Drying Time

Not much to talk about. I will have to stay in this building until I dry. Sometimes it takes weeks for this to happen. It’s boring, but it has to be done for me to become the best I can be. I thought you might enjoy an interesting fact about some of my future friends.

Latvians believe that Father Christmas brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve. Usually the presents are put under the family Christmas tree. (What a good idea to spread Christmas out longer!) It was in Latvia that the first Christmas tree was decorated. The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown peas with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage.

This is a rather abstract Santa from the mind of an artistic 3 year old.

A New Look

A lot has happened since we last talked. The day after our last visit was a very important day for my friends and me. The big man put us in a large metal container filled with water. He then placed the container over a large fire. As the steam began to rise, I could feel the rough bark that covered me loosen. When we were taken out, the big man and his wife began to pull the bark off. Instead of a looking rough I now have a smooth membrane covering. They washed us with a special solution and placed us back into our temporary home. Here are some pictures of how we look now.



Mr Van Hays boiling cypress knees

A cypress knee still in the bark.

One cypress knee ready to begin the drying process, and one still wearing his coat of bark.

And Finally! The Santa of the week!

Going for a ride!

The big man put all of us in the back of his truck and took us to his house. It is on the edge of the swamp and I heard him say that the house was over 100 years old. That must be old for a house but not for a cypress knee. We grow about ¼ inch per year, so many of my larger friends are 150 years old. The house has a building out back and the big man placed us into a large room to wait a while. It’s kind of dark but I like it here. Later.

If you have young ones who would like to send us a picture they have drawn of Saint Nick, Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  We would love to use it as our "Santa of the week." Thanks.

Moving out of the Swamp

It was quiet last night but there seems to be something different in the air. I can hear far away voices. I recognize the big man’s sound but there are others with him. There is also a whirring noise. I can see them now. The big man and two others are pulling a jon boat behind the bateau. Sometimes they will get out and the whirring sound starts. Suddenly the sound stops and one of my cypress knee friends is taken and placed in the second boat. They are getting closer. I hope the big man sees me. They stop in front of me and get out of the bateau. The sound starts and before you know it, I am in the boat with my friends. As we start out of the swamp, I realize that this is the beginning of my great adventure. That’s all for now. I won’t know where I’m going until I get there.

More from the Swamp

Were you able to pick me out? I am the good looking one in the middle. Just kidding. Many people make interesting things out of us. Some of my friends have become lamps and clocks. I don’t know how long l will remain in the swamp. I heard the big man say that he was coming back to get some of us. I hope he takes me. I like the swamp but I know there are greater things in my future. Maybe this will be the year I get to leave. I wonder what it will be like. We’ll talk later.