LIGNUM VITAE

THE TREE OF LIFE, THE NATIONAL EMBLEM OF THE BAHAMAS; FAMED FOR ITS STRENGTH, TOUGHNESS AND DENSITY, USED IN THE PAST IN SAIL SHIP RIGGING CONNECTIONS, FAVOURED BY BYGONE CLOCK MAKERS, SAID TO BE THE SUBSTANCE OF MERLIN'S WAND, TO HAVE MEDICINAL QUALITIES AND MANY OTHER USES BUT FOR ME ITS SIGNIFICANCE IS THAT IT WAS USED MANY YEARS AGO TO MAKE WOODEN LAWN BOWLS.
NOWADAYS BOWLS ARE CHURNED OUT USING A TYPE OF PLASTIC RESIN TO DIFFERING SPECIFICATIONS AND A VARIETY OF COLOUR. BUT A FEW STILL PLAY WITH THE OLD WOOD AS IT IS KNOWN.
I HAVE A SET BUT THINK THEY ARE TOO ATTRACTIVE TO USE IN BATTLE ON THE GREEN. AND ANYWAY THEY ARE ALIVE, HAVE A WILL OF THEIR OWN
AND - LIKE MERLIN'S WAND THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THEREFORE I KEEP THEM IN THEIR GLORIOUS FINERY, UNMARKED TO BE ADMIRED.