A TRUE STORY- FOR COLLECTORS OF PRIVET
Posted: January 26th, 2009, 9:13 am
This is a story that appears in my book "BONSAI RAMBLINGS" and I thought I would share it with the forum
THE COST OF PRIVET & THE VALUE OF LIFE!
To what lengths does the bonsai enthusiast go, to obtain that elusive masterpiece?
One of our club members who shall remain nameless, relayed to me some events that happened during his most recent ‘Privet Dig’ and I thought that the story should be shared.
His secret location for obtaining cow-eaten, mature privet is an extremely steep mountainous region, so armed with mattock, axe and chronic sore back he climbs the slopes, digging out suitable material along the way.
Realizing that the trees are drying out considerably, he decides to descend the slopes dragging one or two trees at a time until he reaches the creek at the bottom into which he places the trees. This process means quite a few trips up and down the steep slope.
When placing the last tree in the water he slips on the muddy bank and finds himself up to his ears in muddy water.
Dripping wet and still cursing, he decides to continue, as he still requires a couple more trees before filling his trailer and heading home.
He picks up his axe and mattock, takes a few steps and is confronted by a metre long black snake. Suffering a panic attack (I cleaned that up) and not knowing whether to attack the snake with the axe, the snake finally decides that it is the more scared and heads off into the scrub.
Being a true believer to the end and being totally undeterred he decides that there are a couple of nice privet prospects in the next paddock, so heads up the slope again.
Still wringing wet and with the adrenalin still pumping through his veins he climbs through the dividing fence and you guessed it – ELECTRIC !!
As this was the last straw, our intrepid adventurer makes his way to the homestead to thank and farewell the property owners. At the gateway to the house paddock a rather large dog happily accepts pats from our still wet adventurer.
That is until he reaches the verandah at which time the dog decides to latch on to his hand.
Dave K....TRUE STORY
THE COST OF PRIVET & THE VALUE OF LIFE!
To what lengths does the bonsai enthusiast go, to obtain that elusive masterpiece?
One of our club members who shall remain nameless, relayed to me some events that happened during his most recent ‘Privet Dig’ and I thought that the story should be shared.
His secret location for obtaining cow-eaten, mature privet is an extremely steep mountainous region, so armed with mattock, axe and chronic sore back he climbs the slopes, digging out suitable material along the way.
Realizing that the trees are drying out considerably, he decides to descend the slopes dragging one or two trees at a time until he reaches the creek at the bottom into which he places the trees. This process means quite a few trips up and down the steep slope.
When placing the last tree in the water he slips on the muddy bank and finds himself up to his ears in muddy water.
Dripping wet and still cursing, he decides to continue, as he still requires a couple more trees before filling his trailer and heading home.
He picks up his axe and mattock, takes a few steps and is confronted by a metre long black snake. Suffering a panic attack (I cleaned that up) and not knowing whether to attack the snake with the axe, the snake finally decides that it is the more scared and heads off into the scrub.
Being a true believer to the end and being totally undeterred he decides that there are a couple of nice privet prospects in the next paddock, so heads up the slope again.
Still wringing wet and with the adrenalin still pumping through his veins he climbs through the dividing fence and you guessed it – ELECTRIC !!
As this was the last straw, our intrepid adventurer makes his way to the homestead to thank and farewell the property owners. At the gateway to the house paddock a rather large dog happily accepts pats from our still wet adventurer.
That is until he reaches the verandah at which time the dog decides to latch on to his hand.
Dave K....TRUE STORY
