This phrase shows up, in print, in the book authored by John Heywood. The proverb reads, "Plentie is nodeintie, ye see not your owne ease. I see, ye can not see the wood for trees." The grammatical structure of the phrase is a bit off-putting in today's language but back in Heywood's day the word "for" was used as the words "because of". Tweaking it to today's grammar it would read, "Can't see the forest because of the trees." ( source ) I confess, this phrase has always made me scratch my head. I think I was getting hung up on the word "for" and now that I know a bit more about the etymological information it makes a little more sense. But I still don't like it, I'm not keen on it. Maybe it's just because it is nature based and I'm an indoors girl. *wink* Another way to think about the phrase is, "to be overwhelmed by detail to the point where it obscures the overall situation." And then ...

NYC July 2010 It's mi padre's birthday today!  My Daddy is another year older today but doesn't look it.  It seems us Ashley's wear our age very well.  I'm so grateful for my Daddy. He has incredible work ethic and integrity, is a great Papa, loves bringing all of his family together for face and heart time, has a deep and quiet love for God, and can't hum "Like a Virgin" even when he tries (yep, there's a story behind that - ha!).  I'm a clone of my Daddy in looks and actually in a lot of the Type A ways also.  Happiest Birthday Daddy, you are loved! National Sea Monkey Day What in the world are sea monkeys?! Buy your own Sea Monkey Aquarium Did you have Sea Monkeys when you were a kid? Learn to Swim Day So important, even for those who live in a landlocked state. Sign up for lessons and at least learn the basics, you never know when you will need to have the skill! The History of Swimming - say what? Claims it started in the S...