ATHENA and ODIN

As promised, here is a photo of Athena, my olive tree, and Odin, the gnome that I repainted.

I bought the olive tree at Trader Joe's in Rochester, MN. for $12.  Its identifying tag read that in three years the plant should produce olives.  I'm not holding my breath, but that's the intrigue.  

Her name is Athena.  Why?  Because.....

The origin of the Olive trees in Athens, Greece, is explained through the intervention of the Goddess Athena.  

Thousands of years ago, the gods Poseidon and Athena battled for the favor of the city that is known as Athens.  Legend tells that Poseidon smashed his trident (spear) upon the land to create a salt spring.  The wise Athena offered a more productive gift.  She planted an olive tree on top of the Acropolis.  The city's leaders chose Athena, and one can still find an olive tree in the same spot today.  Over the centuries, the tree suffered during wars, but it has always survived, or a branch was always saved to be replanted.

Have no idea how big the tree will get.  I just put the tree out on the deck so it can get sun and fresh air.  Also, the tree looks fragile in its youth, so hopefully the breeze will strengthen it like living outside ourselves strengthens us humans. 

You'll notice a tiny gnome in the blue planter beside Athena.  There's also a little gnome planted beside my Christmas Cactus.  The gnome statues were used in gardens to protect plants, so that's their job.

 "It is quite affecting to observe how much the olive tree is to the country people.  It's fruit supplies them with food, medicine and light; its leaves, winter fodder for the goats and sheep; it is their shelter from the heat and its branches and roots supply them with firewood.  The olive tree is the peasant's all-in-all."  ~Fredrika Bremer

 "The groves were God's first temples."  ~William C. Bryant

"Like a twisted olive tree in its 500th year, giving them its finest fruit, is man.  How can he give forth wisdom until he has been crushed and turned in the Hand of God."  ~Rabbi Akiva