We live in an 1860 home that has no air conditioning. While for 35 years it has been perfect for us, we have been “uncomfortable” at times when the temperature reaches 90 degrees. And often our guests are just plain HOT.

A few years ago, while on vacation in Lewes, Delaware, we found an old fashioned bathtub. The kind with feet. We already had one like it that came with the farm and had been used as a horse watering station. Finding a second one to match was a miracle!

We placed them on an old concrete slab from an ancient structure next to the Healing Herb Garden. When it gets really hot we fill them up with cool, clear well water. And when the time is right to hop in for a cool, refreshing dip we are ready! We have the tubs facing the setting sun and usually have a nice cool drink ready to enhance the experience. Everyone laughs when they see the tubs, but only when you actually get in can you truly realize just the refreshing experience!

“Color Me Happy”

In the spring of 2009, I visited the Montpelier Art Center in Laurel, Maryland. I was in the process of trying to get our Elemental Beauty copper water fountains into a new art show that was up-coming. This was the first time I saw Alonzo Davis’ bamboo art structure. I was so impressed with its magnificence that I attempted to contact Alonzo. Unfortunately, the connection was never made in person however my love of his art never waned.

I was determined to create a bamboo structure of my own for our Sanctuary. The original plan was to invite friends and family to participate in the construction and preparation of various sized bamboos that we were fortunate to harvest from our own stand of bamboo. Friends were reluctant and did not respond to the call. Family smiled and said go for it “mom”. So I did. Little by little, pole by pole it started to manifest in my mind. I used inexpensive paints from the arts and crafts projects done in years past. Friends donated “extra” stuff that they no longer used. There was no theme. No color scheme just the creative process that works once the vision is in one’s mind. No one saw what I saw even after my sharing Alonzo’s photos of his works.

Eventually, my grandchildren helped, although they were somewhat reluctant. One dear friend, Cheryl, helped me get started and kept her artistic juices flowing until the very end. Thanks to all who did help me make this an actual dream come true.

Once the poles were decorated and I had enough to start hanging, then the actual location of the structure was a stumbling block. Everyone was waiting and here I was still thinking where to put it. Then, suddenly, it came to me to make the Healing Tub area more attractive. We used the tubs several times throughout the hot summer, why not put it there?

Then I needed help with the structural soundness of the project. All that work could not just fall down when the snow came. Smiling Bear, aka Aristotle, came to the rescue. Then we were off and decorating. When it was completed, it needed a name. While standing in the kitchen window area, it came to me, “Color Me Happy” sounded in my soul.

Thanks for sharing this latest addition to Sanctuary. Come by and help create new poles. Now that it is up and everyone can see my version of working with bamboo, kindred spirits are asking if they can still make a pole. The answer is a resounding “yes”! Please come share your creative talents in this unique, one of a kind work of art. It is literally a work- in- progress.

Special thanks always to Alonzo Davis for his inspiration for this art project. Bamboo is truly a worthy opponent and one that deems respect and care when working with it. Come by and see for yourself –I promise it will make you smile.

11/9/10