Friday, February 26, 2010

By the light which defines them


My father used to pick up pine cones while he hiked looking for birds. I don't know what recommended certain pine cones for transport back to our house. Among the thousands along his path a few came back and tended to end up on dresser tops and mantle pieces. I will admit to being partial to them in the same way.

He also picked up the odd bird feather, stone or seashell. All that looking at the ground for things to pick up, it's a wonder he ever saw the birds he claimed to be looking for. Maybe his neck hurt from looking up in the sky so much and scanning the ground below was a nice change of pace.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

we collected and dried pine cones to use to start warm winter fires, make wreaths and baskets and if were lucky the resin would crystalize and we would use it as insense when burning pine needles ;)..thank you for sharing your memories..