Cheeky (Chicken) Monkey plays Guerilla!

(Click above image for a complete list of Global Guerilla Knit Up Participants)

Thanks to the gentle prodding of both my Getaway Driver (UberSpouse) and Lookout (Critter Child), my contribution to the Global Guerilla Knit Up went up! Yes, I waited till it was dark and was fairly certain that the number of human encounters would be limited ... but, it is officially on display.

After much deliberation (and the realization that it would only fit around a standard handrail sized item ... measuring makes A LOT of sense), I chose this most wonderful centrally located young tree in Gilchrist Park. It only took about 20 minutes to stitch it in place.

Here's the quick snap from last night:

Gilchrist Park is located right on the Peace River (appropriate, don't you think?) and is just walking minutes from downtown Punta Gorda (think more small town and not metropolis). The park gets tons of traffic throughout any given day as there's a terrific playground, tennis courts, covered pavillions, picnic tables with small grills, a dock, flower beds, live oaks, a monument of Ponce De Leon and meandering sidewalks.

Oh! and now it boasts this:

I have to admit that I think this is the best dressed tree in the park.

Check out the pole behind and to the right of the tree - the one with the duck at the top.

Here's a close up:

This pole is actually a utility outlet (note the small bulge near the top left of the pole). How cool is that? There are a number of places throughout the park that have outlets available (though this one really is the coolest by far) for the public to use. They come in handy during town sponsored events and on most Thursday nights when musicians gather to play. It's pretty neat as there are usually a few main gatherings where anyone is welcome to come sit in, plus scatterings of small drum circles and the like.

Here's a detail of the knit up:

Look to the left of the tree (between it and the palm tree) and you'll see the Ponce De Leon monument. (Items in the picture are much closer than they appear.) Check this out ... if people visiting the park pay attention, they'll see that Ponce is pointing right at the little tree:

OK, that's not really true - he actually points a bit east of the little tree, but for sake of this post, I chose to express a little artistic license (I just liked this shot of Ponce with the Gull on his head).

And one last shot of the tree:

This shot was taken near ground level pointing up towards the top ... doesn't it look HUGE?!?

The image really expresses how monumental this whole experience has been for me. It was wonderful taking part in an international festival of guerilla fiber art. I recycled left over bits, crocheted, knotted and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone to participate with many inspirational and creative artists from all walks of life. I like this feeling of being part of something bigger than myself and at the same time recognize how small the world really is. It has been such an honor taking part in the Global Guerilla Knit up (not to mention TONS of fun). I humbly and most sincerely express my gratitude to Grrl for throwing down the gauntlet and challenging us to do it ... and for holding our hands along the way.

It is my hope that people all around the world may look upon these offerings and be inspired ... or ... simply smile.

(2/28 - update ... it's gone ... hmmm)