“Have you ever come across a beautiful piece of driftwood while strolling along the beach and wondered where it came from? Driftwood is a fascinating natural wonder that is washed ashore after a long journey at sea. But have you ever wondered which type of tree it originated from? In this article, we will explore the origins of driftwood and unravel the mystery behind its source. So, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s embark on a journey to discover the secret life of driftwood.”
Inspiration & Wonder…
Living on the Oregon coast for 17 years gave me an unforgettable life experience, especially discovering nature’s gifts. As I walked and explored every nook, cranie, corner and crevice of the coast to discover the secrets of life and nature’s treasures, it was driftwood that captured my imagination.
Yes, I’m an obsessive and diehard beachcomber. This hobby keeps me grounded. It’s the beauty of nature and being mindful of things much larger than myself. Nature is truly healing in many ways.
The life cycle of driftwood…
On one of my treasure hunting beachcombing adventures, I discovered a very old piece of driftwood. It was hard to see with all the seagrass covering this piece of driftwood like a medieval Viking fur coat. It was very heavy when I picked it up. I wanted to see what might be underneath the thick seagrass.
To my total amazement, little sea creatures started running about while removing the seagrass. This was when I concluded that this particular piece of driftwood was an ecosystem of its own making, created over a long period of time. It was probably drifting along for decades in the vast Pacific Ocean, eventually landing in Little Whale Cove near Depoe Bay, Oregon.
One of my favorite finds (photo above and subject if this article) that landed in the cove during a winter storm.
Imagine…
Once I got home, the next step was to begin removing all the seagrass. It was like a treasure hunt. I felt like an archeologist. I couldn’t believe all the little sea creatures roaming about. It was a shame to disrupt their life and home. Digging and cleaning this piece took a long time using a small carving tool.
After letting it dry for about 7 days, It was much easier to finish scraping and cleaning all the secret passage ways. It seemed like a never ending effort to clear out the many grooves and layers of deposits accumulated over time. The little sea creatures had built their tiny home over time. It was very similar to what you would observe in an old log in the rain forest where termites and other bugs thrive.
Once the scraping and cleaning was done, I started the finishing process with sand paper. I was amazed and pleased with my handy work. The final step was to brush the piece with water based clear wood preservative. Just like magic, my driftwood art piece was completed. Before displaying it in my gallery, I placed shells and small rocks, including a few agates in the grooves. Look again at the photo above.
Included is a photo of another driftwood art piece with an airplant that appears to be growing out of a nook in the wood.
Mindfulness Meditation…
After many years of dealing with my own mental health challenges, I discovered the concept of ‘living in the moment.’ Healing from trauma is very personal. Finding ways to keep pain at a safe distance can be addressed successfully by finding things you’re most passionate about and focus, focus and focus.
Allow what you love wisk you away each day. It’s your special alone time away from day to day stress and anxiety. It’s your time to drift away, leaving behind the day to day pressures of life, the triggers and demons that can be all consuming and painful at times. With practice and discipline, living in the moment or mindfulness meditation can become a good habit.
