Tuesday 30 August 2011

Polish and cheesy potato bake..........

Stephanotis and Archibold were polishing the statue with Uncle Humperdinck's secret recipe for wood nurturing varnish. Hortensia had finished all of her final carving touches with a small kitchen parring knife and was now sitting exhausted watching the polishing process with amazement. Her statue of a Hero Gnome was turning a deep, glossy brown, glinting in the sunshine and seeming almost alive.

They were discussing how to move the statue to the old lady's garden without being seen. Of course all gnomes have the ability to merge and flow, but the statue was made of wood and was very obvious, gnomes have an inbuilt and extreme aversion at even the very thought of endangering their safety. 'Have to be a night mission, we can put it on a cart and pull it there, you up for it Stephanotis?' Archibold was bursting with joy at Hortensia's achievement and was eager to see it in pride of place. 'Course I am, count me in, is tonight the night?'

Soon a large party of gnomes was gathered at Aunt Mildred's, who having fortuitously foreseen the inevitable need for a strengthening supper, had made a very tasty cheesy potato bake. Sometime after midnight about twenty gnomes gathered around the statue, they had padded the cart with moss so as not to damage the statue as it traveled over the rough terrain and then tied it on securely with ivy ropes. Silently they set off at a fast lope, pulling the cart through the forest to the edge of the garden. "Aunt Mildred says the perfect place is over there in front of the laburnum', Hortensia was trying not to be bossy but was feeling rather nervous.

The gnomes carried the statue over a small lawn, past the herbaceous border and on to a perfect natural podium in front of the laburnum. Aunt Mildred had been right, once in it's rightful place, The Hero Gnome Statue looked truely magnificent. After standing and admiring Hortensia's grand achievement, the gnomes gently set off for home - satisfied at their amazing day's work and looking forward to a well deserved and very good night's sleep.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Passion and humbugs.........

Hortensia was sitting with Aunt Mildred watching Archibold as he started on the statue. Aunt Mildred was sucking on her pipe and Archibold was feeling more than a bit nervous that she was going to begin giving instructions before he had got going and knew for sure what he was going to do. He winked at Hortensia who, grasping what he was worried about, suddenly began to sing very loudly to baby Harriet about how wonderful Aunt Mildred's mint humbugs were - and how when she was older she would be let into the secret of how to make them! This distracted Aunt Mildred sufficiently for Archibold to begin banging with his chisel and mallet and to begin to start to uncover the outline of his hero from the lump of wood in front of him.

Aunt Mildred was loudly protesting that no matter how much she might adore baby Harriet, she never gave her recipes to anyone - not even a favourite relative, 'why Hortensia if I was going to give the recipe to anyone it would be you' Hortensia smiled at her, 'you know very well that there is no way that you will ever give the recipe to anyone - I just thought that I would encourage your soft spot for Harriet!'
Aunt Mildred humphed loudly and taking baby Harriet on her knee started rocking her asleep. Hortensia took her opportunity and went to look at how Archibold was progressing.

Truth was Archibold was having a hard time of it, he wasn't a natural sculptor and however much he chipped away, the block of wood had begun to look as though a mad chipmunk with toothache had been gnawing at it. 'Let me have a go Archie, you have a rest for a minute.' Now as soon as Hortensia took the chisel and mallet in her hands, she felt an intense heat in her hands, she looked at the wood and as she stared, she was sure that she could see the shape of a hero within the grain.

Tap, chip, tap chip, Hortensia hadn't felt so excited in ages, on she went oblivious to the others gathering around to watch, and much to everyone's amazement the shape of a handsome and Noble Gnome begin to take shape before them. Tap tap tap, Hortensia felt aflame with enthusiasm, the gnome emerging was tall and lithe, his hair was streaming behind him as though he was standing tall against a wind, 'how strong he looks' she thought 'someone with heart and courage and spirit of kindness for all - a true leader of gnomes and a Keeper of Trust'.

Eventually Hortensia tired and stood back to admire her handiwork, the others gathered round cheering and clapping, 'Hortensia is a sculptor, Hortensia is a sculptor' Hortensia smiled and remembering her strange and magical dream by the stream put her hand up to her heart - following her heart was indeed the right way to go......

Sunday 21 August 2011

Bramble pie and the statue.......

'Well that's just ridiculous - fancy thinking gnomes look like that!' Hortensia stood in amazement, Aunt Mildred had brought her to her favourite old lady's garden to see the new statue that had arrived over the weekend 'they must think we are very ugly and silly looking.' Hortensia was quite affronted, gnomes are like all of us, all different and with varying degrees of gifts and talents - unlike humans they also knew from an early age - perhaps because they lived so very long - that all gifts have equal challenges. 'Really daft looking too, like he hasn't a brain in his head, humph!' Aunt Mildred was just as outraged 'it's no good fretting, what they don't know about, they don't respect and put down, always have been that way, like to think they are masters of the universe.'

'Well' said Hortensia 'I think that it's about time we made a statue of our own, something much more realistic, we could ask Archibold to carve it for us and then leave it in her garden as a gift!' Aunt Mildred gasped, gathered her cape around her (for it was turning a little damp in the evening air) 'My girl you are a true treasure -  what a splendid idea - I can see a place over there by the laburnum just waiting for a statue and right where my old lady can sit and gaze at it.' All the way back they discussed possible attributes for the statue - the height, girth (Hortensia had been most aghast at the childlike posture), attitude and of course, the crucial factor, what activity to portray.

Archibold was much smitten with the idea of a heroic pose, 'something to show them at last that gnomes are not to be messed with and are more than a gardeners joke or even embarrassment.' For Archibold in his youth, when out and about in the walled garden of the big house, had heard many a comment poking fun of gnomes and being demeaning about their appearance. 'Well if that's the case, let's have a family meeting to decide the matter, many heads are better than a few and it's time we had a bramble pie!' With that Archibold and Aunt Mildred danced a little jig of joy at the thought of the first bramble pie of the year!

Saturday 20 August 2011

A gentle wander and a little snooze............

Hortensia was standing outside listening to the leaves, it was one of her favourite ways to start the day as it was her way of catching up with all the news. The wind in the leaves told her all kinds of useful things - whether rain was on it's way, what the pace of the day was going to be, if change was likely and sometimes if the wind was strong, even the echo of the news from where the wind had been last.

Today as she stood under the old oak and listened to the leaves stirring and rustling with a sense of joyous freedom - she was grateful for the confirmation of yet another day of late summer sunshine, 'Perhaps I'll go and check up on how the brambles and crab apples are rippening' she thought, 'I'll leave baby Harriet with Archibold and that way I can have a little bit of a wander.'

Hortensia loved a gentle wander, letting her feet take her where they wanted to ramble, she had had all sorts of adventures and felt that she was truly free to be herself when she was out and about on a wander. She set off down a path through the ferns and along by the bank of the stream. As she went she felt such happiness and love for the forest that was their home She had brought a basket with her and as she passed by she started to collect the ripe brambles, a pine cone and some dry grasses What with one thing and another she soon started to feel a little sleepy. 'Perhaps a little sit or perhaps even a lie down  - just for a few minutes....' and with that Hortensia spread out her apron on a grassy bank by the stream and found herself gently day dreaming into a most delightful snooze.

The sun sparkled through the green leaves above her head and the music of the stream as it gently passed by made her feel so safe that she fell into a deep sleep. Under her the interwoven roots of the trees were busy with the rhythms of their lives - they seemed like a secret basket under the earth supporting all the life of the forest - Hortensia took great reassurance from the feeling of all that support and found herself thinking that all the gnomes should be living like the trees, each of them their own being yet woven together harmoniously for the greater good.

Hortensia woke up to hear a gentle voice speaking her name, she sat up to see who it was, but couldn't see anything but the golden sunlight all around her, she felt such stillness and peace that she closed her eyes and was sure she heard a gentle voice saying  -  'all will be well Little Hortensia, follow your heart and the way will be clear.' Hortensia came to, and thought that she must have been dreaming a most special dream, she had a sense of having been touched by something of great awe and beauty.        

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Peace in the silvery light...

'It is funny Isabel, but I feel so strong inside - like something really important is happening that I agreed to long ago." Isabel and Stephanotis were sitting on the mossy hummocks of The Sacred Circle between the ancient pines. Whenever needing space to think deeply and to feel their way with their whole being - gnomes would go to The Sacred Circle - sitting still with their feet resting on the vibrant green moss was so deeply peaceful, that all their thoughts would become clear of anxiety and a gnome's true path and the way ahead seem easier.

'Listen to the stillness, it is so precious, the poor humans don't know how hard it is for them nowadays - they are always listening to all the noises that they make themsleves and to everything apart from nature, no wonder so many of them are out of tune with themselves.' Isabel turned to Stephanotis ' We have to change now you know, we have a job to do, it is up to us to learn the memories of other times and to keep clear about what is happening now - so that the circles of history are remembered for the future - there always patterns to be known if you can hear the bigger music.' Isabel looked dreamily at the moonlit trees as their boughs seemed to sway gently in the breeze. 'See there is music all around Stephanotis and if we are to remember we had better start now!'

The two gnomes sat for a while listening with their ears and it has to be said, with their feet. They were thinking of what might lie ahead for them both and how lucky they were to have each other. Truth to tell, just sitting where so many Venerables had sat and where history was alive around them, seemed a perfect moment of wonder and delight.

'We had better be going home now, the moon is up and the path is bright with sliver light.' So with Isabel leading the way and quietly humming a gentle song, the two gnomes set off home, much relieved and full of peace.


Sunday 14 August 2011

A gentle stroll and a starlight supper......

'I know that it is a very serious thing, Stephanotis, being chosen at such a young age, but you be sure that  Archimedes knows what he is doing - of course we'll all help you, but you and Isabel have to be strong and go forward together into your new life.' Hortensia was sitting on the front steps, enjoying the last of the evening's golden light and trying to reassure Stephanotis about the day's amazing events. 'The Venerables have recognised something in each of you, you can be sure that they wouldn't have chosen you unless they had to come to deeply believe in your abilities.' She put her arm around his shoulders, 'all will be well, trust yourself and know in your heart that we are always with you, besides by the time Archibold has finished training you up - you'll be best that you can be!'

Stephanotis sighed, he had always lived by an inner knowing and just now he knew by the way that all his being felt alive - that he was excited more than he was frightened and that he was glad of the honour and the opportunities that had so unexpectedly been bestowed upon him.

'Why don't you invite Isabel out for a stroll and then to supper, that way we can all help with planning the best way forward? I'll invite Aunt Mildred and Uncle Humperdinck - if anyone has useful experience they do!'

So as the evening air grew cooler and a peaceful twilight enveloped the forest, Stephanotis and Isabel walked together hand in hand. Isabel was surprised, but not shocked in the way the Stephanotis had been, she had a sense that they were already walking a path together that had it's own music, and that their lives had been blessed by a sense of purpose. She loved Stephanotis as much as she loved her singing and the idea of a life together that had such deep meaning - seemed beautiful to her.

The stars were coming out as they walked back to Persimmon Heights, the others had started supper by the time the joined them around the kitchen table - which was just as well as the day's news was so exciting that having a little time to calm down was all to the good. Archibold was on grand form recalling how Stephanotis had burped after just one sip of Archimedes' tea, ' We have something very special to celebrate tonight - what do you think Hortensia, shall we break open a bottle of elderflower cordial?' As it happened, Hortensia had a bottle ready and waiting and soon all the gnomes were sipping the precious treat and glowing with contentment.

'Not every day that we can say that we have eaten supper with two such special friends at such a momentous moment in their lives.' and with that Hortensia and Archibold, and Aunt Mildred and Uncle Humperdinck stood up and toasted the young lovers, 'Joy and happiness all the days of your life'. Aunt Mildred was feeling a bit overcome and sat down to loudly blow her nose in her violet handkerchief, 'such a special day, oh dear, oh dear where's a peppermint when you need one?'  The others all laughed and Hortensia took the hint and made a large pot of her best mint tea!




Thursday 11 August 2011

Snoozes and a calling.............

'Oh Archibold, not so fast, I'm still trying to take it all in, what did he mean about Isabel and me?' Stephanotis was trying to keep up with Archibold who was hurtling down the steps at great speed, he was already behaving as though he was on a mission and thinking about his new teaching responsibilities very seriously. 'Lets go Lad, we'll get back to the boat and out the kettle on and have a proper cup of tea - we can have a good talk then and sort it all out.'

The two gnomes set to putting up their hammocks by the water's edge, making a roaring fire and putting the kettle on to boil. 'Perhaps a bit of toast and melted cheese might help us settle our stomachs after Archimedes' tea - might be good for the joints but always makes me feel a tad queasy.' Archibold was making a pot of his best peppermint tea, Stephanotis thought that melting cheese on toast sounded sublime, the truth was he felt a bit shaken up, so doing something useful like cutting some thick slices of bread seemed rather calming after what he had just been through.

Several mugs of tea and slices of tasty cheese on toast later, the two gnomes settled into their hammocks, they both thought the moment had come for a serious talk, but as they began to relax an overwhelming need for a snooze overtook them both. Soon the little camp echoed to the sounds of their gentle whistles and snores, Up in his tree house, Archimedes smiled to himself, 'best thing for them both - sleep always settles the spirits, young Stephanotis will feel much better after a nap - such a good idea I think I might just have a little snooze too.' And with that happy thought he settled his chin into his beard, snuggled into his chair, and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Archibold was dreaming about Hortensia, she was looking so fierce and calling his name so loudly that he woke up with a start, 'Oh my, Oh my, OH MY, I have forgotten to let her know where we are, we have been away much longer than a normal escapade, we must make haste Stephanotis, roll your hammock and stow the tea things in the boat.' The two gnomes quickly tidied up, soon leaving no trace of the little camp, 'Your first lesson Stephanotis, make time to be still and always listen for the bigger music, we forget at our peril - always the bigger harmony - no matter how deeply you are involved in what you are doing.'

As they paddled home, Stephanotis' mind was racing. A Keeper of Time and Memory, he had a feeling in his tummy that his life was changing forever, for everyone knew that meeting The Venerable Archimedes Bonaparte was a calling to action, the times required a commitment and that he had been chosen for a very special task - he felt humbled, excited and not a little awestruck.

Friday 5 August 2011

Whispers and laughter.........

'What to do, what to do Archmides - so many changes so fast?' Archibold and Stephanotis were sitting sipping their tea - truth to tell, even though he had managed not to show it, Archibold had found Archimedes' taste in tea just as odd as Stephanotis had - sipping was all the two of them could manage, and both were grateful for their large slices of Hortensia's chestnut cake to take the peculiar taste away.

'Well, well, we must remember there have never been so many humans before, Archimedes sighed, ' all of us who dwell here we must do our best to encourage nature and to keep the balance as best as we can. I have watched long and remember much and this I know now - we do not always see why change comes in the way it does, but in the long view nature will carry on and harmony is restored...... all the seasons come and go - as do we young Stephanotis.' He twinkled at the young gnome who was looking more than a bit bewildered, ' but the trees and the land - well they have their own music and we are privileged to join in their dance for as long as we may.'

As Archimedes stood up, Archibold thought how amazingly sprightly he was considering his great age. Archimedes gestured to the others to follow him and walked to the edge of the platform. As they stood looking out over the glorious and abundant greens of trees, he put his arm around Stephanotis and asked him, ' Will you come here again next Spring Stephanotis, and bring Isabel with you? Your heart brought you here today and gave you the courage to leap ashore onto this island for a reason. I have chosen you and Isabel as Keepers of Time and Memory. There is much that you will have to learn, time is turning fast now and soon you will have much to do - Archibold will explain more, not for nothing is he called Archie the Bold - prepare well, there was more than one reason for you to build Isabel her courting gift of her tree house!'

And with that he burst out laughing as Stephanotis cheeks turned a deep beetroot with embarrassment, 'Love, young gnome is what helps us break through the bonds of our hearts. My, my, Thank The Great Goodness for love.' Archibold and Archimedes started laughing and what with one chuckle and another the two of them had to sit down to relish the moment.

''Thank you for today Archimedes, we'll be on our way now, Spring will be here sooner than we know and Stephanotis has much to learn, always a joy to share an afternoon with you, may all go well with you until we meet again.' Archibold and Stephanotis bowed and started the long climb down, 'Keep listening, you will know the day, my regards to Hortensia, remind Mildred that I need more of her foot liniment.' And with that, Archimedes went back to his seat looking out over the forest - listening to the whispers of the leaves............