OF FAIRIES AND FROGS AND KNITTED THINGS

The wall beside me is covered with paintings, some large or fairly so, but mostly small. They are all whimsical. A stranger might assume a children's writer probably works here.

When I'm ready to blog I tend to tune up the 'puter and write whatever comes to me. Tonight I glanced at my paintings and thought about the sometimes extreme differences between people, people who are friends and who possibly share many interests. I thought particularly about my dear writer buddies and the traits we have in common--or not.

Not long ago my sophisticated friend, Elizabeth Lowell, wrote about her collection of crystal knife rests. I think I commented then that I could imagine her handling those pretty things, turning them over and considering each one. At that time I didn't give a lot of thought to what I collect but wow, how did this childlike lover of all things sparkling get lucky enough to gather such understanding companions (that means that they don't laugh at me--or not in front of me)?

My collection of pictures are of pirate frogs on stormy seas, or pirate frogs reading stories to kittens and mice. There are fairies walking spider webs, fairies taking their broken wings to the wing doctor, fairies flying on the backs of dragonflies. An enchantress leading the dragon she hatched from an egg looks at me over her shoulder. A cat plays the piano with help from a mouse who dances on the keys. Enough of those except to say that they are a blaring clue to who I am.

On my CD player sits a fabulous silk and satin frog (a gift from Suzanne who also loves a little whimsy), and more frogs, of all kinds are soon evident if you look around the office and concentrate. Most people miss that the drawer and cupboard pulls in and around my desks are in the shape of climbing frogs. Boxes guarded by jeweled frogs, bronze frog scultures, wooden frogs, a silver frog or two, they can be found tucked around this house. In case you haven't guessed, I collect frogerobelia, too.

In the library I keep my knitted "things." An English bobby, a scarecrow, tooth fairy, mouse fairy, so many fairies, and a penguin, an octopus, an elf, a teddy bear's picnic, a giant toad, and more. Yes, I collect knitted toys as well.

I think I've hit on something. Most of us collect things and those things may reveal a good deal about us.

Oh, and I'm fond of whacky salt and pepper shakers but apart from mentioning the palm tree with two coconuts, one for salt and one for pepper, hanging from fronds (and sent to me by Jill Marie Landis), I'll give you a break.

What do you think your collections reveal about you?
Any added ideas as to what my collections mean--about me?

Stella:)