Winter 2011-2012 had very little snow. Reclamation of the "Red Pines Lot" had a good start with the removal of about 40 large poplar trees in preparation for, what else, red pines. A few blanks were ruffed out and became the source material for my primitive hand carved bowls for the 2012 season.
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Basswood is really nice for greenwood carving and this summer's windfall on the Groningen Farm was timely. It's not that there aren't a few hundred more poplars to fall on the red pine lot but basswood is smoother, less grainy and almost white, a nice backdrop for pyrographic efforts and the grain accepts watercolors nicely.
The downside is that a single tree is more than one part time carver can consume. Even aggressive efforts as keeping it green, in a state of very slow drying, will fail. It dries quickly but makes poor firewood. All of the top branches were hauled out to the 'dump' where I put all the miscellaneous brush. These piles attract and nurture wildlife and birds, preferably away from your house, not next to it.
Working outside and working inside
More time needs to be allocated for outside work and I need to move the nature and reward of inside work to the outside.
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