Greg and Donna Kraning had a nice surprise waiting for them when they recently returned from a holiday.
Their son, Ryan, created a wood carving from a damaged evergreen tree in the yard.
Roughly about ten years ago the top of the tree had been hit by lightening and the damaged part was cut off by Greg’s father who was the owner at the time. Earlier this year there was more taken off and talk of just cutting the whole tree down and been done with it.
But Ryan wanted to save the tree and give it new life.
 The house was also turning one hundred years old. So while the parents were away, Ryan drove from Pipestone to create the “tree spirit”.
With an assortment of new and antique tools art was created over a “relaxing” two day period. 
When I asked Ryan to tell me about it, he explained how much he loves this kind of stuff.
About five years ago he took a course from Walter Kehler, who is known as the timber man.
“He is definitely an inspiration to me, I’m not nearly as good as Walter is, but hopefully one day I will be.”
Future plans are a log cabin with solar energy. Ryan explained how he feels like a modern day hippie.
All I know is that Ryan has created a wonderful piece of art with a renewable resource. He is definitely practicing the three R’s in today’s society: recycle, reuse and renew.
As for it being not too shabby of work, I think I will let others judge this amazing wood carving, because from what I have heard from others who have walked or driven by to check it out, they have all said great things about it. 
Donna, Ryan’s mother, mentioned to me Ryan had other plans for more of the trees in the yard.
Can’t waite to see what this amazing artist will do with the others.