Homage + history…

Today is a milestone; the space at 11 East Main Street, Warner, is actively under my watch and officially able to begin its Buttonwood transformation.

Empty room = a blank canvas. It's visually stark, but my imagination is wild and I can see it all as clear as day. I'll be sure to have the door open as things come together. But perhaps not until I'm done bickering with my (amazing) husband as we create the right structural display. :)

This adventure is named after my childhood home, Buttonwood Cottage. And the home, of course, was named for the GIANT Buttonwood tree that grew by its side. 

Buttonwood Cottage was built circa 1790. We believe the tree preceded it!

Here's an idea of the scale we're dealing with.

Me (Killeen) & Tree

I truly grew up under her branches. I made "soup" from her seed balls and the bark she shed each year. (Yes, she was a pretty messy neighbor!) I played in her shade every hot summer day. Her leaves were as big as my face. To lie on my back and look up through that network of twisty, gnarly branches... that experience contributed to who I am today. I didn't have siblings. So I hung out with the trees. (I had a boulder friend, too. Her name was Hibble. The grandmother of all rocks. Another story for another day.)

Buttonwood seeds are a marvel. When we sold this house (a sad day), I was thrilled to find two seed balls among the fallen leaves. I pocketed them with a plan to keep one as a totem and plant the other. The day the shop opens feels like a good day. I'll want to consult someone with tree-planting knowledge in hopes of successful germination. I'm sure just the right person will come along... because that's what's happened since the day I first said, "I wonder if..." The connections keep coming. Thank you for being one of them! 

Much more to come,

✦Killeen✦

Thank you, Buttonwood tree. ♥︎