Are you looking for a fun outdoor project that is also cheap? This week’s tribute is due to neighbor who has a gift for making bird houses.
On a beautiful fall evening, my wife asked if I would like to join her and our three children for a bike ride nearby our house–she had seen a really fun collection of bird houses on display on someone’s fence. I’m so glad she took us. There is a bird house for nearly everyone to celebrate Halloween, the community, hunters, farmers, cowboys… you get the idea. I tried to take a picture of all of them–some were my kids favorite, or just stood out to me in such a unique way.
The next day at work, I roll up to the very house where these bird houses are. After helping them lay some tile, I asked the couple about the bird houses. Jarmila told me that her husband–who goes by John or J.J.–makes them. So I went out to his garage and talked with him for a little bit about his projects.
John told me some of his and his wife’s story, moving to the United States, running their own business, his love for hockey; and he also told me about a new found hobby for making these bird houses. He goes around to 2nd hand shops like Goodwill, and antique shops, and looks for things that spark his imagination for a bird house.
There’s one pictured below that is even a metal watering can. He just uses his imagination and puts them together. Once he has them the way he likes them, he covers them with a clear-protective coat, then hangs them on the fence.
He shared how he heard a neighbor girl walk by telling her mom how much she loved the Pinocchio bird house, because “Pinocchio is my favorite!” He loves to make them for people to see, he doesn’t sell them, just wants to share his talent for everyone who wants to see it.
I loved it! I loved the idea! I love that he just wants to share his artistic talent and do it with a fun, light-hearted approach. One of my favorites also pictured below is the pig sunbathing on the beach, one of my daughters (who really loves all of them) loves the one with the bear; my son really likes the castle. It is like an art museum without the pressure of a quiet space, or sense of obligation to look at every one and exclaim why it is so beautiful. We shared a family moment just by sharing which ones we loved.
I decided to try it out. I went to Goodwill and for a total of about $5, bought some kind of coat hook that was broken along with a Christmas scene (on sale in October to get ready for the holidays). I changed around the pegs so that birds could enjoy my winter scene while living around the bird hotel. What a fun project! Both my wife and I hope that birds will soon check-in because bird watching can be a very peaceful way to relieve tension at the end of a long day.
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