isn't always pretty.
A typical scene from our woods in winter...blow down, something we can count on.
Topsoil levels are shallow in most parts of our island. Saturate the ground with enough rain,
throw in some wicked winds
and you might find this on your next walkabout.
On the other hand, around the coastline, you can guess where the trees are going to fall.
How far will they swim
and where will they next take up roost...?
If you view this as *litter,* you may need to reconsider.
Never was there a finer building material for the imagination, as exemplified by these great forts
and time-worn shelters...they pop up almost overnight around here.
But this is transient real estate...don't get too attached...most likely they won't be there next season.
I've found another purpose for this refuse; no heavy lifting, no construction skills necessary.
They fit in my pocket,
travel well,
and serve a very important function...Douglas fir, madrone, red cedar, all working together.
So smooth in the hand from all that tumbling.
And on a lucky day,
I can find ones with a natural slit in the end for holding the tails...
Beautiful fort! And love the driftwood winding sticks.
ReplyDeleteNot much topsoil here either, so lots of the same.
Yes, I can see the similarities in our woods, although you have rocks beyond compare ;>]]
DeleteHow very clever! When I saw the fort, my first thought was an Indian burial structure. I love driftwood, but mine comes from the St. Joe River and it stays stinky for a looooong time.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Interesting thought, Carol, because I think I've read about the method of burial for local Native Americans & there was structure with wood. I can't imagine there was EVER a shortage of it here.
DeleteWhat a lovey idea. So natural to keep thread. I have some pieces of drift wood in a jar and have always felt a bit sad that they were just there, I wished to give them some use and now I have found a nice new life for them, thanks sweetpea.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me **happy** Sandra, their purpose was only waiting for the right moment ;>}}
ReplyDeletefabuleux!
ReplyDelete:>]]
DeleteAs I sit here listening to the 45 mph winds and readying the house and yard for what is to come tomorrow, I read your post. It gives new thought to wind damage, erosion, and nature. I just read where your side of the state is getting too much rain. Here we have too little, the sky is yellow with dirt. So much difference in a few hundred miles. Your winding sticks are inspired. I will get out my basket of shells and wood from the coast and see what I have. I wish I could think of a use for broken shells. The have such character. Wishing you a drier day with less wind.
ReplyDeleteStill wishing, I hope ;>} It is blowing sideways today & I'm watching the trees sway from the window...so crazy out there, not even the dawgs want to go out! I have seen some lovely wind-chimey things made from broken shells. An artist on the next island over creates these and uses old, worn silver cutlery on the ends to clink about in the breeze - quite a nice sound....
DeleteAh - these are perfect - and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, K ~ they are perfectly suited to these silk skeins since they are soooo smooth.
DeleteLovely. The photos. Your wrapping tools. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I was just talking to Tom this morning about falls'n'snags (read: fallen trees and dead standing trees) as I'd found an old article "The Land Owner and Dead Trees". Our forest (Acadian Forest) is very different than your's. But similar too! Just not quite as big. And being inland, no driftwood. :)
It just makes my little heart pitter-patter to know that eventually, down the line, the fallen ones have a chance to be put to further use ~ albeit, in a smaller format. Call me silly, but that's the truth of it! Have you blogged about your forest, Jen? If so, I must pop over & read about it...
DeleteI always mourn for the fallen trees each winter. I love shorelines for the driftwood that lands there!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Penny, even though I know it's a perfectly normal cycle.
DeleteWow, how cool are those thread holders. Now I know what to do with driftwood from the lake. Although it does look good just laying on the shelf, being useful AND beautiful is much better.
ReplyDeleteThat's just what I thought, bwilliams! Plus, they get handled more and they do feel ever so good in the hands :>]]
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, miz Susan...and glad you like the header. I often wonder if it's too corney, but most the time it feels "juuuust riiiiight."
DeleteP.S.
ReplyDeleteI like the byline on your header....so adorable...
What an absolutely marvelous way to wrap thread! I shall start looking for sticks immediately - although sadly they won't have been smoothed by the waves or the sand.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Penny, do....and then you must blog about it, too ;>}}
DeleteThose thread holders all have faces! What a lovely idea.
ReplyDelete...definitely their own *personalities*, Deb...I can tell you've been spending lots of time over at Jude's place {{wink}}
DeleteBeautiful pictures! Love those yarn-sticks (or what can one call them), I always make some myself, have lots of them. Very dear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind comments. My collection is growing, they are a bit addicting to have around, aren't they. I've been calling them "thread spools" but I suppose they could be bobbins or spindles?
DeleteThose driftwood tumbled thread holders are fabulous! What a brilliant idea! :o)
ReplyDeletegosh, thanks. Can't take full credit...not an original idea...I'm sure I've seen something similar somewhere before & the idea got tucked back in my brain parts somewhere. Till one day I was looking at them collected on the shelf above my work table where some large skeins of silk threads were piled, just waiting to be wound onto something....and well, voila.
DeleteOhhh! You're making me so nostalgic for the wet coast!! I'd like to hold the smoothness of the driftwood in my hands. I remember many summers in Vancouver, sunbathing, with my back propped up against the logs. Yes, the beach had been tidied up a lot, but the ambiance was still there. I'll be looking for driftwood when I'm on the shores of Lake Huron this summer. Not quite the same (no smell of salt air), but there are small bits of driftwood laying about. Your skein idea is wonderful and I'll be stealing it for sure!!
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Anne Marie!! (hope you post about it, too :>]]
Deleteas I also live on an island... near by I know what you mean by the rain and the wind and the fallen trees.. and when I walk on my beach below my home.. I often see those driftwood forts.. and I always bring home some small driftwood too.
ReplyDeleteHard not to collect them, isn't it, Donna? Some are so smooth they are like *worry stones* to me....
DeleteThree awesome photos!!! I'm envious of your depth of field with the tree. Hand-held? I'm guessing not. Love the artsy treatment of the driftwood fort too. Nice nod of the hat to the skill it takes to build such a fort. Of course the driftwood winders make my heart go pitter-patter... could it be the sheen and saturation of silken yarns?
ReplyDeleteOh Robin, you are going to LAUGH ~ that tree was taken with my PHONE (never go out walking without it). That particular fort comes from your Jackson Beach, ya know! Yes on the silk...good eye ;>}}
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