Precious Things #3: Transient treasures

Not all my Precious Things are everlasting. Often, the things I treasure most - and display proudly - are those which we've discovered whilst out walking together. Occasionally I bring things in from the garden, too: seed heads or herbs. Other times I'll snip a bit of something to put in water, like rosehips, ferns or pussy willow stems.

These little offerings from the outdoors are short-lived. Some (like shells or stones) last much longer. But there's something appealing about those which are fragile, which will eventually crumble away to dust. Maybe it's because we'll go and replenish our found treasures the following year; that such gifts are by their nature designed to last for just one season.

I spotted the tiny nest a month or so ago. It was at the foot of a little hawthorn and must have been blown down by the wind. It's very delicate and intricately fashioned. The blown quail's eggs are a 'prop', added for Joe's benefit. When he understands the art of being gentle, he can touch and examine. Maybe until then I'll try and find a glass cloche to cover them. Still out of reach, of course.

Just as fragile are these leaves. They're special because Joe chose them when they were still yellow and newly-fallen. He presented me with them - three in total - and it was so sweet that I kept them. They now reside on Gertie's table, next to the clock.

We always collect feathers. I want to find some really unusual ones from a pheasant or similar, and no doubt will one day. They remind me of our walks and are little mementoes of times spent together. I keep them in a jam jar so they can be admired through the glass.

I've entertained the idea of a nature table in the house and it's something I'd like to have once Joe's a bit bigger. I'm not sure whether they have them in classrooms any more but we used to love ours, especially when the tadpoles were sprouting their legs. I may draw the line at living creatures though. Our parents all have ponds inhabited by newts, frogs and various little critters. Some things are better left in their natural habitats (and out of my house).

One thing I've been looking for - and have as yet been unsuccessful - is a skull of some kind. It would be a great thing to study and draw, and no doubt Joe would love the macabre aspect. I'll keep my eyes open, particularly when walking up on the moors. 

The wonderful thing about these kinds of Precious Things: they require finding. You have to get outdoors and notice details and explore. That in itself creates memories and promotes an appreciation of nature, which in turn gives pleasure, a sense of wonder and of wellbeing.

Maybe our passing that on to Joe is a Precious Thing in itself.

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If you'd like to read more Precious Things posts, please visit my fellow bloggers:

Leanne at Today's Stuff

Bea at The Linen Cloud

N at The Creative Academic

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