The Poetry (Poet Tree) Box

A Custom Project Somewhere in My Neighbourhood

The Old One is Tired, a New One Will Be Up Soon

The New One: A similar design, but with cedar trim added

Introduction:

To protect peoples' privacy I won't tell you exactly where this project is situated (other than in My Neighbourhood aka Canada), but the original 'Poetry Box' (aka 'Poet Tree' Box) is still up, and functioning well, but looking just a bit tired around the roof line. So, though it may be 8 - 10 years old, most of the lumber is holding up well.

Good to know, because if the new model lasts as long then I likely won't have to replace it until 2035. 

Note to Self: Start setting aside proper pieces of solid pine, and a bit of cedar trim, this month (Jan. 2026) before you forget.

"Wha-? What was that?"

Photo Gallery re The Old One and The New One

The Old One:

The New One

Last photo, with trim, mid-Dec., 2025. Shop was slightly above 0 degrees

I'm cleaning up my Foto Files again (yup, up to 17,000+) so I will likely find a few more ancient pictures/projects from 'the shop' aka 'the shed'. And I still sign up for a few custom projects per year and there always seems to be a camera handy.

Please click on the following links to view YouTube videos filled with dozens and scores (groups of 20) of dusty photographs from The Shop.

Workshop Birdhouses (1) by Gord Harrison (somewhere in Canada)

Workshop Birdhouses (2) by Gord Harrison (somewhere in Canada)

I'll be back! You've been warned.

Please click here to view More Photos From the Workshop (10)

Unattributed Photos GH

More Photos from The Workshop (9)

 The Birdhouses Keep on Coming, and Going

Some Go as Far as Quebec.

Tall western cedar house with a feeder on the side

Introduction:

The workshop often smelled like the most pleasant spot in the neighbourhood. I recall a friend and neighbour dropping by one evening for a "shed night" (7 - 10 of us from the 'hood would share bevvies) and once inside the door he stopped, took a deep breath, and said, "I love the smell of this place!" The bevvies might cost money but the aroma was free!

Below you will find some of the items I worked on, e.g., some custom items worth a pretty penny and log cabins that sold out in a flash at local sales, and more:

Early stages of custom birdhouse destined for Quebec:

I take time out to play hockey w a dozen or two guys my age... senior-ish:

Custom birdhouse (destined for Montreal) and shadow box (destined for a retired draftsman), and a few custom cats:

Feeders take over the shop:

Lovely cedar feeder:

Wee chimneys for cedar and barn board birdhouses:

One of my early Swap Boxes, before I started making plexiglass doors, w proper hinges:

I put finishing touches to a shadow box, a commissioned piece for a retired draftsman:

This plaque was found on a baseboard in my house. It was home to chains that controlled air flow from the original 1920s furnace:

Cedar bird feeder:

For a few years I was able to purchase lovely barn board from a mill in Fenelon Falls:

The world's smallest purple martin house:

The shop is tidied up for a"shed night":

Maybe just a few more to follow. Surely I'm coming to the end... soon!

More photos from The Workshop can be seen by clicking here - More Photos from The Workshop (8)

Photos GH