Here is Report # 2 about garden related memories of my California visit.

My youngest daughter who lives in San Diego is an art teacher K-8 at a charter school there. From her earliest days Mary Shannon has been a collector of “stuff” to use in her craft projects. I was struck during our visit with how she is still using things that you and I might throw away to make interesting and creative objects, not only to teach her students but to create items for home use. In this case I want to share with you two hangings she created for the walls in her back garden.

The first is a whimsical tree made entirely of plastic lids, bottle and aerosol can caps, and tops of different colored magic markers.

In her second hanging I see a flower made of the same materials in a more stylized pattern, a reflection of the amazing geometric organization we see in the detail of many of our favorite flowers. None of these objects has been painted; the colors are the ones they came with.

As a proud father, I know I am prejudiced, so you must forgive me for suggesting that she is a craft genius. I was delighted to see her use of throw-away materials to make wall hangings that add a touch of creativity and inspiration to her garden.

I noticed a collection of paper towel and bath tissue tubes in her garage; I can’t wait to see what she is going to do with them.