Winter Damage – Watercolour
A walk in Almondell Park last week revealed how hard the winter storms have been. This huge chestnut tree has always been one of my landmarks and I was saddened to see a huge part of it missing. The foresters had already removed the thick branch and all that was left was a pile of sawdust and, of course, this huge wound – about 6 feet long in this painting. A clue, as to why it had been damaged, might be to examine the part near the top of the wound. Its a large hole which one’s arm can get lost in and looks as if it has been there for many years. Perhaps an owl of some squirrels called this space “home” The tree itself had always looked impregnable to high winds and heavy snow. It actually looks as if it has screwed itself into the ground but I fear it is now in danger as the remaining, large lower limb (to the left) is now “out of balance” having lost the counterweight of the missing one. I have included, here, a photo of this tree in happier times and a sketch I made about 9 years ago which might give some idea how the tree used to be. This is not the only tree to suffer winter damage. The large conifer, next to this chestnut, is uprooted and is lying into the River Almond while the whole wood echoes to the sound of chainsaws. A bit sad really but I suppose its natures way of thinning things.
Crane 6:01 pm on January 31, 2011 | #
I really like this. I love trees but the story and your sketct from nine years ago really gives this tree a character.
I also have a question. I’m new to skineart and I haven’t figured out how to reply to conversations in the “forum”. I’d like to give some of my own ideas to the monthly theme challenge but I can’t seem to be able to. Can you help?
Crane 6:02 pm on January 31, 2011 | #
*sketch
Uncle Bob 3:27 am on February 1, 2011 | #
Firstly, thank you for your kind comments. Anyone who loves trees in near the top of my list (you may have noticed trees appear in most of my posts)
The comments you wish to add should be quite easily done. Just go to the “Forum” (The “forum button” in is the middle of the horizontal list at the top of this page). When you get there you will need to find the thread to which ideas can be added. (MONTHLY THEME CHALLENGE) This might be a problem as its rarely used and has gravitated downwards off the visible part of this list of topics. I have just noticed that doing a search for this only takes you to the list of previous challenges which might be confusing for some folks. Alternatively, follow this link which will get you to the correct thread :
http://www.skineart.com/forums/topic.php?id=64
If all else fails, say sometime in the future when you may have forgotten all of this, just put your ideas as a reply in the monthly announcement, in this case,
http://www.skineart.com/forums/topic.php?id=242
I scrutinise the forum entries regularly and should pick this up. You will see if I have done so as I always acknowledge folks who kindly send in suggestions.
If all of this has confused you, please get back to me – just add a comment in one of my posts like your initial question, and I’ll try another way. Regards Bob
Crane 2:41 pm on February 1, 2011 | #
Thank you so much! Well I’ve found the thread but when I click reply at the bottom of the page it takes me to the end of the thread and offers no place for me to write. Is there a box that should show up?
Uncle Bob 4:37 pm on February 1, 2011 | #
Hi Crane. Sorry you are having so much trouble. Can’t figure out what’s going on. When you click on the thread you must go to the end to access the box to type in. It should look something like this (Ignore the red arrow. That’s my mistake):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28475994@N00/5408365019/
You should get the text box and after you add your stuff just click the “send post” at the right hand side. If this doesn’t work we will have to get Leo, who runs the website, to figure this one out. Don’t worry. These things happen. It will probably work itself out. Just add your ideas in this post and I’ll put them in “The jar” – Bob
Crane 8:14 pm on February 1, 2011 | #
When I click on Reply the text box doesn’t come up at all for me. :/ Oh well. Thanks for all your help though, I really appreciate it!
Well anyway, here are a few random ideas for “The Jar”:
-The contents of a trashcan
-To infinity and beyond
-On the other side of the looking glass
-What’s cooking?
-A sticky situation
-What’s the difference?
-It’s raining cats and dogs
-Handbook
Uncle Bob 3:28 am on February 2, 2011 | #
Can’t figure out what going wrong but thanks for these ideas. They are now in “the jar”. There are about 250 ideas there so you can work out the odds of being drawn at the end of the month.
Perhaps you should either try again later, to see if you can access the box in that thread. Alternatively, if this is getting to you (it would drive me nuts) then start a new thread with something like “Problems accessing …….” Leo will pick this up and should be able to figure out a solution. Whatever you do, please don’t give up. The forum threads are important, the main reason for starting the Challenge was to encourage folks to read the forum threads. Its important that everyone can access them. Good luck – Bob
Uncle Bob 3:29 am on February 2, 2011 | #
PS If you still can’t access ANY forum thread, or start a new one, let me know and I’ll post one to alert Leo.
Shahrazad 8:39 am on February 2, 2011 | #
Hey there guys, FYI, I’ve always had this problem and it has yet to be resolved.