Eudora Welty's photo of bottle tree

This photograph by Welty, of a home in Simpson County, reflects a folk belief that "bottle-trees" — trees on whose limbs bottles have been placed — will trap evil spirits that might try to get in the house. Welty used bottle trees in her short story "Livvie," which was set near the Old Natchez Trace, a famous colonial "road" used by Indians, merchants, soldiers, and outlaws between Natchez and Nashville, Tennessee. This photograph, like many others taken by Welty during her work for the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, appears in One Time, One Place: Mississippi in the Depression: A Snapshot Album (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1996).

Origin of the Bottle Tree & More Photos

The first photo was taken in 2007 in Milano, Texas and is the framework and beginning of a bottle house. I'm not sure if was finished, but intend to check into it. The second photo is, I believe, an older bottle tree, but I can't remember where I found it... so not sure of location. I'm not sure why, but I cannot seem to get the photos to post where I want them... but I suppose this works too. Following is an excerpt from wikipedia giving a brief history of the bottle tree.

The Origin of the Bottle Tree
Bottle trees have their roots in Congo culture. The practice was brought over by slaves who hung blue bottles from trees and huts as talismans to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that the spirits are dazzled by the colors of the bottles in the sun. Once they enter the bottle, they can't find their way out, much like flies. It is just as well, as they would prefer to remain intoxicated by the colorful prisms of color created by the interplay with the sun than wandering about haunting people.According to Wikipedia, "Glass 'bottle trees' orginated in Northern Africa during a period when superstitious people believed that a genii or imp could be captured in a glass bottle. Legend had it that empty glass bottles placed outside the home could "capture" roving (usually evil) spirits at night, and the spirit would be destroyed the next day in the sunshine. This practice was taken to Europe and North America by African slaves. While Europeans adapted them into hollow glass spheres known as "witch balls" the practice of hanging bottles in trees became widespread in the Southern states of North America, where they continue to be used today as colorful garden ornaments.Bottle trees have been featured as accessories in most of the prestigious flower show garden displays all over the world.Additionally, glass bottles, which have long been placed in windows for color ("poor man's stained glass"), are also commonly used to line flower beds."Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottle_tree

Bottle Trees and Mosaic Yard Art

I tried to set up a photo montage of bottle trees... got it set up three times, but always had html error messages... so I've given up for the night... and, instead, I'll just post a few photos of bottle trees. These are not from my yard, though I wish they were... I've collected enough blue bottles to create a decent blue bottle tree which I hope to complete this summer. Gotta find just the right dead tree... or perhaps I'll have someone weld one for me.

Vintage Snowman Collection

I don't have photos of all the snowman collection... but here are the ones I have online. Most are vintage 40's thru 60's with one reproduction.

I believe I am finally realizing gardening probably isn't gonna be one of my strong suits any longer. Although I'm still managing without the 'nose hose' most days, lugging stuff around the yard, digging, etc probably isn't gonna be worth using ALL my energy... I suppose if I saw any sort of results even half worthy of my expended effort perhaps I'd be more encouraged... I swear it looks like a big mess of unrelated objects/plants/garden art, etc with no plan. I think I'll just get the entire yard straightened up (by the gardener) and concentrate my efforts efforts toward keeping the three patio areas neat with a few plants and comfortable seating areas on each one. I've already planted several tubs (old wash tubs) and a wine barrel plus several other large pots toward the back fence so I'll at least keep those watered. The gardener guy will be here Tuesday to dig a small (4'x8') garden, but it is a community effort (neighbors don't have yard space for a garden) and my responsibility will be mainly keeping it watered. I've already bought soaker hoses dedicated only to that area so that shouldn't be too difficult.

My great niece & nephew (ages 5 & 6) were here for a few hours yesterday with their new puppy... what a riot they are... all tumbling legs, toys, puppies, and food.... what one doesn't think of the other does and the pup seems to be a fast learner as he is right in the middle of all their antics. They've already taught him a few tricks... he absolutely refuses to go outside to potty until they give him a treat! Too cute... he'll stand at the door waiting for the treat... then run out to piddle. He's a little dolly and I must admit to having a touch of puppy fever while he was here... but... not ready yet. I think of Gertie every day and I still think I hear her at the door or in another room. Sometimes when I'm at my desk I think I see her in my peripheral vision... she usually stayed right at my feet but she had one little hidey-hole spot in my office where she liked to snooze... I've removed her bed from that corner. I so wish I could just give her one more big hug and see those beautiful brown eyes.

Anywhoooo... enough of that. I spent several hours washing bird bath saucers and preparing places to set them up... I put one just outside the kitchen window by the table so I'll have a close-up view of the birds. Last year they had a nest in the lemon tree and I've seen them investigating this spring. Gertie scared the be-jeebers outta them last year and they actually abandoned the nest shortly after the babies hatched. It was too tall to see if the babies were still in the nest... and I was never positive the parents actually left... but I sure didn't see them around much. For months they'd dive-bomb poor Gert... she couldn't even piddle without one or the other swooping down and threatening to peck her behind. She seemed to ignore them ... until she'd hear the baby birds chirping. Thankfully she could not get near any of the nests or birdhouses, but... oh my goodness, the racket she could make... actually shaking the tree at one time! I'd planned to fence off that entire area this year to keep her in the other end of the yard until they'd had all their babies and taught them to fly. I cleaned several of the birdhouses recently and I've seen activity in and out but cannot tell if they're building nests. I'm afraid if I get too close or try to look inside the houses they might be frightened away.... so am just letting nature take her course. One morning last week I saw the fattest bluejay I've ever seen... that sucker looked like a small turkey! (and I'm only exaggerating a teensy bit!). Since bluejays can be very difficult about their territory I'm kinda hoping they nest next door... I'd hate to have that kamikaze bird dive bombing for my head!

So... now I've figured out how to FIND my goofy blog... perhaps I'll post more often. I created it more than a month ago and then could never figure out how to find it... I thought it had gone to that great hard drive in the sky... then quite by accident I found it this morning. Now I must figure out how to use a digital camera, download photos, and post them... lordy, this is like returning to school. I doubt I'll ever catch up with the digital revolution... WHERE are my crayons?