Bobbledy contributor extraordinaire (a moniker we would bestow even were he not the son of the son of Robbi’s dad’s cousin), Simon has sent us two more in his series of remarkable, fantastical drawings. In keeping with February’s theme, Simon’s latest works explore the wonderful world of trees, with an emphasis on the tallest among them.
Because I am a writer and not a tree specialist, I was not previously aware of the mighty Hypselofolius, and even the most well-intentioned Google search did not bring me closer to discovery.
One can only assume that Simon has been traipsing about in previously unexplored sections of the upper atmosphere, in places where even the most intrepid fear to go. His discovery is a worthy one indeed, an amazing flower more than twice the height of a 98-foot Oak tree.
I cannot say whether or not the Hypselofolius is in any way related to the Hypselodoris, a genus of colorful sea slugs, but I would bet at least five dollars that it is not.
I have never been a fan of slugs, but I must say that the little fellow above has sweetened my opinion of the species (if slugs are even a species; again, I repeat, I was an English major).
Moving on, then, to Simon’s second drawing, which was, we suspect, inspired by Benji McBean’s Amazing Machines, here is Simon’s Poppler-Planting, Beech-Beginning, Redwood Rebuting, Robot (Simon’s dad Brad sent along a note that suggests that “rebut” is but a more enlightened way of spelling “reboot,” a fact which, as an English major, I am very glad to know.)
Being a lover of trees, I have utmost respect for a machine that exists to make more of them. It is a refreshing thought in this age in which trees and machines seem so often to be at odds. A benevolent robot indeed. A marvelous machine. Thank you, Simon, for your vision, your ingenuity, and your efforts to advance the English language (“rebut” being one letter more efficient than “reboot”).
I sense the future is in good hands.
And as our astute readership has probably surmised, “poppler” is an archaic alternative spelling of “poplar”. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
I actually prefer the “poppler” spelling. It’s so sassy. I think we should start a campaign to rename it.
Robbi: I’m pretty sure Simon already has.