Names are used for so many things... people, places, things, pets. There are formal names and nicknames. First names and last names. Names are what we use to identify that which we are talking about. Some people name their cars- my husband named his guitar "Rose" in college. Why "Rose?" Maybe because of it's reddish brown, or maybe because he likes flower names. I don't know that I ever asked him. I named my Navy Blue 1969 Volkswagen Beetle, Marley. Why "Marley"? Because I liked listening to Bob Marley music. Naming things feels good; makes me smile when I call something by it's name. Coming up with a name can be a difficult process for some, and quite easy for others. Places in great stories and movies have names that people remember. And that name evokes visuals in our mind of that place. So if a name can be so much more than an identifier, then why not come up with a great one?
Our name process took a little over a month. The previous owners were devoted gardeners and loved plants. We love plants and gardening too. Much to our delight, the warm weather and arrival of Spring is unveiling all the wonderful plants and trees growing here. Winter and fall leaves has been hiding so much beauty and life. The previous owners took us on a tour of the land, orchard and perennial gardens, pointing out each and every plant they added- and yes calling them by their names. Some we were familiar with and many we had never heard of. A few fruit trees, flowering trees, shade plants, full sun plants, perennial herbs, rhubarb, and a redwood tree. WAIT- a redwood tree? Growing in Western New York, how is that possible?
A couple years ago, we took a West Coast Road Trip from Albuquerque, through the Grand Canyon, swung down to Southern California, and up the California coast to Big Sur, then Yosemite. Both Big Sur and Yosemite are home to magnificent Redwood trees. The different climates of Big Sur and Yosemite fostered different redwood trees. Some tall and skinny- on the coast. The redwoods in the Mariposa Grove of Yosemite, were big and fat and what I always think of when I imagined a Redwood Tree (based upon photos I had seen). We are tiny people in the midst of giants, when we visit the redwoods.
Needless to say, this little puny tree pointed out to us didn't look anything like any Redwood Tree we'd seen. But when we got a closer look, the bark & trunk had a reddish color and the foliage looked right. Upon research, my husband found that Redwood Trees grow all over the country. Who knew? Ours is a Dawn Redwood. Maybe it's a young tree. It's a deciduous conifer- meaning it looses it's foliage each fall/ winter.
REDWOOD was going to be part of the name. But what else? We needed some descriptive word for the rest of the name... homestead, acres, meadow, creek, land, marsh, estate. We searched high and low. Then I was reminded of the scene from Lord of the Rings of the Shire. I couldn't remember the name of the place, and asked my husband. Thinking about the Shire, makes me feel good. Wikipedia has an amazing description all about the Shire, and what I found sold me on the name.
"The Shire is described as a small but beautiful, idyllic and fruitful land, beloved by its inhabitants."
That description was absolutely perfect! The lay of our land is a hilly meadow, surrounded by woods, marsh and 2 creeks. The house is nestled in below road level- somewhat hidden from sight. We hope to cultivate a grand garden, fruit bearing plants and trees, and possibly raise some chicken down the road.
From that day on, we have called this place not only our home; but Redwoodshire as well.
