Tag Archives: writing

Where The Wardrobe Lives

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This year, for the holidays, we decided to build a Christmas village. I intended to add only a lighted lamp post, but as usual there was more to the story.

As we searched a couple of hobby stores, I also saw some dollhouse furniture. Then it hit me… I needed to build a wardrobe, with a scene in it from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis.

As you can see, the scene shows a child holding onto a lamp post, with a castle in the distance and a snowy backdrop. The child, Lucy, has actually found that the wardrobe not only holds coats, but is also a portal to another world… ‘Narnia.’

So I did buy the lamp post, but also wound up buying a doll house wardrobe too, which was much larger than I wanted, thus the project began.

The wardrobe had four doors and was too tall. I decided to cut it in half, remove the shelves, and once cut, reinstall two of the doors, and glue on the top piece. Once the glue cured, I cut an opening in the back of the wardrobe. The wardrobe now measured 4″W x 4″H x 2″L. Surprisingly, for balsa wood, it turned out pretty well.

I needed a stage to go behind the wardrobe. I fashioned about a 3″ long stage from a piece of scrap wood, and curved the back end, where the scene would be attached. I added a clothes hanger pole, and temporarily attached a black and white image of the scene to get an idea of what the front view would look like.

At this point, I knew that only ‘back lighting’ was needed to illuminate the scene image. I no longer needed interior stage lighting, which I was happy about.

I added sides to the stage, and cut out an opening in the back to attach the scene. Once that was completed, I painted the inside with spray on Christmas tree snow.

While building this project, I began to think how interesting it would be to design and build special effects for theater or film companies. Ah, “Perchance to Dream,” which of course I did. I envisioned myself as a ‘Props Master’ working for Lucas Films. Wow, now that’s a dream – I mean, why dream small!

Of course, I needed some clothes to hang in the wardrobe. I found a picture of doll clothes on the web, and cut to size. I formed coat hangers, hooks really, and hung up the clothes. I also attached the final ‘color’ scene image, and added footprints in the snow.

I decided that adding the wardrobe to the village, the wardrobe itself needed a name. Every village needs a theater, thus the ‘Wardrobe Theater.’ I found a picture on the web of a marquee, and made the topper for the wardrobe.

I was very happy with the end result. I had a lot of fun designing and building this project. It turned out to be a wonderful addition to our Christmas village!

This is…”Where The Wardrobe Lives.”

Happy Holidays to All!

Let’s Go Lizard Fishin’

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A few months ago, I was sitting outside in the shade, next to the patio fountain. It was very hot, and I started thinking about how nice it would be sitting next to a shimmering, cool, blue lake, with my bare feet and fishing pole in the water.

Suddenly, I saw a quick movement along the gray-block retaining wall. It was a young lizard, working its way towards a fly. We have a lot of lizards in our backyard, from mini (about 1″ long) to large (about 5″ long).

I watched that lizard for about 30 minutes. Out of about 8 attempts, he finally got a fly. I admired his determination. Of course, hunger is a major driving force in nature.

Then, one of my ‘crazy‘ ideas hit me. Back in college, I was hiking in the local hills looking for plant specimens for my biological illustration class. I sat down near a mossy rock, and a Blue Belly lizard appeared, not more than an arm’s length away from me.

He just stayed put, with an occasional blink, as he stared into my sole. It was as if I could hear him saying, “Feed me nature boy.”

I snagged a small gnat (don’t worry, there where 1000’s by the creek), and placed him on the end of a length of dry grass. I suppose it was about 10 inches long.

I very slowly moved it forward towards the lizards month. Then quickly, with a ninja’s strike, the gnat was gone. Unbelievable! He took it. Of course, I repeated this same feeding action three more times. Then he turned and took off. A full belly no doubt.

Remembering that life moment, I thought, “Why not go lizard fishing.” I could use the small section of my fishing pole, some line, a couple of weights, and of course a mealworm. Almost like actual fishing.

I’d dangle it near the next lizard I saw on the retaining wall and let him snag it. Of course, he’d always get away with the treat (no hooks are used), and hopefully come back for another mealworm. Just like catch and release fishing for me.

With the fountain babbling in the background, my lizard fishing was about to begin. Not the cool, blue lake, but heck… gotta make it work Mr. G.

I sat down on my pallet Adirondack chair (Adirondack Pallet Chairs), with a cold beer, and began fishing. It didn’t take long and a lizard appeared.

Watch the video below to see lizard fishin’ in action! Super Fun!

Now, if I just had a cool pool to dip my bare feet in – that would be heavenly!