Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 4 : Spring 2010 | Page 36

Fairy House
by Dena Hensler

Depending upon the time of year, there are a
multitude of ways to occupy ones time at our camp, Beaver
Brook Lodge. Constructed of logs that were cut (felled),
peeled (debarked) and “persuaded” into place using peaveys,
axes, chain saw and brawn, it is a tranquil setting offering a
reprieve from the hustle-bustle of everyday life and a place
for imagination to be nurtured, cultivated and expressed.

Selecting one of the four seasons about which to
write was perhaps the most difficult part of this exercise.
However, as we are now in the throes of winter, bidding
a sad farewell to autumn, I will write about one of our
summer past times that as adults, we can enjoy in a childlike fashion for a brief time and that is...building a fairy
house.

With the help of family members, (including a
niece and nephew who choose to accompany us to the
woods rather than stay at home and be entertained with
their electronic gizmos), we begin this project by selecting
an appropriate site. We keep in mind that from what we
understand, like so many forest inhabitants, the woods
fairies are nocturnal, elusive and reclusive creatures coming
out of “hiding” at night.
The children are amused at the adults enthusiasm to
participate in an activity that requires so much imagination.
Little do they know that the endeavor provides us a respite
from adulthood and allows us the opportunity to return to
our youthful innocence if only for a short time.

As we follow a meandering foot path through the

34 Fairy House SPRING 2010

woods, our senses are confronted with the earthy scent
emanating from the moist ground. Our ears appreciate
the call of a nearby Blue Jay and the staccato chatter of
a Chickadee. After a thorough visual inspection of the
wooded area, we find a suitable location a few yards behind
the camp. Standing tall and proud is a giant pine tree, its
exact age unknown but in all likelihood spanning more
than two centuries. At its base, the circumference is easily
large enough to provide visual obscurity to anyone wishing
to be hidden and appears like a coniferous sentinel keeping
vigil over the cabin and surrounding area. An exposed root
protruding above the ground creates a small cavern beneath
the curvature offering a sufficient opening for the house
and protected in the back and on the two sides.

With the use of our hands and a garden rake, the
ground is prepared as we gently brush the area clear of
unwanted twigs, leaves and other debris. It is important
to note that in the “construction” of any legitimate fairy
house, only items natural to the forest are acceptable.

As we proceed, our goal is two-fold: to construct a
sleeping area for the woods fairies and to provide an area for
their enjoyment.

For their pleasure, we will furnish them a botanical
garden or arboretum. This may be a place for many mythical
spirits to gather during their evening wakeful period.

We begin by making a roof of sorts that will serve
as a protective outcropping over the area below which will
be the main assembly area. With our hands, we weave twigs