Yesterday afternoon, I spotted some vintage gnomes for sale on FB. That FB AI knows how to lure me in. The owner had them on consignment at the Rocky Mountain Antique Shop in West Loveland.
I was intrigued by their West German (pre-unification) heritage as reflected in stamped numbers on their heels.
The best I can determine is that this couple were independently created sometime in the 60s before the fall of the Iron Curtain.
But love is love and they found each other and embarked on a wonderful life together. I wanted to make sure they stayed together.
And given they were an old couple, they did not deserve to spend their golden years locked in a glass case in some shop so far from home. I felt the need to bring them both back to Casa Claire, where they can join the mystical misfits. They can also transport back home should the feeling move them.
I had passed Rocky Mountain Antiques every time I overshot my Southward turn off from CR 34 and was forced to turn around and head back east. It has that interesting bench out in front, seen in the opening photo, which has always intrigued me as both a lawyer and a novelist.
I love Curiosity Shops, which is what any Antique Shop worth its salt should call itself.
Especially if like RMA, it has cordoned itself off into small subsections where locals sell their “antiques” on consignment. You’ll find a more diverse selection in those kind of establishments. I did a quick spin through the shop and was particularly intrigued by the carved gemstone collection, but I did place my hands on numerous other items older than me just to absorb some of their energy. Each one has a story behind it.
Finally the time came to free this old mystical German couple.
Their names popped into my mind as soon as I touched them – Hans & Greta. Their names should be spoken as if by John McClane.
I’m glad I was not stopped by any first responder on my way home, or I would have had to explain why I had two gnomes sharing a seatbelt in the shotgun seat. Truth is that they refused to be seperated.
Given H & G are vintage and not as naturally hardy as the crew of concrete Gnomes that live out front on Gnome Island, although they have survived an oceanic crossing together and are almost as old as I am, I’ve decided to keep them indoors, close by the ferns in the safe orbit of my altar. Hopefully, they will keep the grans from continuing to pilfer some of my more powerful amulets that they have been surreptitiously collecting for their own practices since their arrival.
However, given that my gran, Scarlett, is having a children’s birthday party this Saturday, I’ve agreed to loan the two Teutoni out to Georgie for the event to man one of the arbor stations appearing on the treasure hunt map, spread out across the front property and the Jack the Spruce Grotto, where the children can go to see if they can find any items hidden by the Fae. The presence of Gnomes around the property keep the children honest and respectful.
I will present the couple before Claire and Honey later this morning.
Anyway, that was yesterday’s big news.
Today, thank God, is Friday.
You fine, five readers know what to do. Make a lot of noise when you arrive early at work so that everyone notices your presence, leave whatever project you completed yesterday in your boss’ email and then slip out the side door before anyone notices your gone.
The weekend awaits. Don’t waste it.
I’m heading out to cuddle some kitties and make my rounds.
And no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.
One Response
Sweet one Tom. 👩❤️👨