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The Garnished Stick


I am one of those people who picks stuff up off the ground.  Pennies?  Sure!  But, I’m more interested in odd items that others would likely consider garbage.  On our recently traveled 2400 mile road trip, we had to stop a number of times (potty breaks are a definite must when traveling with four legged companions) and treasures were keenly discovered in a variety of elevations!  Colored glass fragments, bottle caps (rusty and not), a lock washer (thanks Russ!), black bullet cases, a chain link fence remnant (ya, really) etc, etc. 




After seeing us return from hiking the nearby hills every morning with the dogs during our visit, the dear and delightful Doris bestowed unto me this particular cholla stick she had discovered on a camping trip about 15 years ago in Ajo, Arizona and reconfigured into a walking stick! I loved the shape of it as well as the fact that it is lightweight and flexible!  Desert living is a little foreign to me and the dreaded cholla plant is definitely not native to my area/world/life.  They had carefully sanded all of the spiky needles off and, not wanting the desert sun to disintegrate it, they had covered it heavily with a colored varathane as well. Zeke had been resourceful enough to add a rubber foot to make it perfect for stomping through any type of terrain! What a treasure!!

If you spend any time in the great outdoors, you know that wild animals can lurk behind bushes, trees, tall grasses, big rocks or boulders and the likes.  One way to avoid a possible tangle is by making noise!  Talking &  laughing as you walk along, breathing heavily (hey, you’re hiking, right?)  - that's the type of noise that animals generally tend to avoid.  What if you were hiking by yourself?  I suppose you could talk and laugh aloud with yourself, but most likely that won't be happening?  SO, since I have been known to hike by myself, I decided to add a few trinkets onto it.  Thus the transformation began!

I knew that in order for the unusual texture of the cactus wood to peek through, it needed to be sanded ever so lightly.  I wanted to maintain the original color thus paying homage to the original owners, but this was mine now and I needed to add a different flavor.  Adding the unexpected roadside items from the trip just seemed like the right (and fun) thing to do.

I wrapped the bigger pieces of colored glass with wire (couldn’t find the diamond drill bit) and I drilled a few holes in the cactus legs.  


I had a cherished bracelet that was worn and tarnished but I’ve not been able to give it up yet, so I drilled a couple of holes through that, too.

With heavy gauge fencing wire (nope, not the chain link remnant), I attached the bracelet, wrapped wire glass fragments and my bottle cap/lock nut combo.  
Ta Da!  My new garnished stick!!  
Now when I go on hikes I won’t have to be concerned with making noise... the trinkets clink softly, but loudly enough for an animal to steer clear!

Until we meet again!  Happy Trails to YOU!!

S.






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