Every May, when the garden is prepped and seeds are planted, the kids get the fun job of building Dude the Scarecrow. Dude has been with us quite a few years now, watching over the garden and scaring away marauding birds and pests. Occasionally he gets something new, like a straw hat, or overalls when the old ones fall apart. Honestly, I am not sure where the rainbow suspenders came from, but they really pull the whole ensemble together. Every fall, he gets disassembled, un-stuffed, and packed away for the next year.
Dude has been wearing the same wool button-up shirt every year, and aside from a few holes, it is still going strong. I can tell you with certainty that wool is hardy. We tie the sleeves shut with some bailing twine, and button it up over the T-shaped PVC frame. Stuffing it with straw is very straightforward from there. The overalls are tied shut at the ankles in the same manner, the legs are stuffed with straw and the straps are buckled over the shoulders. The bottom of the PVC frame sticks out the bottom of the overalls and slides over the top of a metal T-post where Dude sits through the summer, watching over things in the garden.
Dude has been known to loose his head at times. I think the first one was a simple pouch I sewed out of a t-shirt that we could stuff with straw and tie over the PVC “neck” sticking up from the top of the frame. When that disintegrated, and I tried a sturdier fabric. I like the red button the kids picked for a mouth that makes an “O!” expression. The sunglasses are also a nice touch that take him from being just a Dude to one Cool Dude.
I am glad to see my 13-year-olds still getting excited about putting a scarecrow together. I realize at some point they might decide it isn’t fun anymore, but I will enjoy the tradition while it lasts.
At an age when they would rather do nothing other than hole up in their room with a book or spend time on the computer, it is wonderful to watch them outside on a sunny day working on our scarecrow. I have a feeling this is one of those memories they’ll reminisce with each other when they are adults. “Remember when we used to build Dude the Scarecrow…”
And there we have it. Two kids and a Dude.
Growing up on a homestead makes for some fun times.
I always enjoy your blog, but this was outstanding. You are blessed to have children of this age, who will build a scarecrow & even help you in the garden! I admire your mothering & all your skills. Beautiful photos also. Mary Ann
Thank you for the kind words Mary Ann! I was feeling like it was a pretty special thing to still get them to come out in the garden and work on this when they have so many other interests competing with homestead projects. I am blessed indeed.