Barker's Flower Fairies...

 British-born Cicely Mary Barker began creating her delightful fairy

images in the first half of the twentieth century. She was born in 1895 

and became a published artist in her sixteenth year. She went on to 

publish seven books featuring her fairy images prior to her death. 

I recently purchased a pristine copy of "The Complete Book of the 

Flower Fairies". It is a compilation of all of those seven books, 

and I couldn't be more tickled to add it to my library. It's so lovely.

 Her plant and flower images are botanically accurate, and those little

fairies are so captivating. I could look at them for hours upon hours.

 The seven original Barker books become individual chapters in this one.

There are myriad endearing fairies for every season, fairies of the garden,

fairies of the trees, fairies of the wayside...and

 Fairies from "A"...

 to "Z".

In addition to all these splendid images, there are accompanying poems

written by the author. Her graceful children's images, combined with her

words in poetry, make for a sweet glimpse into a more innocent time.

As I take in 189 pages of her words and images, it's easy to believe that

these charming, little fairy children actually live among us. One can hope.

Tuesdays With Tag - About Gnomes...

 Hi, Everybody!

Today I have a literary and information post to share with you.

 I'm going to tell you about one of Mom's favorite books.

Mom told me all about it last weekend and they're pretty interesting.

 The original book is on the right and it's called "Gnomes".

The book on the left is called "The Gnomes Book of Christmas Crafts",

but I'm not going to tell you about that one this time.

 Mom has had "Gnomes" since 1979...waaaayyy before I was born.

It's like realllyyy ancient!

It was written by Wil Huygen and Rien Poortvliet made all the pictures.

 It says in this book that man gnomes weigh about 300 grams. 

Mom said that's just over 10 ounces. That's not very much.

Heck. I weigh 32 pounds!

Lady gnomes weigh a little less.

 Mom told me that all gnomes love and care for animals. They help 

injured creatures, and even feed and care for abandoned babies.

I bet they'd let me help!

I know I'm a fairy dog, but gnomes are kind and sturdy

 like me, so I'm just positive that we'd be good friends, too!

 Most gnomes live in Sweden, but this map has red areas to show where you 

can find gnomes in North America. Apparently, they don't like tropical areas, 

because I don't see a single red spot in Florida, but there are lots of spots up north! 

Mom said it's not uncommon to have one cross your path if you're hiking in 

the woods or taking a walk in a wide open field! Just follow the animal tracks.

 The book tells about other magical creatures, too, because sometimes

gnomes are confused with other magical beings. There are pictures of elves 

(which remind me of fairies), but there are also goblins, dwarfs, and more!

 Elves are not mean, but they can be mischevious and are highly intelligent.
I wonder if they'd get along with my fairy friends or if they ever have parties together?

Goblins are mean and everyone should avoid them. I know that gnomes sure do!

 Then, there are uldras and trolls. Thankfully, uldras are few 'cuz they're

the worst! Trolls, on the other hand are much more abundant.

This is what the book said about them:

"Stupid, primitive, distrustful and unbelievably ugly creatures...

They often keep boxes full of stolen money and jewels, with which

they play for hours, running their fingers through them."

The book says most of them live across the ocean in Russia, Norway and

a few other Scandinavian countries, but Mom swears that she's also 

seen them outside their natural habitat, in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

She promised to make sure that we never cross paths with nasty trolls!

Mom also read parts of the book to me that told about what gnomes like to

do for recreation. They like to make pottery, weave baskets and make

cloth. They weave their own blankets, sew clothes, build their own houses
and rely on each other to create just about everything they need to live!

They're kind and enterprising little people. I'd love to make friends with some.

I know Mom said they don't live in Florida, but I'm gonna keep on the lookout

 for them, just in case. Maybe a couple will come from Sweden to Florida to visit?

You can just figure I'll sniff around every little tree stump to see if I can find any

 sign of them at all. and when we go to Wisconsin, I bet Mom will be able to find

 a couple and introduce me to them. I want the gnomes to know that they have

 a friend in one of the fairy kind...me! So, I'll be on the alert to find one or two.

'til then...

"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"

A Corgi Fairytale...

from Heartbridge on Etsy

I recently found this theory of how Corgis came to be and wanted to share it with you. It was written by Kim Campbell Thornton. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Queen Mab clapped her hands.  "I am bored," she cried. "Let us take our steeds and go for a ride."

Instantly before the fairy queen appeared a small red and white dog wearing a gold collar and bell. On his back was a tiny saddle made of the finest leather and chased in silver. Similar dogs appeared to other members of the fairy court. They each mounted their enchanted dogs, and led by Queen Mab and her huntsman, Dark Edric, they rode out of the hollow hills. By the light of the moon, they flew through the forests of Wales.

Suddenly, one of the fairies gave a cry. His steed had brushed against a trap set by poachers. Made of iron, its touch was deadly to fairy folk, and both the courtier and his little dog were laid low by its power. The other fairies gathered round, yet keeping their distance lest they too be struck down by the cold bite of iron. "What shall we do?" said Queen Mab. "We cannot leave them here to die."

A small, hesitant voice broke the silence that followed her question. A human boy peered from behind a tree, his frightened sister at his side. "If you please, your majesty. I can move the trap away so that it won't be touching them anymore," he said. "And my sister knows herbs. She may be able to ease their pain."

"What are you doing out at this time of night, boy?" the queen demanded. "Do you not know that the night holds many dangers for mortals?" 

"My father is a shepherd," the boy replied. "Our best ewe is lost, and without her we shall surely starve."

"Heal my friends," the queen said,  "and I shall repay you many times over."

The boy and his sister tugged at the heavy trap until it was far enough away to do no harm. Then the girl gathered white oak bark and blackberry leaves. Wetting them in the stream, she made a soothing compress. With their rapid healing powers, the fairy and his dog steed were soon well again.

Fezzik

Taggart

"I promised you a reward, boy," Queen Mab said. Twice she rang the golden bell that hung around her dog's neck. Two red and white puppies appeared. They were low-set, strong and sturdy, with dark eyes that gleamed with intelligence. "These are fairy dogs," Queen Mab said. "They are swift and clever and true, and they can herd cattle, as well as sheep. Treat them well, and you shall never lose your livestock again." Then she clapped her hands and the entire fairy court disappeared, leaving behind only the two pups.

The shepherd's family prospered, and the fairy dogs gave birth to puppies. The Corgis as they became known - from the Welsh words cor meaning "dwarf" and gi meaning "dog" - were highly prized throughout the land for their herding ability. As a mark of their fairy steed origin, they all bore saddles or harness marks behind their shoulders. 

And on Midsummer's Day, if the dogs were a little tired for once - as they so rarely were - the shepherds simply nodded their heads wisely. They knew that every Midsummer's Eve, the fairies returned to ride the Corgis so they would never forget where they came from.