Sunday, June 28, 2009

My Treehouse

I received an e-mail from someone, asking me about my tree house. Well, I live three stories up, amongst the trees. I am surrounded by trees including mountain ash, Japanese plum, poplar, douglas fir, hemlock, pine and cherry trees. In the springtime, the Japanese plum and cherry trees are a mass of pink blossoms. When Phinnaeus was about three years old, he looked out the window at the blossoms and said, "Those are the boofelest things I have ever seen..." The douglas fir trees are filled with birds nests, and the raccoons sit in the nests in the late spring, hoping to steal the eggs. The crows dive-bomb them and put up an awful uproar, all of which usually starts at about 4:30 in the morning.

As I am writing this, there is a huge windstorm blowing in off the Pacific Ocean, and the seagulls and crows are gliding and swooping on the breeze. Seagulls are very social animals, and they love to tell jokes to each other. And then they laugh, and laugh, and laugh at the jokes. Sometimes they will set up such a cacophony, it really makes us wonder what on earth is going on. I love the scene in "Finding Nemo" where the seagulls are sitting on the pier yelling "Mine, mine, mine, mine!" until the albatross tells them to "Shaddup!" Seagulls really are like that, and they start very early in the morning. You don't need an alarm clock if you live anywhere near seagulls.

I'm fortunate that my tree house faces south, and I get the sunshine summer and winter. For some reason, which I do not understand, prime real estate in Vancouver is anything that faces the mountains, which are north. But for several months of the year, anything facing north gets no sunshine at all. I would rather have sunshine than a view of some big, dreary mountains, even though they are spectacular. In the summer months, I spend all my time on my terrace, and when the Munchkins come to visit, we eat our meals out there. We have spent many an hour on a bright summer morning, sitting at the patio table eating blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and discussing life.

So, there you have a very brief tour of my tree house.

26 comments:

ivan said...

With peraps only one talent and a monomania for writing, people have suggested I live in a tree.
You got room?

Patsy said...

Jo, thanks for showing your treehouse patio. Please please show the interior. I love to see how people live and what their environments are.

I love southern exposure with the sunny warmth, and your patio looks so cozy and charming and pleasant. And the idea of the breeze of the Pacific Ocean coming in....... that sounds like my Southern California.

Today it is probably going to reach the 90's here in the San Fernando Valley, so my Air Conditioning is turned up.

PLEASE SHOW THE INTERIOR OF THE PLACE. I have been promising my non-blogger friends that i will (ever since the new flooring last autumn) but I have to pick things up and finish off the work that was done.

I do love your place. Please take photos looking out towards the ocean. Take pix of everything.
~Lorna

mrsnesbitt said...

How lovely Josie. Could picture myself there with a glass of wine of an evening! Hmmmm infact I think I'll have one now! lol

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a slice of heaven.

ZB said...

wow, wonderful house you live in. No wonder you are such a fantastic blogger. :))

Land of shimp said...

I agree with you, I'd rather have sunny views of trees. I live in Colorado, in a suburb of Denver and I have lovely views of the massive Rocky Mountain Foothills. I'm not complaining, it makes for a lovely vista but there is something about mountain views that is unlike sea views, or forest views; they never change, at all. They just loom in the distance, being big, and in this case, quite Rocky.

Trees shift about in the wind, and as you mentioned have a variety of life in them, up close and personal. You can watch ships come and go when you have a sea view.

I love the mountains, they are awe-inspiring in the sheer scope of them, but if I had my druthers I'd happily look into the trees, too.

Trees have an inviting quality. Mountains keep you at a distance, being impressive with their sheer size. The life in trees tends to be busy, a little noisy, sometimes chaotic. I guess I relate better to a bustling view.

Alissa Grosso said...

It sounds lovely! Trees make wonderful neighbors!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Love your description of the birds telling jokes, then laughing! I have the same humming birds visit annually. I recognize them and one in particular. He has a green vest and an orange ring around his neck He will come right up to me as I put out his food and chatter away impatiently. Your deck is lovely, by the way.

Nancy said...

Love it!! It's just perfect.

We eat outside all the time in the summer.

Paula Slade said...

Charming spot! I can see that the exposure does well for your patio plants too!

Deb said...

OK, I have to ask. i thought you could not have any flowers on your balconey because of some crazy town law. or am I confusing you with another blogger????

Pear tree cottage! said...

Jo, your treehouse is wonderful and I am sure you have many "visitors" in those tree tops saying hello! to you all each day too.

Lee-ann

Leslie: said...

You know, I've yet to come over in the summertime and experience your treehouse from the patio area. And I seem to recall your mentioning some kind of special *drink* you're going to serve the next time I come over. hint hint LOL

The Bug said...

Gorgeous! I love our new yard, but your terrace is just lovely - thanks for sharing!

Marcella said...

Hi Jo, you make your tree house sound almost like something out of a fairy tale. Sounds delightful. I must admit I thought your tree house was in fact a little studio built in a tree. Your description doesn't detract from that image in any way. I suppose though, that instead of climbing a ladder to your tree house, as I had imagined, you actually take the stairs or an elivator.

Deedee said...

Wonderful, Jo! I'm with you on the southern exposure-nothing better in the winter! Thanks for sharing :)

Amy said...

Jo, I've been following you for some time, and I so appreciate your content. My husband and I are blessed with our first grandson, albeit a distance away. A tree house sounds like something grandpa, dad, and Elliot could create someday. Love the concept, we are in the trees too, tho in No. California.

Anonymous said...

Wowzer! Your tree house is lovely!

PhilipH said...

A superb setting. Hope you don't suffer from vertigo,Jo. Or we'd have to call you vertigojojo.

When I was about 8 or so I used to dream of going to live with Tarzan and Jane in their jungle treehouse. I was very jealous of their Boy, who lived with them, and Cheetah.

I am ashamed to admit that at the time I was sure it was all true and real! It's true that I'd long before discounted Santa Claus as being real, but Tarzan and family ... they just had to be the real thing.

Phil

Jennifer D said...

You really do live in a treehouse! I LOVE it!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

It's lovely. I really like the whole concept of living in the trees, and also agree with you about seashore vs mountains. I like both, but I'm really a coastal person at heart. And I also adore seagulls. I have often thought that if I could be an animal, I would be one of them.

Marguerite said...

Jo, Your tree house and your terrace look fabulous. What an inspirational setting with the seagulls, trees, and sunshine. But the crows at 4:30 a.m. would have to go! lol

Essie said...

Just beautiful Jo! I can picture a lovely breakfast on that porch. MMMMM.*and COFFEE*

Swetha said...

wow!! your tree house sounds amazing! i have never heard of anyone live in a house like yours! its simple superb! my mom would surely love that place!

lovelyprism said...

That sounds lovely! And you know Lorna was interested! She loves to hear about where people live and what their houses are like. I do too, I have to admit. When I walk the neighborhood at night I look in windows, you can see quite a bit t hat way! tee hee. Close your windows people!

Hilary said...

It looks like a wonderful oasis of nature in the city.