GNOME CHRISTMAS

I can't be sure, but my research shows that gnomes celebrate Christmas like we do. Nothing handed down about a gnome Santa, but this might be a well-kept secret. I think there must be a related concept. Maybe the clan elder plays a role and passes out gifts to the children. As for adults, this is a time for gathering friends and neighbors which brings out the beer and special berry juices! Not too bad.

Gifts could be nuts, ripe berries, new wooden toys and swing sets, with flutes and drums for sing-along's as part of the feast. So, let's assume gnomes do celebrate Christmas. Coming fron Scandanavia, I'm sure it is very colorful and festive.

All remains well.

Ole An Sven’s New Granddaughter!

I did not know ahead of time, but Ole An Sven’s daughter has been pregnant for the last 12 months and just gave birth to a little girl! Great excitement now in the forest. Visitors from all around are coming to visit and help with the home care and meals. Gnome fathers leave most of the child rearing to the mother and her close friends. He does  make lots of wooden toys, sings songs and tells bedtime stories to the little ones.

I did read that gnome children wet their beds until age 21 and continue to live with their parents until they are 100 years old. Remember, research said they live to be between 275 and 350 years of age. No wonder they’re so smart!

Extra cup of bird seed for the event. I wonder if gnome dads have little cigars they pass around? That would be a real sight to see. A new member of the family, and all is well.

Gnomes' Thanksgiving

Indeed there is a Thanksgiving celebration for our little friends. Like us humans, it is to give thanks for a great harvest, family and good friends. Gnomes are not meat eaters, so their meals consist of a variety of nuts, berries, mushrooms, fruit and some healthy greens. As we know, they love beer and fermented beverages. Throw in a few potatoes and beets and you have a fine feast. No turkeys! Many gather at various homes with friends to celebrate, tell stories and talk about family, and of course, the weather. It must be a great time, and always too much food. Not much different than our Thanksgivings.

The snow has stopped, so the gnomes are out at night gathering more firewood, nuts and helping their forest friends. The nights are much longer now, so lots of time to keep busy. Our little friend, Ole an Sven is upset, it seems, because I’m out of bird seed for the birds and him! He turned over the bird seed dish as a reminder. Will refill it later today. Must keep everyone happy. All will be well.

Footprints in the Snow!

Winter snow has come to the forest and deep enough to get lost! Good thing gnomes have pointed red hats! Gnomes move at a strong, fast speed. What I thought were only mice tunnels under the snow, could be a gnome hat “snow plow”  cutting a little tunnel under the snow. To disguise their footprints, they’ll make up snow shoes that leave a bird-like footprint. Some use raccoon or squirrel shoes. You can’t tell the difference. Look around your yard or near the tree line for these little footprints. At 6” tall, the footprints are close together. Follow them and see where they lead. You might have little neighbors.

With very keen sense of smell and direction, gnomes do not get lost in deep snow. They will always share their food supply with the other, smaller animals in the forest. Got those mushrooms in just in time! The forest is snowy white and very quiet now. Beautiful to look at though! All is well.

"Gnome with the Wind"

Our forest gnomes got hit with a big wind storm last week. Local news report winds of  60 - 70 mph! Trees are down, branches falling and pine cones flying like canon balls. Not a good time for a gnome to be out and about in the forest! With their homes at the base of big trees, they likely felt some movement and heard the creaking of the trees. Luckily, no big trees were uprooted this time. The gnomes have great indoor wood and pottery workshops. No need to be outside. They’re likely making some furniture and helping me with our bird houses that I sell. Lots of clean up now but everyone is just fine. Talk of snow coming. Footprints in the snow. Another story. All is well.

Trolls vs. Gnomes

From what I’ve read, these two do not get along at all. Trolls are larger, dirty, naughty and enjoy playing ugly cruel tricks on gnomes. These two do not live in the same forest locations for long. The trolls are just bad looking and bad neighbors. They’re always looking to harm a gnome just for fun. If you think you have friendly gnomes around, don’t bring a little troll statue home as bad things can happen. Although trolls are a lot larger in size, the gnomes are a lot smarter. Gnomes are seldom caught, but if that does happen, our smart little fellows always escape to live another day. Maybe a little worse for wear, but always a winner. All is well.

Mushrooms Everywhere!

With daylight savings now in effect, coupled with Fall rain and cooler temperatures, the mushrooms are popping up all over the forest. Big and small, tall and short. A real treat for the gnome dinner table. Somehow they know the good ones from the bad. In the morning, I’ll see a few picked and stacked up, but will be gone the next day. Maybe they dry the mushrooms to use in a stew or eat them whole. Or, perhaps they make a strong tea instead of beer! Oh, they enjoy the beer! Some roof repairs are needed using fallen pine cones as roof tiles. Beautiful fall colors now in the forest and the trails. Firewood gathering continues. You can almost smell the smoke from the gnomes' chimneys. All is well

Garden vs. Woodland Gnomes

There is a difference you know. Like a country boy vs. a city slicker. The woodland gnomes typically wear a blue jacket, brown belt and pants. The garden gnomes wear red with the same brown belt. Garden gnomes seem to be more somber and tell big stories. Sometimes the two visit each other’s homes. The garden gnomes think they’re smarter, but the woodland gnomes are very skilled in everything. These are booth good gnomes to have.  Of note, they both like a lot of beer, but do not drown like the snails, fortunately. Put out the beer!

Recommended reading: For those who want a perfect gnome reference source, a book called “Gnomes” by Wil Nuygen, published 1977 by Harry N. Abrams. Excellent! My reference.

Gnome's Age

We already know gnomes live to about 350 years old or more. They get married around age 100 and start a family, although with fewer offspring than before. They keep track of their age by the father planting an acorn on the day of their birth. As the oak tree grows, gnomes mark it with different symbols and moss. A story is being told as the tree grows. Next time you see a broad leaf maple in the woods, look carefully at the bark, up about 20 to 30 feet. The tree is marked yearly as the gnomes grow. One must be very careful to never cut down an “age tree.” Things may not go well after that! Acorns are a big favorite of the gnomes and are best roasted!

All is well in the forest here. As the warm, dry weather comes to a end, it’s time to gather the nuts and berries. All are happy. No recent cat visitors.

Moving In, Newcomers

New gnome homes bring new gnome visitors and homeowners. It turns out the elder clan member is our Whimsical Woods, Ole An Sven, has shown our new forest homes to visiting clans and they’ve agreed to move in. A lively bunch with great humor and woodland talent! You can tell by the pictures. Word will spread and others will follow. If you provide an attractive gnome home in your garden or woods, good things will happen. No U-Hauls expected! They’re called G-Hauls. :-) Best put out a little more beer for the crew. The snails will have to share.

More to come. No pun intended.

New Gnome Homes

I have read that single male gnomes start building their woodland log homes well before they get married. They must have a proper completed home approved by the council and the bride’s family before the marriage. It takes years of father-son work to complete the home, but they live to about 360 years. I sped up the process by turning old stumps into perfect new structures. I will post a picture of one of these here for you to see. Hopefully a gnome family will now take over and complete the interior with an entrance, stairs, trap doors, living quarters, escape routes, fireplace, stove, etc. More on that later. Gnomes are excellent craftsmen so in time it will become a home for one of them. No place like Gnome!

TRAVEL PLANS

As the wild geese begin their practice flights about our property, the gnomes have worked out a ride-along agreement.  This is their preferred method of travel to visit clans and offspring that have settled in a nearby forest here on the Olympic Peninsula. We thought the geese were honking at each other, but maybe they’re communicating with the gnomes riding on their long necks! At 245 to about 300 grams, they’re an easy load for an adult Canadian goose. I’m sure the visits are short as there is much to do in preparation for the colder winter ahead. Hang on there!

Strawberry Poachers

Garden gates keep the deer out of our garden, except when I forget to latch it, but that doesn’t stop our forest gnomes. Ripe strawberries look just like their little pointed red hats. I’ve got some to spare and do share, but will they take the whole berry? No! Just a nice big, round hole where they may have used a tool to carve out a section. They take a little from a different berry every night. The berries are organic and very sweet. Some rhubarb is left, so why not mini strawberry rhubarb pies? Just a thought. Better watch my raspberries! Gnomes are known to ferment them to make a potent alcoholic drink. Good thing they don’t drive! 

All is well.

HOME REPAIRS

Even gnomes are faced with frequent home repair projects. It is known that leaky roofs are a constant challenge for them. Their use of pine cone scales, bigger is better and act like a shingle. They use pine pitch and moss which come together as a water seal. I had some big sugar pine cones with very large scales set out at the edge of the forest. As expected, they’d been moved this morning and some of the larger scales were gone. They are probably wondering how to get more of these type of pine cones. Makes quick work patching the roof. Likely one or two will be made into a gnome recliner chair. Got plenty of extra sugar pine cones to spare!

"Deer" Me!

Last night I left our garden gate open, and there went our beautiful roses! The gnomes had tried to scare the deer away, but gave up and had to resolve to watching and laughing while the deer enjoyed their midnight snack. I expect to find puffs of deer fur now on the gate latch as a little friendly reminder. Their little way of poking fun at me. ha ha - tee hee!

Knowledge and Skills

It takes years of teaching, patience and failed attempts to learn the skills a boy and girl must know. The young boy gnomes learn from their father and the girls learn from their mothers and aunts. Seems all the parents pull together as teachers and role models for the young ones to follow. Maybe they understand this better than we humans! Hmmm!

Rain and Schooling

Thurs., Sept. 9

Summer is winding down now with the frequent rain and cooler weather here. I saw some deer fur caught on an old barbed wire fence. That is said to be a gnomes way of drying and combing deer fur for winter clothes. I did improve the quality of my birdseed - must be working!

I've learned that the community school in some hidden log is getting ready to open for the gnome kids. The boys learn about tools and making things. School is taught by the most knowledgeable fathers and leaders in the village.

As for the young girl gnomes, they also attend their own schools and learn from their mothers and aunts  the fine art of homemaking including cooking and gardening. Both learn of nature’s animals and their bond to the gnomes’ happiness. I’ve learned it takes years to become a classified good and knowledgeable gnome. Some have said this happens in mid to late 70’s, in a life span of some 300 years!

Labor Day Activities

With all the Labor Day picnic activities and friends visiting, our gnomes’ peaceful sleep was apparently disturbed. Being night folks who sleep during the day, they are seldom seen in the daylight. I’m sure they found a sip of beer or wine about, so how upset can they really be? Some requested more parties! I’ve used beer in a saucer to catch slugs in the garden, but perhaps it really went into a little gnome bucket for their enjoyment. They don’t much care if it’s dark or light beer, just beer!

Woodland Potluck

With the weekend here, it appears the gnomes will gather for a Saturday night meeting and woodland potluck at the senior's home. Lots of fresh produce from our garden, thanks to their help, provides a plentiful setting. There are plans for a wedding in the future, so I've heard. Seems the right age to settle down is about 100 years old! As they live to be about 300 - 500 years old, 100 seems about right to me. A lot more to come on these plans, I'm sure. A gnome must have a home built before their marriage, Not only completed, but inspected and approved. Kind of like some birds. Maybe I'll scatter some good black sunflower seeds about to add to their banquet along with a red strawberry or two. I know they'll disappear overnight.

Future Wedding!

There are plans for a wedding in the future, so I’ve heard. Seems the right age to settle down is about 100 years old! As they live to be about 300 - 400 years old, 100 seems about right to me. A lot more to come on these plans, I’m sure. A gnome must have a home built before their marriage; not only completed, but inspected and approved. Kind of like some birds.

Warm Fireplaces

Indeed, the seeds and nuts are gone. Hopefully to a warm storage place in the gnomes’ homes. A little light rain fell last night that I’m sure changed work activities there in the woods. If the wind is not moving, you sense the weak smell of little fireplaces. Surely more wood gathering this week for the gnomes. Can’t have too much firewood, they say!

News and Gnome Activities

There is news and activity here on our forest floor regarding the pending cooling days ahead. Somehow the ducks and geese flying overhead have alerted the gnomes of a bad winter this year. Gnomes have special means to predict future weather by looking at the foliage and watching the ants. I sometimes see little piles of deer fur here and there which the Gnomes use to make warm boots. We have lots of deer, so no shortage for boots! Likely we’ll see little stacks of seeds and nuts next as they prepare for winter. Here I thought the birds were eating all my food! The Gnomes dwell in the forest and with our vegetable garden nearby, I think they are very happy.

No Place Like Gnome!

This  begins a frequent entry in a series of Gnome News from our place here, Whimsical Woods.

We are blessed with an endless supply of old, downed trees from which I   construct wonderful gnome homes, along with bird houses.

We have been rewarded with the Gnomes’ friendship and trust. Through these little fellows’ magic means of communication, they let me in on their forest news and adventures, which I will be sharing. It is with their help I can bring you their stories for all those who understand and to which it will bring a smile and a moment of joy.

So, let us now start the adventures of No Place Like Gnome!  The story begins.

Once upon a time . . . . . . .