Posts Tagged ‘creativity’

Anyone here ever get to an ocean beach?
If so, one that has BELL KELP washed ashore?

For those that don’t know this kelp, it has a big “ball” on one end, the stem goes to a “point” at the other.

It’s edible, but that’s not why I’m writing this.  IT MAKES AN EXCELLENT “Deep FOG HORN” SOUND!

Small ones higher pitched.  The bigger the deeper.

All are “3-pitched.”  The more you blow (harder) into it, it changes the tone.  Aho?

To make, all you need is a knife:
Cut the “ball” half off (leaving a “horn” “mouth”).
Go to the small end and start cutting that end towards “horn” end.  SMALL sections at a time…’til you hit HOLLOW within.  Now, at that hollow inner,  begin getting it bigger ’til that hollow can fit your pursed-up lips, then Leave it there (like blowing on a Trumpet).

ALL SET.  BLOW!

The sound will amaze you.

Once, my brother and I were out in a small aluminum boat in Puget Sound.  In the SHIPPING channel.  BIG Ships passing by.  Our little 14-footer just a piece of flotsam to those guys.  Aho?

Well, FOG SET IN.  My brother Jim looked for his bottle Air Horn (Carried for just this type of situation).  HADN’T BROUGHT IT!
He was Worried (rightfully so).
We were trolling for salmon and now “Fog Locked”. Could take 2-4 hours for the fog to lift.
As we were trolling I had noticed riptides here and there.  MOST CARRIED THIS BELL KELP.
I told Jim, “Watch for rips, Jim, and cruise along it, I’ll show you something.  Nature provides If you “know.”  Wasn’t long before I had a kelp aboard.

Jim was perplexed.  “WHY?”

“You’ll see in a minute,” I told him.

Knife in hand and about 6 minutes later I was done.  Raised the “Horn” end and blew into the other.  YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE A BATTLE WAGON!  DEEP and LOUD!

No ship problem.  Never got any salmon but DID make it safely through the fog.

I was at a Family Reunion, walking the beach with M and C and M’s dad.  Walked to the shoreline, and got a “horn.”  Cut it and began blowing it “3-pitch.”  Beach had MANY strollers.  All turned to see.

Father-in-law intrigued…wife and daughter too….so I got them one.  Different lengths.  All 4 of us now a “musical band” as we walked.
2 men approached.  Asked “HOW DO YOU DO THAT?”   Showed ’em and they got their own and whittled away.  Me “supervising.”
Turns out they were both Horn Blowers from a Big City California orchestra….out on vacation.  They got to wondering… WHITTLED FINGER HOLES ON THE STEAM, and LO!  Had “REAL” Horns!  One TUBA and one TROMBONE!  Man, could THEY PLAY!  FanTASTIC!

So, any ever get to the beach…………………………

Enjoy.    GB   re
(Next to GOD, KNOWLEDGE IS KING).  Ho

(WS)

Not at all sure any here will be interested.  As all know, I’m building a mini “hobbit hut.”  I still have lots of “stuff” to go on and complete more…such as another hut with bathroom, etc.
Still, “stuff” about.  HUGE STUMPS, STONES, etc.  These I intend to incorporate into the wall of #2.
Our property here is DRY.  Sage country. Water hard to come by.  Aho?
I came across an article on a gal (landscape designer) in California.  She too has “problems.” NOW DOESN’T!  Has made a “Magical Meadow” by using rocks, etc. AND IT LOOKS GREAT!
She’s “right up my alley” in REASON of doing.
She DOES have water and now uses Far FAR LESS. Now a “backyard Paradise.”

With my mini in THIS type of setting….WOW!  And I do NOT NEED water to do so.  NOR the MONEY she used to do so.  YOU CAN TOO!

When I started building I started with stone steps up the slope to the entry.  WITH LANDSCAPING IN MIND, as I could.
Her doing on her land an INSPIRATION to me.

With SALVAGED Material and Time…if interested, YOU CAN TOO!

Due to water unavailability I long ago decided to “plant” Plastic “Flowers,” tucked here-n-there in stone “piles.” Wanting to turn a mystical area between Freeway and Side Road.  Getting rid of the “junk” as I go.  This li’l Earth Dome in “her” type “setting” will, in time BE DONE. (My intent anyway…and always  has been).  Aho?
Anyway,  http://www.susansilva.com   if interested.  GB   re

(WS)