BIRD (HOUSE) MAN

Donnie at a recent competitive show in Chapel Hill, N.C.

           First things where they belong . . .
  This  is  not  an advertisement ...paid or otherwise.
As a  matter of fact, when our friend Donnie sees this, it will be his first awareness that this little tribute is being made to one of his many unique talents ---building birdhouses.  But not just those of unimaginative joining together of pieces of lumber.  

     Donnie's edifices are works of art.  Whimsical, creative, imaginative, beautiful . . . these are the first adjectives that occur.  In his 9-5 life, he works in a nearby high tech corporation.  But before leaving for that world and after returning home, his creativity in another realm emerges.  Initially conceived as a way to generate tuition income for his college-age son, Old South Birdhouses Company's recognition and success have surpassed his modest original goals.

  At dinner with several friends this week, someone asked where he got his ideas.  He modestly said something to the effect, "Well,I have a drawer full of junk that I try to put to use."  He gathers that 'drawer full of junk' by frequent forays through antique venues, old tobacco barns, yard sales, and salvage yards. Where others see 'junk', he sees components of pieces of art.  He has created birdhouses of fish, roosters, old automobile logo, man-cave themes,. . .  No two pieces are identical.
For a larger sampling of the diversity of his art, see the Facebook page for Old South Birdhouse Company.

   In the few years since beginning this hobby/avocation, Donnie has exhibited his work in numerous venues and won several "Best in Show" accolades.  Additionally, he has had a retail booth in some of the most prestigious craft shows in the area.  My daughter and family have a couple of his houses, given as Christmas gifts, in their Alabama yard.

Placed in memory of one of our Family members

     

DeLuxe Birdie Apartment
(Full view below right)

This Rooster is one of three of Donnie's
birdhouses in our yard.

High Rise Apartment at show at Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, N.C.


Donnie combines his considerable intellect with an engineer-like 'hands on' talent honed from an early age. A promo piece noted that "being the third generation in a construction family, he has always been involved in building, but his birdhouses allow him to be creative on a much smaller scale."  He indicated that "all my birdhouses are designed to receive a seal of approval from the North American Bluebird Society."

As someone who has never been able to hammer a nail nor saw a straight line, I marvel at his creations.  But comparisons have limited benefit.  Creativity and fulfillment manifest differently and,  it seems to me, there is greater importance in finding and expressing one's  unique skills.  When someone asked if his son enjoyed the building projects as much as he, Donnie noted that Dolan ,while  competent in the workshop, is a writer.  At an early age, the son was already writing books.  Dad recognized and encouraged his son's special talents and today, Dolan is enrolled at a nearby university, honing his own creative skills. I have read some of  his lucid reviews of movies. He writes very well. 

We each have abilities for building our particular kinds of "bird houses".
What is yours?

Satchel