Saturday, November 27, 2010

ginkgo bilboa

The Ginkgo tree is considered a living fossil. It is one of the oldest living tree species. One tree can live for 1000 years and grow to 120 feet. The leaves are used in herbal medications.

Willow mentioned on her blog that she had a ginkgo tree in her yard. I asked her if she would send me some leaves when/if she had time. I soon received this lovely bag of wonderful ginkgo leaves. Arent they beautiful? Thank you Willow.

Yesterday I went to two open studios on the Putney Craft Tour. Noriko Isogai carves wood into beautiful objects. In her cosy studio I found ginkgo leaf earrings. How could I resist. The round object is a mirror. We talked about the ginkgo leave and also fruit. Although I read on-line that the fruit is inedible and seeds are poisonous, Noriko said that in China they crack the fruit open and use the seeds for healing.

Today my friend Old Pajamas is loading my storage unit boxes and furniture into a 14 foot van and driving up here with them, a 5 hour drive by car, perhaps longer via a van. I was going to hire a moving company to do this, then he volunteered. I am enormously grateful for this generous offer. So, late this afternoon, I will be unloading the truck, along with my son. Then all of me will be in one place. Tomorrow we will return the truck and may go on some open studio tours. Monday he will take the bus back to Cape Cod.

19 comments:

Umā said...

Wow, Suki, that's a big decision, and I think it's a good one. How exciting it will be to open those boxes again. I hope you'll show us some of your treasures.

Speaking of treasures, these wood carvings are amazing!

Marion said...

I once owned a Ginkgo Tree. I miss it every year when the leaves turn...I made wreaths out of them.I actually still have a few dried ones, but not enough, sigh! They are lovely.

I think you've made a great decision to open all your boxes and have your treasures surrounding you again. They are such a huge part of your life and your memories. Can't wait to see some of them!!

Annie said...

What a wonderful friend Old Pj is!
The ginkgo leaves are beautiful.
Have fun with all your stuff which will seem new after such a long time! xoxo

sukipoet said...

just a note. I will not exactly open my boxes. I still havent accepted Mom's house as mine. they will be stacked in the breezeway, workshop and barn.

Teri said...

I haven't been here in awhile but it sounds like you house hunting venture is almost over. I am so happy for you.

Those ginkgo leaves are just awesomely beautiful. I may need to try and find some.

Robin said...

I loved those Ginko leaves at first sight...(before I read what you wrote) and immediately thought of all the art you can use them in...then - those earrings! You must take a photo of you wearing them! They will look beautiful with your hair and eyes! The mirror is lovely as well.

It will be a good thing to have all your belongs close by.... makes it easier in the Spring...

"OP" is such a good person.... I am glad he is a part of your life.

Enjoy these next few days! I hope you weather is clear....

Love the P.D. James films (and for that fact, her books)...my Father was a fan)... that particular one is especially good!

Love to you and Bibbity,

♥ Robin ♥

marianne said...

I am in love with ginko trees and leaves as well!
As a kid my teacher showed us one on our way to gymnastics and told us how special this tree was. We were only allowed to pick one leave.......
This made such a big impression on me as a kid that this tree always has something special and magical for me.

And YES how could you resist those earrings!!!! It is a sign.

Good to have all your things in one place . Makes it easy to move everything in one time? ;)
Just kidding....

Have a nice weekend. Enjoy your company and own things and what wonderful friends!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You will feel like it is Christmas opening all of those boxes.

Ginko leaves are marvelous. Ginko fruit stinks realllly bad when it starts to rot. I know this because there is a female tree in a park where we walk Luna and when I forget and walk through the fruit it gets in my shoe treads and smells worse than dog do do.
Love those earrings and mirror.

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Funny, how so many love Ginkgo leaves...me, too. They are kind of ancient and 'zen' to me. Love the earrings! I am weeding through boxes myself, trying to have 3 boxes of donatables twice a month, so I can 'simplify' and only keep what is used often. Am I preparing to move? (not any time soon I hope)...die (ditto, but I do think of the job someone would have coming into my house and even figuring out who is who among the cats). I hope to start the new year with zest to continue 'simplifying' and therefore having more time for friends and adventures...I feel a lot of adventures are also ahead for you, Suki and enjoy reading of what you are up to and happy for your dependable friendship with OP, too.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

What a lovely Friend OP is.. It sounds like you have dedided you will be staying in that area and not going back to the Coast to live. This is a first big step for you. I hope it opens the door to more permanent steps for you. Love those leaves. Not sure I have ever seen one in person.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

oops.. decided.. not dedided. lol

studio lolo said...

I love ginko leaves as well. It must be something special that resonates with artists ;)

I'm not sure if you ordered my "tea and ginko" card or if it was one I just chose to send you, but I'm pretty sure you have one.

How wonderful of OP! I know he's an old, dear friend. I'm excited about your reunion with your Cape Cod boxes. You never know Suki, maybe on a long, cold NH night you'll end up going through them.

Whatever you choose to do, you have my blessings.

~xo♥~

Lynn Cohen said...

The leaves are beautiful. I wonder what art you will make with them. The photo of them is beautiful art already.

The earrings and mirror are lovely too. Not heavy I hope?

Nice that you now have your things all in one place. Are you still house hunting?

San said...

Some time ago I represented a painter who often placed gingko leaves in her paintings--just one or two drifting in the air, inside a room. Thank you for making me think of that.

Enjoy unveiling your old, familiar things, seeing them in a new light. How exciting!

Anonymous said...

Oh, you will be all in one place! That is significant. Hmmm. O.P. is a true friend!

BTW, I think you mean "biloba."

~Babs said...

I love that mirror.
So glad your things will be with you, whether 'at home' or not. It will feel good to you, just not feeling scattered about.
Old Pajamas is a wonderful friend. I'm glad you have him in your life.

kj said...

maybe one of those boxes will be your christmas present to yourself. :)

snow on the ground now, suki?
i'm not yet ready...

love
kj

Katiejane said...

How wonderful to have all of your things back with you!! I know this must be an enormous relief in itself. I wish you nothing but happiness in your future. It will all come together in time. Just be open and receptive and it will come.
Have fun visiting with OP.

Tess Kincaid said...

I'm glad you're enjoying the ginkgo leaves, Suki! It was a pleasure sending them to you, my friend. Every time you mention Old Pajamas, it makes me smile.