Please forgive the lag in the recent excitement. I know it may seem to you that I have forgotten that you were waiting to be introduced to my summer guests, The Gaelic Gnomes. But around here, it has been anything but dull!
After their arrival, there ensued a bit of a fuss. Thank goodness we have that all ironed out. (I’ll explain later, but part of it was due to the preferences of one of the gnomes (who shall temporarily remain nameless.) (He preferred to NOT be here. He said he had seen enough of the prairie when they arrived. He wanted to turn around and return immediately to the “Old Country.” Thank goodness, the other one — a bit more mellow in nature — was persuasive.) We worked out a compromise. I said that they did not have to stay for the family festivities over the Mother’s Day weekend, if they would please please return. They decided to make a quick trip to Oklahoma City where a Worldwide Garden Gnome History and Folkloric Convention took place in the Myriad Gardens. (It was a secret location there, so don’t ask. Possibly invisible.) Well, how could I refuse, as they said they would return with much more amazing information in Gaelic History and Folklore.) Besides, the ornery sensitive gnome said he didn’t care what I thought. Twenty of my family members in one weekend would be too much to ask of any gnome to meet. And there was that little issue with my dogs. But, I digress — I will explain it all later.
May I please introduce you to my guests:
This is Seamus.
He is very patient and thoughtful. He specializes in Gaelic History (mostly due to the fact that he’s been around for several hundred years, although he won’t say exactly how long, and he’s seen a great deal of it for himself.) He will share as much information as he can remember, while they are here this summer.
You will notice his pet snail, Snickers, who is his constant companion. Seamus usually carries Snickers everywhere they go, but Snickers occasionally insists on crawling by himself. (So that’s where they came up with the term, “at a snail’s pace.”) Thus the reason I will allow much more time when we have to be somewhere if Snickers is to be allowed to crawl. And thus the reason Seamus wins an award in my book, for his mountains of patience. (Which really is astounding for one so small.)
I will mention here, that Seamus asked me to underscore that they are not just common Garden Gnomes. They are of the teeny, tiny, faerie variety: Gaelicus Gardenus Gnomedus Faerieordae Minisculus. Very rare. (This of course, tripled my delight to have them here.)
This is Finn:
Finn, by all appearances, seems to be what you would call, laid back. This is, however, an illusion. The cogs in his teeny tiny brain never stop. He promised Seamus that he would just agree to disagree with me. I have learned very quickly that biting my tongue treating him with the utmost respect and care, even if he does swear frequently in Gaelic Gnomish, is the best remedy.
It is all going to be worth it, however. Because Finn has received the highest education and awards with honors for his research in Gaelic Gnome and Faerie Folklore. (He asked me to call him Dr. Finn, but Seamus said that was ridiculous, and he wouldn’t allow it.) Finn covered his mouth with his hand and stifled a giggle.
Finn asked me to please express his delight in being here (I think I might have seen Seamus elbow Finn’s side at that moment,) but mostly he wants to know if he can please dig through my storage shed for abandoned bits of copper pipe and tubing. He says he is going to have to construct a small still, as what passes for Scotch Whiskey in these parts is not fit for consumption and he thinks it’s going to be a longggg summer.
Well.
I know now that just because gnomes are from the British Isles doesn’t mean they drink tea.
Nevertheless, I am thrilled to have them here. I do realize that this is a very rare opportunity. I can hardly wait to share more with you, so much has already transpired.
But I’ve got to go. Finn is yelling something in Gaelic to my little schnauzer and Desi is yelping.
Leave a note if you like, with your well-wishes for Seamus and Finn!
(You may follow the entire adventure by clicking on the Category — Tea and Tales.)
Miss Cynthia :^)
Your Gnomish guests are lucky to have such a clever hostess. I hope their presence brings some Gaelic rains to our part of the world. And perhaps they will pipe you a merry tune.
Mary Lou,
Thank you for stopping by and taking a moment to comment! ;^) The Gnomes and I appreciate it.
;^)
Rains would be nice, but I wonder if I could talk the Gnomes into using a little of their garden magic to mow my lawn first. ;^) Then I would dance a little jig and pipe a merry tune myself. ;^)
Miss Cynthia ;^)
It’s a good job they told you they are Gaelicus Gardenus Gnomedus Faerieordae Minisculus. I would have said they looked like Gaelicus Gardenus Gnomedus Faerieordae Infinitessimus but they must know what species they are. And I’m not surprised they need to make a still – tea on the plains is a bit much for a wee gnome used to the the best Highland Malt to have to cope with.
I have to say I don’t blame Seamus and Finn for ducking out of meeting twenty of your family. No disrespect to your family but twenty of anyone’s relations would be a bit much to cope with!
I’m sure Saemus and Finn will delight in being with you (whatever Finn may say) and no doubt there will be some merry pranks ahead. (Whether the dogs will consider them merry pranks is another matter.)
Enjoy your stay both of you,
Scriptor
All of a sudden things are becoming clearer. I can be a bit slow at times.
John,
When I shared your Infinitessimus point to Seamus, he said, “Minisculus, Infinitessimus … all the samus. What is he? An expert in Greek or something?”
“Well,” I said, “actually, someone who goes by the name of Scriptor Senex must know something about it.”
“Pish-posh,” Seamus said.
Then, he walked over the still where Finn was working diligently and kicked a copper pipe. (They are a little anxious for the Highland Malt to hurry and distill, although I am not sure that rushing the time will bode well for the quality of the malt.) Finn said that there was nothing to worry about. A bit of magic would be involved on all accounts.
I have to agree about the reference to family — twenty is too much for someone with years of experience with the relations, much less a new one.
I’m sure you have hit the nail on the head with the merry pranks. Lively occurrences are in overabundance. ;^)
Thank you very much!
Miss Cynthia ;^)
GB,
I’m glad this post cleared the mists for you. ;^) I must say that I stay in a near state of constant muddled-ness. (See?) I’m even inventing words now. ;^)
Stay tuned for more bewilderment.
;^)
Miss C