The Bodice Ripper
If you see your name, the words "sex" or "free" you are compelled to stay and read a blog. This is according to a study about Internet readers' eye movements I read in a magazine at the Dentist's office. I guess it worked because it caught my eye (but only after the "Eat Chocolate To Lose 20lbs by Christmas" headline).
Scorched Beauty
I don't know about you, BUT, if I saw my name with the words free sex printed anywhere I would be alarmed; change my name to Mary; RUN not walk to hide at the nearest nunnery (which is actually within convenient running distance from The Garden Brae). However, it got me to thinking about the adage 'sex sells" and if that concept is applied to the garden business?
Early Garden Brae Header Prototype
To that end I created a titillating innuendo banner for The Garden Brae, but it made me uncomfortable .
..Right, said Fred, "My [banner 's] too sexy for my [blog] too sexy for my [blog] So sexy it hurts "...
So, instead, I went with the I'm- a -fairy -in -my -garden tongue in cheek thing instead, which I am still not completely comfortable with. I really wanted a banner of sophisticated, minimalist chic - but the frou-frou kept creeping back in to it. Just couldn't make the sleek and chic happen for some reason.
Arbutus are beautiful, sensual, trees. Inflamed, fiery red curves jutting out of smooth pale skin
Flowing, abundant auburn curls that coil away to reveal beautiful, cool skin begging to be touched
Oberon in the Arbutus Grove
Mysterious bulges and crevices. Contours covered in rough and ragged bark that peels to reveal a softly curved limb (Diana Gabaldon eat your heart out)
Arbutus shed their leaves in summer and their bark in autumn
Some people don't like having to rake up after the Arbutus. Too bad for them because in many districts the trees and saplings are protected by law from being cut down. Arbutus is the only native broadleaved evergreen tree in Canada. It is restricted to a narrow band along the south coast near the ocean. They are often found on exposed rocky bluffs overlooking the ocean. The Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), is a species of arbutus found on the west coast of North America and primarily in British Columbia on Vancouver Island.
Arbutus menziesii
Oh yeah who are Michael and Susan? Maybe they are you right now because they are amongst the most popular baby-boomer names in North America and you saw your names and read this post? Then, hey, that magazine article was right after all! If so, where did my husband hide the Halloween chocolate ... I am on my way to losing 20lbs by Christmas.
ETA (Edited To Add) 22OCT2008: Bred from the bosom of a demure mamma I posted this blog with a blush and a hesitant finger. It is reassuringly wonderous fine to receive such great comments of smarts, fun and wit including that of Kanak Hagjer of Assam India aka Terra Farmer who wrote...
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"Ooo...the Bodice Ripper--the Stripper!
Methinks that I shall never see,
An image as sexy as your bodilicious tree!
Loved the various stages of undress--shedding, peeling, revealing...What a naughty, delightful post!
WoW! What a bunsch of beautiful stems/trunks!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Beautiful pics of lovely trees. Will go to Eden next week and we will stay there for at least 5 days. Will take loads of photos and hope to see beavers. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteOoo...the Bodice Ripper--the Stripper!
ReplyDeleteMethinks that I shall never see,
An image as sexy as your bodilicious tree!
Loved the various stages of undress--shedding, peeling, revealing...What a naughty, delightful post!
Naughty, naughty! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the post, love the tree, and I love the 'frou-frou' Faery feel of your blog!
Slàinte!
Laurel
As always you leave us breathless waiting for your next commentary and pics!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog!
What a fun post. :) I love the Arbutus menziesii tree in the bottom photo -- is the trunk that color under the bark? Stunning.
ReplyDeleteLinda
ReplyDeleteTack! För era kommentarer ;)
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Eden
Can't wait to see your photos of your Eden-home.
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Kanak
OMG love your poem-comment!
What a sparkling writer you are!
I would love to add it on to the end of the post - If you read this, let me know if ok to do so.
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Laurel
I am so glad you like it. I am embracing the Sidhe of me:)
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Cindy
You made my day with your comments. Love rambling through your photos.
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Nancy
I could imagine the poetry and photos you could create about Arbutus.
Yes, the trees are usually that smooth rich amber colour most of the time.
Variously the colours of the trees are soft lime green then the shiny smooth amber you see in that picture and then mahogony to violent red curls like Papyrus then rich dark brown and blackish to baby lime green skin again. Lots of different textures and colours.
Shauna, please do so! I'd LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Will be back again.....
Hi Shauna, this is pure genius! We are soul sisters for sure, aspiring to minimalist chic but just cannot resist the temptation of the frou frou. The the sexy image at the top makes me uncomfortable also. Your Michael and Susan is brilliant. I would be interested to know how all those words affect your stats, the accountant in me. Yes I am an accountant frou frou fairy lover and gardener. ;->
ReplyDeleteFrances
http://fairegarden.wordpress.com/
I want to touch all of these beautiful tree trunks.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm passing on a tag to you... Please share if you feel up to it :)
I have "tagged" you to share 7 random things about yourself...check with my blog to see what i mean.....
Karrita
You make exfoliation look sexy!
ReplyDeleteLovely! You know, sex and the garden go hand in hand... not your fault that the garden is a sexy place. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with compost-in-my-shoe, and that's pretty remarkable. That didn't come out right. It's not remarkable that I agree with c-i-m-s, but that someone can make exfolation look sexy.
ReplyDelete--Kate
Frances,
ReplyDeleteSoul Sista!
You intriguing cocktail of Accountant-Frou-Frou-Fairy-Lover-Gardener. No wonder your blog adds up to bloody brilliant! Here's hoping a Mike or Sue drops by - I'll let ya know.
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TC
Cheesy-moi?! Bloody hell - I was aiming for saucy.
Lets compromise and I'll admit to korny. MMMMmmm cheese, sauce, corn. Natchos anyone?
Love your comment TC
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Karrita
It is a delicious insight reading those personal morsels about gardeners - its so personable. I confess I get into such a sweat about who to pass it on to and end up procrastinating doing it.I Look forward to going straight from here to check out your random things about you - bet it informs your great ceramic art creations.
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Compost In My Shoe
Forsooth! You are working your way from my shoe to my heart.
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Blackswamp Girl,
Of-course it's not my fault - it is Eve's! :}
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The Manic Gardener,
ReplyDeleteI imagine snakes make exfolation look sexy to other snakes. That didn't come out right. Er, uhm I don't actually sit around imagining snakes and their love life. Oh dear...
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI, too, got into a nervous sweat about being tagged and who to pass it on to. I thought it might be interesting to learn more about the people on the blogs I like to follow. It seemed like showing myself instead of the garden or art, which felt kind of strange. I'm looking forward to seeing your seven things and totally understand if you choose not to do it. I tagged a few other ones too.
Beautiful day to you,
Karrita
Can't say I was not taken over by the magnificent photography (for a change ;-), can't say I didn't enjoy the Princess in that stunning Arbutus grove, but let's face it, I'm still pondering upon the artistic impact free sex had on me, the Bodice Ripper in particular.
ReplyDeleteViolet
ReplyDeleteI think the "Bodice Ripper" tree needs a Fabio Tree photo - got any swashbuckling tree pics lurking Milady Greenthumbs?
PS. Have been unable to post comment on http://ceanothus.blogspot.com. However, could be my left handedness at present due to right arm injury.
Hi~
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and say "What a trip." I was thrilled at all of your posts!
I'm loving all of our similarities!
Peace~
Karrita
hilarious post! lol!
ReplyDeletethe arbutus is very high on my things-i-miss-about-living-in-BC list. the bark is beautiful. the colours are magnificent. but the shape!!! i absolutely adore the way they mimic the water they grow near by.. twisting, twirling softness.
i have had trouble posting on your blog the last couple of days, btw, hope this one goes through. also on a few others...? strange.
tjullahop!
Gardening almost all about sex and death, I find. And, of couse, the Frou-Frou without which life would be fearfully dull. Fab rhubarb red menziesii.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the thought that Faeres do not live in a minimalist house, no mid century austere straight lines for them. They probably decorate with luscious curves and rococo style.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, what a picture. I was just taking pictures of the lovely arbutus bark in a public garden where I volunteer. Now, I've got to return to see if I missed anything as titillating as your amazing pic.
ReplyDeleteI also love your internet analysis about "sex", "free", and "Michael" and "Susan". Not enough to make me change my name, mind you, but still.
Discovering your quirky blog has made my day!
OMG....Pics so fabulous! I have never seen anything like it. Love them... Wow!
ReplyDelete~Montana Cowgirl