Good People

Greetings, gentle listeners.

Since we've last checked in with each other, I have spiraled into madness, but it's fine. I'm fine, great even.

Did you know there were 11.4 billion trees in Virginia?

Isn't that great?

Did you also know that Virginia ranks fourth among the states

for having the most big tree species with 76 national champion trees?

What's a champion tree you might be asking?

I'm so glad you ask, gentle listener.

Champion trees are the supersized superstars of their species.

They've been blessed by a perfect storm of superb growing conditions, both luck and a teflon-like

resilience to hazards.

They are trees that said to Mother Nature, stay out of my way.

Ghost, honey, how do you know so much about trees?

Because I haven't stopped researching trees since we listened to that wizard about town tape and found out that there's a grumpy old man

sitting on the forest floor of Virginia without his cloak, guarding the gates to Hazel Grove.

Maurice says he's sitting under a big tree.

I finished listening to that Wizard About Town tape with a gatekeeper Giuseppe, but there

wasn't much information where we left off.

Here, I'll let you all listen to.

Maybe you all can pick up some clues that I missed out on.

And on top of that, you're out of uniform.

...