Nesting and Tinkering

No matter what we're feeling or what else is happening in our lives, the world continues to whirl on its axis, life does go on - plants grow, creatures continue to build their nests...I discovered this one, whilst trying to tame (or at least,  semi-contain) the wild jungle hill of bracken and thorn.

Though it appears to be abandoned for now, at the moment, I'm in much too much awe of it's craftsmanship to even think about tearing it down. Even though it's not very conveniently located for our little personal planning commission - well, they had squatter's rights, and I just can't bring myself to invoke eminent domain right now, even if it is abandoned.

I know - from this angle - it looks rather shabby...It's difficult to tell from the photos, how large and elaborate this nest really is - photos just aren't doing it justice; it seems like there's no good angle to properly photograph it from, not one that really captures it's charm. How magical it looks in real life...

There are pinecones strategically woven into it! Even accounting for some freak gale force wind that might have carried them there - there isn't even a pine tree near it - and some are on the inside - which was hidden behind other tree limbs (before I got to them with my trusty pruning shears, anyway) that would have prevented any from just falling or blowing in - and some are still attached to their tiwgs, which are woven into the overall scheme of things in the nest - no, they definitely were placed there with care. It's like they hung up pictures! Or else maybe, it's their pantry...either way, it's an amazing feat of natural architecture.

The whole structure starts well above my head, but with the entry at about eye level - well, with me standing just below it, so I suppose that's really still slightly higher, and it continues on down, all the way to the ground, with a sort of balcony with more pinecones at the midlevel. The inside dimensions (I couldn't resist breaking out my little pocket measuring tape) of the main room are about 2'x2'x1' - that's just the inside nest dimensions. Inside. My little pocket measuring tape isn't long enough to measure all of the outside - the tape only goes to a yard...

Because it's so large, and starts from the ground upward, and has all these amenities such as balconies and decorative pinecone accents - I think it may be a squirrel's nest. Though, who knows -maybe elves or faeries or gnomes built it!

Does anyone else know? Or have any guesses?

Whoever built it - I think it's a masterpiece.

Back when B. was much younger, we would have K.'s godson, who was close in age, stay for a week or two, here and there throughout the long summer vacation. The two of them had great imaginations and loved a lot of the same movies and books, they'd play out different scenes from them, and work in some new material of their own. One of their favorite movies was "The Secret Garden," which they would reenact, climbing up and down the hill through all the growing things. Periodically, they'd pause to snap a twig, yelling "It's wick!" as they did in the movie, when they'd find it was a green twig. Somehow, out of all that playing, they decided they would build a little hideout from the branches and twigs they were gathering.

The plan started out with them doing all the building - but somehow, I got roped into helping a bit, when they'd run into a branch here and there, that was too big for them to bend on their own. As I'd go about pruning things (this was back when we managed to keep the hill of bracken and thorn somewhat tamed on a more regular basis) - I'd set aside smooth branches that I'd find, for them to use. Later, after they'd gone on to something else, I'd still find myself taking a smooth twig or half a dozen over to the structure, and weaving it in. There was something really satisfying about finding just the right spot for each branch or twig, and seeing that next gap fill in...I finally had to make myself go inside, and leave it alone - after all, it was their project, not mine. But for a little while, I really did enjoy the tinkering...

For many years, it stood at the bottom of the hill, as a testament to those long, happy summer days. Eventually though, as many things do, their hut succumbed to time and Mother Nature. Seeing this nest though, brought back those memories. Finding it has rekindled my own desire to tinker - not necessarily with twigs and branches and pinecones - but I have the urge to tinker with something. Which is good, because that's what tinkers are meant to do. Much as I and so many others miss her, I think Daisy would want everyone to keep on being themselves - living and creating. Enjoying life and the world around us. Each of us remembering and honoring her creative spirit in our own way.

If you need me, give me a holler (or an e-mail) - I'll just be over here tinkering around for a little bit...

TTFN

Comments

[Tammy]

I loved your description of this nest Tink. I'm sure your friend is smiling down at you as you tinker away. :) HUGS

[janet]

Your description made me think of fairies or gnomes! Pinecones as decorative accents - I love that! Nests are so personal, so comforting. We could all do with a bit of nesting right now. I agree with you about living life and creating and remembering Daisy. I was in Michael's today (being bad!) and I saw daisies on so many things! It was like a sign or something.
Love you :-)

[Caroline]

Wow what a great nest - I hope it is a squirrels!

[Alison Whittington]

How aMAZing! It's beautiful. Most definitely a gnome home. Love the decorating.

I told my husband the other day that, when we have more property, with big trees, that I want a tree house. And he said, "Yeah that'll be nice, when we have kids." And I replied, "No, I mean I want a tree house for me. I've always wanted a tree house. The kids will have to have their own."

[gemma]

Does Big Bird live near you?
I found a little tiny hummingbird nest...no balconys or alcoves...You are right Tinker....we do need to honor Daisy's creative spirit with our own creativity.xoxo

[violetismycolor]

I am in the process of trying to tame my garden, and let me tell you...it prefers to be wild...

[Pacian]

Fairies and gnomes? Hardly. It's clearly one of the many winter palaces of the starling royal family.

They move around as much as they can, to keep the foxes and cats on their toes, and it's extremely unlikely that they'll come back - although the fact that they visited in the first place shows how highly they esteem your garden, Tinker.

[Paris Parfait]

This is a wonderful post - a beautifully-written description of the nest, whatever it is - and your own efforts at helping with the hut. There is something magical about creating, no matter what it is - and I think you're right about Daisy's creative spirit and wanting everyone to continue "tinkering" and creating. You are always an inspiration, Terri! xo

[eb]

yes - I enjoyed this post as well - my son has built some fairy dwellings - with a swing and an upper platform - I posted it awhile back - but I walk by these little dwellings everyday and they give me so much pleasure - wish that I could help with the nest identification

xox - eb.

[pam aries]

I'm going with the faeries, elves or gnomes theory! ..Wow... how cool is that! I agree with you that Daisy would be saying the same as if she were here!! It seems so strange ..still.

[kai]

thats a lovely nst and a wonderfully descriptive detail of it's origins and life..
Perfect for summer. PEace, Kai

[tammy vitale]

maybe it's a dragon's lair!

[Angela]

I think nest's are sooo beautiful. It's just amazing to me to think that a bird carried lil pieces back and forth until the nest was complete! What a beautiful photo! Thanks for sharing with us!
*HUGS*

[bella]

What a magical story!!

[Kamsin]

Tinker, your creative spirit and sense of joy and wonder at nature are an inspiration! Enjoy your tinkering!

[GeL (Emerald Eyes)]

Riveted reading about this amazing nest inspiration. Lovely photo.
Our backyard backs to woods. Many squirrel and racoon nests, but no fairies or gnomes...or maybe I just haven't found them yet. ;)

[miss*R]

I am trying ever so hard to smile Tinker, really I am. I am searching through my emails to find those exact words that *daisy* emailed me awhile back.

I am sifting through my thoughts and feelings on my blog, it isn't much fun there at the moment :(

just coming by to say hi & to thankyou for your email of support. xoxo