<p>I have always been intrigued by traditions from various cultures and religions.  </p>

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<p>My friend, Felice, shared with me the story behind the Jewish holiday <strong><a href="http://www.jewishbyte.com/tubshvat.php" target="_blank">Tu B'shvat (New Year for Trees)</a></strong> not too long ago.  Felice is a former teacher as well, so her storytelling is exceptional. </p>

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<p>I wish I thought to record her for you, but for now, just close your eyes and imagine the sweetest and softest of voices speaking of planting trees as a symbol of the Jewish faith's optimism and hope for the future.  By planting a tree, you are making the earth a more beautiful place for future generations. </p>

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<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Sound familiar?  Tu B'shvat was around loooooooong before Earth Day, peeps. </span></strong></span></p>

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<p>Felice and I initially talked about Tu B'shvat in autumn.  She suggested that we celebrate the tree planting together for the blog some time in February!  Hurrah!  I made a note to remind her in January. </p>

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<p>Which I did last Thursday, January 20th.  </p>

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<p><strong>Felice:</strong>  <em>(walking over to her Jewish calendar at ther desk)</em> I hope we didn't miss it.  Sometimes it falls in January.</p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Uh-oh. </p>

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<p><strong>Felice:</strong>  <em>(pointing to the calendar)</em> Oh, here it is:  January 20th.  What is today?</p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  January 20th.</p>

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<p><em>(Silence.  Thinking.  More silence.</em>)</p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  We need tree seeds.  Do you think we have remaining Trees in a Box that we used to send to customers as a thank you for "going green" with our webinars? </p>

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<p><strong>Felice:</strong>  (holding up a grapefruit)  I don't know, but we have THIS!</p>

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<p>Felice then breaks into storytelling mode and spins a tale of her daughter planting a citrus seed which produced the most beautiful citrus tree that you have ever seen. </p>

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<p>You gotta love teachers for their heart and their improvisational abilities!</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/felice.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3515" title="felice" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/felice-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/seed.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3516" title="seed" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/seed-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/treeplant1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3517" title="treeplant1" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/treeplant1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/treeplant2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3518" title="treeplant2" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/treeplant2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p>P.S.  Felice -- when I googled Tu B'shvat today, I noticed that the 2010 date is January 30th.  Is your calendar different, or did we read it incorrectly?  Oops!  :-o </p>

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<p>P.P.S -- Attention smokers at Noble Publishing Superpower:  First of all, those things will give you cancer.  Second of all, I've done my part in beautifying and purifying the air in you "area".  Now, throw those butts in the trash, you litterbugs, you!  </p>