Xref: kermit rec.arts.bonsai:76021

Thanks for everyones response.
It made for some interesting reading and certainly different
views on the
subject.
I guess what it comes down to for me is while I haven't
suffered any
fatalities yet with bonsai, it may happen, so I am accounting
for that in a
way.

Lucky you.

Also, looking at what I have styled/created over 5yrs and it
looks good, and
will only get better with age.
I'd have trouble in actually purchasing a completed bonsai, as
I didn't
create it.

IF a bonsai is ever completed, I'd have to agree here. I have no
interest in "collecting" bonsai -- though I don't mind at all
"collecting" trees and turning them into bonsai. ;-)

I know, getting one from the wild is similar, but at least
nature
did it, not someone else, and I could keep the style going.

Please let us know when you find a tree in the wild that is
"styled" as a bonsai. They all need some "improvment," from the
artistic perspective.

My hobby for the past 12yrs (since I was 16) was doing up old
Aussie cars
(V8'S). While I did get satisfaction from it, I kept them for a
year or so
after finishing them, then sold them. Unlike bonsai, I couldn't
keep every
car I created. Although relatively new at it, bonsai is much
more
satisfying, cheaper, and relaxing than cars, and at least 10,
20, 30 yrs
down the track I will still have them, be enjoying them,
working on them
stress free and for a lot less cost than a car. Modifying cars
has totally
grinded to a halt with me.

Yah! Some folks DO grow up. (GRIN)

Getting back on track, at the very least I may trade bonsai,
but never sell
them, and possibly if my daughter (who is only 14months old)
finds it
interesting, pass them on to her.

Never say never. And I hope your child(ren) do grow to enjoy
little trees, but don't be too disappointed if that doesn't
happen. There are so many things (like rebuilding cars? And
BOYS!) to grab young people's attention these days (and it'll
only get worse) that the "old folks' sport" of bonsai almost
always is far down the list. Too contemplative.

Bill Valavanis' boys seem to be following in their fathers'
footsteps, but I know of few others.

Anyone on the IBC who has kids that enjoy doing their own little
trees (or who say, "No Dad (or Mom) it'll look better THIS way!")

Mine smile at their Dad's eccentricity and evince polite interest
every now and then. My son, now 42, occasionally finds a tree in
the woods (at least he loves to walk the woods like I do) he
thinks will make a good bonsai (usually not) and points it out to
me, forcing me to be unnaturally diplomatic.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests
are like genealogists: We know our roots!

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