Cool Beans 2002-06-08

The room is comfy. The walls are panelled of natural pine, and there is a fire in the stone faced fireplace. The furnishings are simple overstuffed sofa with cushions and quilts, and a rocking chair sitting on a braided rug. The smell of pine trees wafts through the screened windows.

The forest is light and airy. Hemlocks, pine and oak trees abound. The forest floor is soft from a thick layer of pine needles and accented with lots of ferns

It is interesting to note that hemlock is not only a type of evergreen in North America but also a poisonous herb in Europe: an unfortunate association, or something with deeper subtext?

The path is easily navigated. It is covered with needles from the pines and easily visible. It winds easily through the forest.

Any interference from adults (pine needles) was minor and easily ignored.

The water is a slow moving brook. It winds between moss covered rocks. The water is clear and clean. Leaves converge and swirl among a few fallen branches.

The drinking vessel seems to be made of a carved gourd of some kind. It has a leather thing attached to hang it from a nearby branch. Both inside and outside surfaces are smooth.

The key is like an old skeleton key. It has a long shank with a clover style handle. The key portion is squarish with only 2 tooth type projections to fit into a lock. I think it unlocks a chest or footlocker.