to start the ball rolling in 2008

[George Nesfield]

Hi,
Looking forward to raking the chippings again soon.
George.

[Herb]

George,

When you say that you're looking forward to raking the chippings again soon, it made me wonder how you keep them staying so free of leaves and other debris.

I don't even try raking the chippings in this corner - I have a hard enough time just dealing with the pine needles that fall from the Tanyosho Pine.

I had another go at them this morning, using a soft brush to push them into the circle under the Pine, but to clear the chippings of every single needle, I'd have to get down on my hands and knees and use tweezers. I might feel more like doing that if I were a young fellow like you, but on a freezing cold day it didn't appeal to this 78-year old.

What's your secret?

Herb

http://www.pbase.com/mtu_fulani/image/92109056/large

[George Nesfield]

Hi Bert,
Okay, so this young fellow is two years younger than you and being as young as this it aint so bad ,I brush my needles and leaves off the chippings with a bisle, if that is the right word, it is a witches mode of transport, it does the job great and dosn't disturb the chippings to much either.you just have to brush the needles and leaves with a flick of the wrist to move them.Great fun
here is a photo of my bistle near my teahouse.
George

[Herb]

Thanks, George. Your Bisle looks a bit like the Corn Brooms that we have over here, but I think a Corn Broom is a lot stiffer. Shifting pine needles without moving the needles certainly something gentle & your bisle seems to fit the bill. Maybe an air blower would work too.

Bert

[whis4ey]

Bisum George, bisum

[George Nesfield]

Hi Sam,
Thanks,I knew you would be there to help a poor old man who is loosing his way,Bisum not bisle, mind you it nearly sounds like it.
George

[whis4ey]

[Herb]

George & Sam,

I'm not so sure that George was entirely wrong. There's a vacuum cleaner called Bissell & I wonder if they took it's name from the word George used? - http://www.bissell.com/

Bert

[whis4ey]

Herb
Stop making excuses for the old man
He got confused and mixed up a bisom with a Bex Bissel vacuum cleaner

[Herb]

Sam,

You shouldn't make fun of your elders. They may tease you back by asking if either 'bisum' or 'bisom' was the right way to spell it....

Bert

[whis4ey]

Bert
I really did already notice that, but decided to let it stay to see if either you or George would notice

[Herb]

George -

Do you think Sam really knows the right spelling?

Bert

[whis4ey]

I was testing you again Bert
I find (on checking) that the word is Scots dialect and is spelt 'besom'
If you have a look here you will see that it also is a word for a young girl scallywag, and a 'broom made with twigs'
http://www.clanshop.co.uk/docs/dialect.html
Being from Northern Ireland where 'Ulster Scots' is a recognised language of sorts, I probably should have got it right first time

[George Nesfield]

Hi Sam and Bert
So if a besom is made from twigs, maybe I have made a new word BISTLE because mine is made from bamboo or should we call it a BAMBOOSTLE which sounds even better
George

[whis4ey]

There is such a thing as a bistle brush but it is used in painting
http://www.builderdepot.com/seo/PREMIER ... RUSH.ihtml
Can't find anything on a Bamboostle brush though

[George Nesfield]

Hi Sam,
So I had better get it patented before someone swipes my idea.
George.