Smoke
Ignore-Amus
Today after a minor surgey, I felt pretty good and decided to get Norene's car smogged and pick up the new tags at the DMV. I got all that done and decided to go see my Good friend Grey Anderson at Nee Hai Bonsai. A small establishment here in Fresno that carries all sots of stuff bonsai, dry goods like wire and pots and soil to plant material stands and the sort. I have known him for over 30 years and he also knew my wife well as she used to buy Yixing tea pots from him for years.
I saw him last Thursday while my wife was still alive and told him the next time I saw him she would be gone. Today I saw him...he was really disappointed. We talked and thought about old times and I told him my story about the Cal Juniper that I hope can be a sign and be saved. We both chuckled at the prospect of that happening but I must keep the faith always because my wife was always capable of strange things...
Today it was just me, Ripsgreentree and Grey. We said a prayer for the juniper and for Norene...we will see.
So I purchased a small shohin pot, nothing special a small Yixing pot in a very nice shape. Good for a strong conifer which I don't have. As I started out the door, something caught my eye..much like Norene did 33 years ago. In 1994, Grey reestablished a bonsai nursery back in Fresno, having moved to Monterey for twelve years after closing the first time in Fresno. In 1995, we did a class on twisting small seedling whip pines into interesting shapes. Being a nursery everything is for sale, but given the fact these would need lots of time to develop, he put outrageous price tags on them to keep them moving forward.
They did and today I spotted one and it took me in.
Why?
Because my wife always told me while working on material that looked OK to her, I would always reduce it to a "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" This looked exactly like that. I asked him how much? He said what you going to do with it, knowing I would never buy a stick in a pot like this. I told him it speaks to me, I see Norene in it. He told me to take it and make a wish come true. These were three year old seedlings that Grey started from seed in the nursery in Monterey from cones on a large tree. That makes this stick in a pot 25 years old before I even start.
So hear we go.....
Now the rootage at the base has become exposed over the years and I like the way what is exposed is shaped. I am sure there will be more later as I expose it to repotting. I see a Neagari style in it's future.
What there is of the crown has been sparse to say the least. I think there is a lot to work with and TLC will make this new again.
A top view shows the trunk as it twists.
So he tells me that I am pretty jazzed about the literati stuff and I tell him yes, it "intrigues me". He asks if I have seen Zhao Qingquan book? NO, I answered. He says "I happen to have one" so I purchase the book. I guess it couldn't hurt to read what a Master says on the subject.
I have my work cutout for me, The trunk needs better more precise bends that highlight the crown, and of course better foliage and wire. It's all there, I just have to work it out.
ohh and that price he was asking for these 25 year old sticks....$59.00. Thank You Grey, I will do you and Norene Proud.
I saw him last Thursday while my wife was still alive and told him the next time I saw him she would be gone. Today I saw him...he was really disappointed. We talked and thought about old times and I told him my story about the Cal Juniper that I hope can be a sign and be saved. We both chuckled at the prospect of that happening but I must keep the faith always because my wife was always capable of strange things...
Today it was just me, Ripsgreentree and Grey. We said a prayer for the juniper and for Norene...we will see.
So I purchased a small shohin pot, nothing special a small Yixing pot in a very nice shape. Good for a strong conifer which I don't have. As I started out the door, something caught my eye..much like Norene did 33 years ago. In 1994, Grey reestablished a bonsai nursery back in Fresno, having moved to Monterey for twelve years after closing the first time in Fresno. In 1995, we did a class on twisting small seedling whip pines into interesting shapes. Being a nursery everything is for sale, but given the fact these would need lots of time to develop, he put outrageous price tags on them to keep them moving forward.
They did and today I spotted one and it took me in.
Why?
Because my wife always told me while working on material that looked OK to her, I would always reduce it to a "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" This looked exactly like that. I asked him how much? He said what you going to do with it, knowing I would never buy a stick in a pot like this. I told him it speaks to me, I see Norene in it. He told me to take it and make a wish come true. These were three year old seedlings that Grey started from seed in the nursery in Monterey from cones on a large tree. That makes this stick in a pot 25 years old before I even start.
So hear we go.....
Now the rootage at the base has become exposed over the years and I like the way what is exposed is shaped. I am sure there will be more later as I expose it to repotting. I see a Neagari style in it's future.
What there is of the crown has been sparse to say the least. I think there is a lot to work with and TLC will make this new again.
A top view shows the trunk as it twists.
So he tells me that I am pretty jazzed about the literati stuff and I tell him yes, it "intrigues me". He asks if I have seen Zhao Qingquan book? NO, I answered. He says "I happen to have one" so I purchase the book. I guess it couldn't hurt to read what a Master says on the subject.
I have my work cutout for me, The trunk needs better more precise bends that highlight the crown, and of course better foliage and wire. It's all there, I just have to work it out.
ohh and that price he was asking for these 25 year old sticks....$59.00. Thank You Grey, I will do you and Norene Proud.
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