My wife and I got married on the Chattahoochee River near where I grew up. We decided to ‘float away’ rather than drive. The canoe was bought from a place in Helen according to its stickers and made in Maine (not far from where my wife was born), making it that much more special to us. When we ‘floated away’ we found out it had a leak! Once the wedding was over and we moved home a year or so later after I got out of the Marines, we thought this would be the coolest way to preserve our keepsake canoe.
One of our container stories this past month pointed out that anything from an old clawfoot tub, to a boot, to a vintage basket or pottery, could be used as a planter. Apparently so can leaky canoes.
Congratulations, Seth and Brittany Brown, winners of our gardening contest this month! As beautiful as the container is from Lowe’s in Cornelia, their story is even more special.
“When I got out of the Marines after five years, we settled in Demorest near my Nana and Papa’s house. Our farmhouse, a fixer-upper, with 30 acres butts up to their land. My Papa died when I was in the Marines so the land, the canoe, and the history behind all of it are very special to me,” Seth explained.
You see, Seth’s Papa owned a blueberry farm on Sidney Roland Road. Here’s the link to their Facebook page in case you want to know more about Brown’s inspiration. https://www.facebook.com/sidneyrolandblueberryfarm/
His children, two girls and a boy ranging in age from seven to a year old, seem to have inherited some of that family love for growing and digging in the dirt.
When Seth returned home to their farm in December 2019, he brought the canoe from his Nana’s house to use as the ultimate reminder of wonderful memories, and for a unique and eye-catching planter.
Sunflowers are planted in the canoe this year and he is adding flowers as his work schedule allows.
“I do this in memory of my Papa.”
Thank you Seth for your service and for continuing a family legacy. Also once again, thanks to all of you for your amazing entries, for helping us select a winner, and to Lowe’s for this month’s container giveaway!
