The Happiest Tree in Seattle

Small Chimes, Big Smiles - creating everyday magic in Your community

My wife and I planted this fig tree shortly after moving into our home. What first seemed like a little twig in the ground has grown into a beautiful tree that bears a ton of figs each season.

Like any other fruit-bearing tree, it takes a couple of years to produce. But before we knew it, figs started to appear on the branches with the promise of more to come.

Then came the squirrels.

I can't blame them. Being a squirrel is no picnic (unless you're stealing someone else's, of course), and you've got to find food where you can get it. When it appears on a silver platter in front of you, why wouldn't you jump in and eat your fill? Then came the birds who didn't want to be left out either. It didn't take long before our hopes of having bowls and bowls of figs were replaced by an empty tree and some very satisfied local wildlife.

Thankfully, my wife is brilliant. Somewhere along the way, she had picked up a box of little Buddha wind chimes. One fine morning, before the next round of figs was to appear, she hung these little wind chimes all around the branches of the tree. When a squirrel, bird, or some other intrepid creature would come along for an afternoon snack, the wind chimes awaited. A solid jump on a branch would trigger all this chiming and jingling, and that was enough to scare them off.

Problem solved and figs abound.

As the tree has grown, so has the collection of wind chimes. Before long, a funny thing started to happen. Families would come to visit the tree. We'd look out our front window and see little kids come and touch the wind chimes. Parents gently jiggle the branches to hear their song. Couples come and circle the tree to observe the myriad of fun wind chimes. We have so many people tell us that they love the tree and it has become part of their daily routine - to stop at the singing tree.

The more we noticed this, the more we (and by we, I mean my wife) would do. She hung fun decorations from the branches. Spirals, gems, and more chimes have come to adorn this fig tree over the years. The fig tree seems to love the attention. It's healthy, strong, and bears amazing fruit. The tree seems happy.

What started as a simple solution to a fruit-thieving problem blossomed into something far more profound. Our fig tree feels a bit like a community touchstone - a living, growing reminder of the power of creativity and shared experiences.

And it's a reminder that often meaningful changes start small. A handful of wind chimes not only solved our fig dilemma but also created something of a mini tourist attraction for neighbors; it's a source of wonder for children and a daily dose of joy for passersby as well as ourselves. It showed us that when we open our hearts (and our yards), we can cultivate more than just fruit - we can grow community in our own small way.

Our neighborhood has fairy houses tucked away in nooks and crannies on each block. I think our next addition might be a fairy house for the tree, or perhaps a gnome or two. It's fun to look for opportunities to create something magical in our little neck of the woods. There's something truly special about being more intentional in sharing our own slice of paradise with others.

The lesson is clear: by nurturing growth, embracing creativity, and sharing beauty, we can transform ordinary spaces into somewhat extraordinary experiences. And in doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also those of everyone around us.

My friends, I ask you: What's your "singing fig tree"? What seemingly insignificant act could you perform today that might send ripples of joy through your community? It could be as simple as planting a flower in a bare patch of earth, adding a cheerful decoration to your porch, or just offering a kind word or smile to someone out on a walk. Remember, the most enchanting melodies often begin with just one gentle sound.

So what beautiful music might you start in your corner of the world today?

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Quick Hits

• If you recall, I gave a talk at SporcleCon about improving your memory. If you’re interested, you can check it out here. I’m on stage with the incomparable Buzzy Cohen (of Jeopardy! fame). If nerdy memory stuff is your jam, you’ll love this.

• I’ve been spending a lot of time on Instagram Threads these days (Twitter is dead to me). If you feel so inclined, go ahead and give me a follow.

• My buddy (and workplace proximity associate) Mark has started a new newsletter. Give it a read—he’s a smart, funny dude, so I bet y’all will enjoy it.

That’s it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and remember to be good. But if you can’t be good, don’t get caught.