Scarecrows, Yard Art and Second Glances
Carole Massey-Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator
Felder Rushing says that some people are natural born scarecrows. Not that I think he means that we stand out in our gardens waving our arms, dressed in tatters and rags, lying in wait for the inevitable munchers to appear. We discourage birds in many different ways, clapping our hands, tying pie pans to strings to blow in the breeze, laying rubber snakes in the rows. We enjoy the response of the unwary, and strive to achieve the second glance and snap-neck look.
All of this leads to other creative endeavors. Having a mischievous streak doesn’t hurt either. The West End Park and Community Garden has been an easel for the creative expression to flow for many Master Gardeners and children from the Miller Center.
The scarecrows and other yard art people made their first public appearances last fall at the West End garden. The tumbler, in his ball cap, sweatshirt and pants, was an instant attraction. The question was; is he right side up or up side down? The Shortts (Mr. And Mrs., so named because they kept sliding down their support post and getting shorter and shorter) and Mr. Greeter (the guy who waved at all the passing cars) also enjoyed a fall debut. Mr. Greeter made a remarkable transformation to “Matilda-the Halloween Witch”, complete with garden grown pumpkins and gourds.
Due to the marvels of nature, the Shortts’ came to be in the family way, or was that a misplaced pumpkin, and “Baby Shortt” made his/her arrival, delivered by wheelbarrow in early Spring 2002.
Other creations have entertained the passersby. The Queen of the May, daintily perched next to the rain gauge on the rail fence, is adorned in an ABC sale frock, with a tiara entwined with Shasta daisies, ribbon and silver stars. She, upon close inspection, is a vision of pine needle loveliness. The West End Princess (see a theme developing here) was once a hard working figure, hoe in hand, whom a rampant hummingbird vine has gradually overtaken. As a matter of fact, her figure has disappeared under the weight of the fine leaf, red flowered, self-seeding, hummer-attracting vine. Both of these ladies are the imaginative efforts of the Miller Center Go-4-It kids.
They also created another vision, but not one of loveliness. If you look closely, you will see another figure swooping under the limbs of the native peach tree in the back of the garden. It may look like the Garden Ghost, and the spirit it brings shakes and rattles along with its’ Mardi-gras beads. It seems to be the rear guard for the grape vines and blueberry patch.
The Shortt family has enjoyed their summer, as do many families, playing in the park. Baby Shortt has her own custom swing and has been rocked by the breezes all summer under the watchful eye of her parents. The resident mockingbirds have been observed hitching a ride on the brim of Baby’s bonnet. So much for the “scare”.
Carole Massey is a Master Gardener Volunteer Class of 1998.