertilizing:No fertilizing this month.
Transplanting:Do not attempt any this month.
Miscellaneous:It is a good time to collect native materials in the Southern states.
| 
