The Making of a "Herodactyl"!

   After any storm that pushes the tide up in the yard, I sort through the debris.  Anything such as bottles, cans and plastics are bagged and put to the end of the lane for roadside pickup.  Large pieces of wood and boards are pulled and stacked for reuse.  The marsh grass, leaves and small twigs are mulched for the gardens and pathways.  Through all of the cleanup, I am searching...searching for anything that can be reused, recycled or repurposed.  It takes a bit of imagination sometimes but it does put an interesting spin on an otherwise tedious chore.  Lately, driftwood has been deemed a "find"!

  Back in December, I had the bright idea to create a driftwood heron sculpture as a gift for my brother.  He had made the statement that he did not "need" anything to put in his house as there was already too much stuff in it.  I can fully understand his plight as I feel the same way about the Little Bayou House.  Well, that statement got me to thinking about creating something he could leave outside.  So...the driftwood heron popped into the brain.  Admittedly, my attempt was feeble in comparison to the fine works of true driftwood artists but my brother seemed tickled over his odd critter sculpture.  Son said it looked more like a pterodactyl so he smashed the two names together and said I created the very first "herodactyl"   Heron and pterodactyl are names that need to be smashed, I guess.  So Herodactyl became a thing.

  This afternoon as Son was working on the pier, I spied some odd driftwood pieces near the shore.  Knowing I cannot get down along the shoreline to retrieve them, I had to use a bit of ingenuity involving a long pole and a broken scoop net.  It worked!  I now have the makings of a new sculpture!  Perhaps since arthritis is dulling the use of my hands for fine work, these larger pieces will satisfy the craving to create.  I am not sure what the driftwood pieces will become but I am sure it will have a fine name from Son!  Create, folks!  Don't fret if it is not museum worthy...just create!  It is good for the brain.