This is Merlin, the oak tree that stands right in front of our house. It has been standing there for at least 200 years, probably much longer. It is under this tree that we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner during our summer stress management ‘Connect with Horses’ workshops.
Once it stood surrounded by a forest of family members. Now they are all gone. Merlin alone has endured, the embodiment of determination and resilience.
The moment we believe that success is determined by an ingrained level of ability as opposed to resilience and hard work, we will be brittle in the face of adversity.
Joshua Waitzkin
This is our house, with Merlin in the foreground. It has been standing here for at least 200 years, but we have found references to it in literature dating from the 17th century.
In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.
Albert Bandura
In this house, people have had exactly that, a sense of self-efficacy expressed as self-sufficiency. Today we enjoy the fruits of their resilience, a beautifully preserved, sympathetically-restored authentic maison landaise, that has offered a safe haven to many generations while they struggled with the inevitable inequities of life.
Weekly Photo Challenge theme: resilience
Equine Guided Growth 
I love Merlin! I grew up near Sherwood Forest and I loved seeing the Major Oak, where Robin Hood was supposed to have lived (he didn’t – the tree is old, but not as old as the legend of Robin Hood), as a child. They’re amazing these huge, ancient trees.
I agree. I think there is a lot that we still do not fully understand about trees.
Merlin is incredible. What a wonderful way to spend meals, under this beautiful, sheltering tree. Your place looks gorgeous.
Thank you, Laurie! He certainly is a remarkable tree.
That is a nice spread! Can we have a blogger retreat there? Pretty please!
I think our Walking and Wine Tasting Workshops for writers would be more appreciated, Gary!
It’s a great word. And a fabulous place!
I love places with a history. How wonderful to live at one!
Before moving to California I rented a part of an old mansion in Sweden. You can see the main house here http://wadbring.com/historia/sidor/lagmansherrg.htm. I lived in what used to be the servants house, it would be to the right, just outside the photo. The wooden floors, the windows, the fire place, the wood stove, and some wallpaper where original. I loved it!!
What an elegant, stately house, Maria, and such a rich history too. I wouldn’t have minded living in part of that! I can see why you loved it there
It is. I really enjoyed it. Maybe it was partly because of the warm feeling that always surrounded the place? The people, and the environment together.