Falling trees and snow plows according to the story given have been the cause of its dilapidated state. It is entirely too close to my front entry for me to ignore its sad condition. Five new posts were needed and a sixth post needed to be moved inward next to my drive to accommodate the new culvert beneath.
The split rails had been fastened to the post with wire. Black Locust according to the story given is way to hard to drive a nail or spike though. After I had disconnected all the rails from the old fallen posts and dug new holes, we went foraging for new posts. Not a problem in a forest full of trees and Black Locust.
At the end of the day, after much post hole digging and wire twisting a split rail fence re-emerged. From a distance it looks just fine. It should be adequate for fifty mile an hour drive-bys too.
I got plenty new rocks left over from the grading and plenty more just laying about for the using. These rocks must be turned into art. Michelle, my dear, I need a new gate. A real gate of substance for security, black metal and stone, beautiful and artistic, but not over the top, subtle and dignified.
The Rudbeckia hirta is showing up in all kinds of petal colors. There was a major discussion about Gloriosa Daisy, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Cone Flower and Black Eyed Susan and who is who. I went online. Gloriosa Daisy and Black Eyed Susan are both common names for Rudbeckia hirta. This as I am watching and gathering info from the major seed collecting and spreading women who is the driving force behind this mountaintop meadow. She has a method. It makes flowers.
The forest can get a little spooky at the end of the day in the fading light. I can almost see things in there.
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Interesting website:
http://www.naturalstonesculptures.com/index.html
feeling a bit overwhelmed?
Thanks for the link Anon. I certainly have the stones for a Japanese garden. I would lean more towards a blend of Japanese and modern. I was reading a bit in the paper this am about a local welder for my metal part of the gate. An image has begun to appear in my mind.
I am feeling skinny Robin, twelve pounds and counting, gone since the first of May. I need to get a job so I can relax and gain weight.
I was anon, I initially couldn't remember my login, etc.
Relax and gain weight??? You are far too young.
So eat, I would love to.
Wow, Christopher, you did a lot of work today! I can attest they are right about black locust, aren't they?
Tell you what; my daughter is a rising senior in high school and wants to attend college in NC. Think you'll have a nice nursery and display garden whipped into shape by sometime in the next 4 years so I can visit??!! (just teasing).
I love creepy forests - and yes, I think I can see things. When I am home at my parent's place in Virginia, I always keep the windows open in the summer - there are all sorts of sounds, and one's imagination can go wild.
Christopher,
Wowza, you and your family are really putting a lot of thought, care, love and elbow grease into your slice of paradise.
I can now understand why you left the island for this new holistic venture.
I'll dig up some stone columns specifications for your entry gates and either email or post them over on my blog , which hasn't seen much action in the last couple of weeks.
I've been in the hospital for the past 7 days while undergoing major lung surgery ~ spontaneous internal combustion - yeah I know, I'm soooo hot ( eyes rolling & belly shaking ) that my lung completely collapsed.
I'll catch up with you in a few.
Looking E X C E L L E N T !
Michelle I certainly hope your doing better and that this isn't a chronic lung problem. Get better soon.
Sounds like spontaneous pneumothorax (I was a pathologist in my former life); not uncommon in young people and not usually chronic. But the best part was it introduced me to Garden Porn; WOW!
The variations in the American landscape (Hawaii, NC and now California) and the different gardening possibilities just blow my mind. Thanks for so many ideas!
Hi Christopher,
I put together a couple of photographs of some iron work projects.
I think you would really enjoy the artistic endeavor of putting a design together.
Let your inner blacksmith come out .
You might like to check out this link and then order their catalog.
www.jansensupply.com
or google Ferrum Amantibus- the Mother Catalog of all Blacksmithing elements.
Probably the least expensive and the most creative way to craft a fabulous metal gate is to use common tube or square stock steel for your frame and then bend , shape and weld rebar to your frame.
Bev nailed the diagnosis - it was a spontaneous pneumothorax - unfortunately it had happened 4 times in the last month so I had to go in for major surgery and now have 2/3 of my original lung and they found I have emphysema, which is really wild and shocking because I have never smoked in my life except for a joint here and there during my 20's and 30's.
It is some form of rare genetic hereditary emphysema.
I am on the mend though now , unfortunately I have to also get the right side lung also operated on to remove the dead cells , but that won't happen for another several months.
I can't wait to see what you come up with for your entry gate design !
in friendship,
Michelle
duh,
forgot to add to check out my blog for the iron gate info.
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