When I first arrived at my temporary home here in The Forest, the abundant rains had led to the grounds being overwhelmed with weedy greenery and grass. As I walked around the grounds trying to figure out the landscape structure, using my archaeologically-tuned senses (my Master’s degree was in paleoanthropology/paleolithic archaeology), I realized that at one point near the front of the house, there was probably a rock path with a little stairway leading from the drive up to the western edge of the front of the cottage. I immediately set about clearing away the weedy overgrowth to reveal the cute little path and stairway.

As I was cleaning away the brush, I also realized that the flat, grassy area to the right of the path was sheltered by a curved, rock ledge and was meant to have a little bench or seating area there from which one could view the hibiscus, other flowering plants, and the large trees. I think the area should also be bare sandy, rocky ground with no grass.

While removing brush in another part of the front garden, I ‘excavated’ a silver spoon!

It doesn’t match the type of spoons in either the cottage or the main house, so it is quite the curious find!

Another day, while walking back from locking the front gate, I saw something glitter on the ground. I again ‘excavated’ with fingernails and a stick (poor archaeological technique, but needs must!) and discovered a cache of crystal beads. I think they must have once been part of sun catcher. What they were doing ground into the dirt of the driveway, I do not know.

It seems that the violent storm we had a couple of weeks ago washed away a lot of dirt which left ‘treasures’ peeking out to catch my eye. What more will I find as I explore the grounds?!

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