Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Bigger Better Inukshuk

I went back to the river today with my friend, Stevie.  Isn't it amazing how often we take the treasures we live with for granted.  We both confessed that we could count on one hand the number of times we had been on the river...

Again it was peaceful and beautiful.  I really could get lost in the sound of the water and the quiet of the world.

We ate a picnic lunch and climbed on the rocks.  Then, I built a bigger, better inukshuk.  The other one had already been dismantled.

Here he is:

Can you see the face?


I really wanted a Sharpie to add some details.
So, how did these hugenormous rocks get here?  Were they uncovered by the river or were they pushed up from below?  And the time it took to smooth them into the shapes that made my inukshuk.  If you notice from the last post almost all the leaves are gone.

So much balancing...one on another.

Stevie found this rock with ferns and sea shells....
adds to the interest of the whole rock thingy.


Looking back on the walk out.

Through the branches.

Way down there!

And this is witch hazel.  Stevie just taught me about witch hazel.  It blooms two times each year, spring and fall.  Wonder where it got such an interesting name?  Isn't it used in home remedies?  For something?  Is it and essential oil, Rachel?

Tomorrow I have some pictures of Whimsical Woolies to show you!  Oh, yeah.







14 comments:

haybales said...

Enjoyed the afternoon with you down on the river. I need to do more research on the witch hazel. Your inukshuk looks lonely. Perhaps you can create a "friend" next time.

Donna said...

If the inukshuk is there next time I will build him a buddy! Glad you went with me today!

Farida said...

I learned a new word from you today :) "Inukshuk" and yes, I saw the face! I'm sure you had a great time roaming around and listening to the sound of the water. Take care :)

W-S Wanderings said...

Look at you building all of those wonderful inukshuks! Your newest one is a beauty! His face is astounding. Silent but watchful. Perfect.

Yep, Witch Hazel is used as a (mainly) topical herbal remedy for "ouches". We keep a bottle of it close at hand seeing as there are always "ouches" making their appearance in this house full of 5 children and at least one clumsy adult (me).

Rachel said...

Okay. Putting it out there how lame I am. What exactly is an Inukshuk? I can see it's a 'person' made out of rocks but what is it? The story behind them?

WS answered your question about witch hazel. Well, one of the answers. For those of us that are real witches :D we use it for other purposes which we can't tell or we'd have to cut out your tongue and brew it in our cauldrons and then make you drink a potion silencing you for life....... I love you to much to do that to you so just be happy with what WS told you and leave it at that. No more questions okay? I don't want to have to silence you.

Donna said...

I love the out of doors...especially at the change of seasons!

Donna said...

I could have stayed there for a VERY long time building whole families! It is part engineering and part artisty! And it's outside....ahhhh.
So, what part of the witch hazel do you make into the salve? Boil it?

Donna said...

WSW needs to answer this question, too. I know she told me about them before...when the Olympics were up there they featured them. I am thinking that I remember they were markers of some sort in ancient times....seen from the water perhaps.
You crack me up! Gonna start calling you Hazel!

Donna said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuksuk

Here it the wiki story...I see I was spelling it wrong...gotta go edit that out of the blog. Bye.

Donna said...

Oh, maybe it is OK. WSW spelled it the same way. I'm good with that spelling if she is.

Rachel said...

Interesting.... I love finding stuff like this out. Thank you for educating me.

Love,
Hazel :D

K said...

There's always Google, girls. But I will say that I have run into several cultures to whom a small pile of rocks is significant. Jewish people do them on graves of loved ones. One small rock at a time. When you wander in the woods, you make deliberate piles of rocks to show you which turning to take when you come back - they are sort of markers, in all of these things - that a human heart has passed this way, acknowledging their very temporary place in something bigger than themselves. But not making a mark that mars, or that will make an innert place in an elastic system.

They are a gift to those who come later - even if it is ourselves, coming back.

And witch hazel is an ancient cure - horse medicine is probably one of the oldest chemical traditions in the world. You use it in liniments (sp?), I believe, for pulled muscles and strains - for lameness. Worth looking up.

Donna said...

I love that they are temporary probably and organic and part of the landscape. There is a guy who does amazing earth art. Wonder if I can find his stuff again....
Gotta go google now.

Donna said...

I have never known a Hazel before. I think it is my new favorite name.