The naming of the Gnomes.

I love yard gnomes. From the way they look to the "lifestyle" they promote, I love everything about them. Plus, living in Clintonville, I really feel that they just belong in my garden. The downside to loving gnomes is the constant searching for them. I'm very picky about my gnomes. I don't much care for the standard, cookie-cutter gnomes that I've found at places like JoAnn and GardenRidge. I like real gnomes... ceramic or concrete (not that plastic or resin crap) painted in bright colors (I own one that is an exception to this) with happy, smiling faces... just good ol' fashioned GNOMES. This is apparently impossible and too much to ask for. Where are those yards with loads of gnomes, cement geese, and other yard musings along the side of the road that I used to see all over the place when I was a kid? I want those gnomes! (I know all of you know what I'm talking about... the wooden cut-out bent-over ladies showing their bloomers, wooden silhouettes of cowboys, shiny 'gazing balls'...)

I wanted some gnomes so badly, that I put my stipulations aside and settled for some that I at least feel present themselves well. I've had these few gnomes for about a month now, and I've been racking my brain for names for them. Well, I finally did it. I officially named all my gnomes. I was watching something on tv once that mentioned it was bad luck to not name your gnomes, and after a little bit of thought, I totally agree. Would you not name a child or a pet? A gnome is the protector and guardian of a natural space - mine are the guardians of my veggie garden - and like many other inanimate things I own, I think of them as being "alive". For those of you who know me, my teddy bear, Theodore Edward Bear (Ted E. Bear), might ring a bell. If this is true, I couldn't imagine not naming them. So in honor of the naming of my gnomes (the Gnome-nclature, if you will,) I am dedicating this post to them. There are three - Basil, Peter, and Oliver - that are not pictured, but they'll get their time to shine as soon as I get some photos of them (They're a little shy yet... they'll come around.)

Now presenting The Gnomes of 256 Crestview... *drumroll please*...

Fredric, harvester of greens.

Thaddeus, guardian of seedlings

Peabody, preserver of vines.

Simon, collector of acorns.

Welcome!