Winter Swing Tree

     Have you ever climbed a tree? I hope so! Many, many childhood summer hours of mine were spent up in the branches of a big (elm?) tree in our side yard. It was huge. Well, most likely it wasn't–but from my perspective then it was! Dad, probably with the help of one or both of my older brothers, secured some flat boards (a small door?) a ways up in it. 

     The platform was just big enough for two children to sit on. Sometimes it was just me and our cat. Usually I was by myself, and could stretch out and imagine the hours away, enjoy whatever breeze came by, "spy" on the neighborhood, read (probably a Nancy Drew mystery), make endless plans in a spiral notebook,...  Dad also secured a rope a few feet out on the lowest sturdy branch. The knotted rope was just long enough that a brother or friend could reach up and throw the end for you to catch as you stood in the crotch of the tree. Then you could swing out as Tarzan, or a pirate, or... 

     We moved at the end of my grade school years. I wonder if the platform and rope were still up when we left.

     Our own kids enjoyed a railed platform that Benny built between some trees. It had a short slide out from one corner, and covered a sandbox. He has also put up various swings for them (and us) in several different trees over the years. One tree in particular earned the title "Swing Tree" for its just right branch, height, and location. That tree is still at the end of our driveway, but sadly the perfect branch on it succumbed a few years ago to too many ice storms.

     My drawing is not of that particular tree, but it's what came out of my pencil. I don't believe this swing goes very high, but it might be just right for some very young ones. The tree is waiting for Spring and their arrival!

Linking with Michael at Scribble Picnic for this week's theme. To view more trees swing over HERE.

Scribble Picnic–Ladder

I keep thinking I'll get something posted between Scribble Picnic Wednesdays, then here it is time again to finish up a new sketch and get it posted. So, before I do that, here's a follow-up on the previous post. You'll be glad to know that it appears that "Little Bunny Foo Foo" has repented of his bad behavior and has been given another chance at being a good hare. I caught him hanging out in our yard this evening, looking quite contrite among our dandelions. (Oh dear, but those do need some serious attention!) No field mice in any apparent danger!

On to the picnic, where we've been thinking about ladders. My first thought was about a "ladder of life," but no, none of us know how tall or short that ladder would be. Maybe a ladder that goes on and on and on...., kind of like the never-ending to-do list that most of us have, but no, too depressing and how would I show that? Or maybe a crazy one that goes up, then over, then slants up, then..., but no, a bit too complicated. Ladders, hmmm... I've certainly been on my fair share of them. Sometimes to change lightbulbs, sometimes to try to clean accumulated grunge from ceilings, many times to hang wallpaper or borders, and numerous times to paint walls and ceilings! So here you have it. A rendition of the trusty folding stepladder, ready to hold a bucket of paint and a painter to add some color to that plain, white wall!

To view more ladders climb on over HERE!

Scribble Picnic–Rabbit

I remember attending a day camp in the 1960s.  I'm sure the leaders put much time and energy into all the fun activities for the day.  About all I remember specifically is learning through song about a little bunny who had a penchant for misbehaving.  When he came to mind this week, thought I would see what he looked like when I put him on paper!

There are some variations of the song, of course, but this is the version I remember. Don't miss the moral of the tale at the end!

Little bunny Foo Foo

Hopping through the forest

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head

Down came the Good Fairy, and she said

"Little bunny Foo Foo

I don't want to see you

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head."

I'll give you 3 chances,

And if you don't behave, I will turn you into a goon!"

Little bunny Foo Foo

Hopping through the forest

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head

Down came the Good Fairy, and she said

"Little bunny Foo Foo

I don't want to see you

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head."

I'll give you 2 more chances,

And if you don't behave, I will turn you into a goon!"

Little bunny Foo Foo

Hopping through the forest

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head

Down came the Good Fairy, and she said

"Little bunny Foo Foo

I don't want to see you

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head."

I'll give you 1 more chance,

And if you don't behave, I will turn you into a goon!"

Little bunny Foo Foo

Hopping through the forest

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head

Down came the Good Fairy, and she said

"Little bunny Foo Foo

I don't want to see you

Scooping up the field mice

And bopping them on the head."

I gave you three chances and you didn't behave....

POOF. She turned him into a Goon.

The moral of the story is:  Hare today, goon tomorrow!

Linking with Michael at Scribble Picnic for this week's theme.
To view more rabbits hop on over here!

Scribble Picnic–Grandfather Clock

Our oldest daughter and grandchildren #1 and #3 have been here for a few days, so I didn't find/take time to get out my drawing pencils. Instead, I dug out the old water color paints left over from our own kids' younger days, and Andrew and I set out to have some fun.

So here you have it–my water color scribble of a grandfather clock! "Where are the numbers?" he wanted to know. I squeezed some in for him, but will stick with this version to post!

I need to change my blog format so I can reply directly to your kind comments. Not sure when that will happen. Perhaps that would also take care of sometimes needing to click on the photos to see them completely. (Lissa, Michael and Wanda, I did reply to your comments last week if you want to go back one post.)

You can check out grandfather clocks created by others here.