Outdoors, I have a small menagerie of fairy statuary. Small in size and small in number. I think 6 or 7. They're hidden amongst the roses, hibiscus and plumbago bush just under the computer room window. I like fairies and the fantasy connected to them. It seems that, as far as I can find, the origin of the folklore tales hail from Ireland. And to some, they are considered Pagan in rituals and belief. Whatever they are, and wherever they 'came from'...I still like 'em. And I, personally, think they're cute, whimsical, and perhaps a shade ornery. But, who's counting. When I spied these in the garden shop the other day, I couldn't resist. There were three different sweeties; I picked up two. Took 'em home and set them outdoors. Two days later, I tested 'em. You see, I'm not going to keep them outdoors...they were, for me personally, purchased for indoor decor, even tho they are called 'garden stakes' and supposedly 'weather proof'. They're costly, and I don't want them faded or ruined in any way. But, after outdoors soakin' up the sunshine ---there was a method to my madness. You see, they're not only beautifully handcrafted, they're also SOLAR ---
and--- fiber optic!!! See what I mean? Check 'em out:
Since they're so pretty and colorful, I went back and bought the third version. The third one is dressed in purple. But I haven't had time to get it outdoors to soak up the solar power ---no sun the last couple days. She remains in her box out of harm's way for now. By the way, I'll be adding the third to the other two in due time...I have them in a huge basket with trailing wisteria...using them for a night-light. The optics will continue to work through the night from 8 to 10 hours before a recharge is needed. And the color array is just pretty darned cool, too...red, green, pink, orange, blue, purple and yellow. And not a 'disturbing' motion nor overly-bright...it's pleasant and peaceful movements. I slept like a log. LOL
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Tina, at Tina's Picstory has a challenge for this week´s topic. It is *black & white* ---
According to Wikipedia [one of my favorite sites for researching] the origin of mermaids are as follows: "
The first known mermaid stories appeared in Assyria, ca. 1000 BC. The goddess Atargatis, mother of Assyrian queen Semiramis, loved a mortal shepherd and unintentionally killed him. Ashamed, she jumped into a lake to take the form of a fish, but the waters would not conceal her divine beauty. Thereafter, she took the form of a mermaid-human above the waist, fish below—though the earliest representations of Atargatis showed her as a fish with a human head and arm." And according to legends and sightings of such a creature was first reported and established in the 17th century. But, what BLOGGLES my mind is as early as
this year [link], there was a registered report!!! Could it be that mermaids do exist?!!! "
In February 2012, work on two reservoirs near the towns of Gokwe and Mutare in Zimbabwe stopped when workers refused to work there, claiming that mermaids had hounded them away from the sites. The claim was reported by Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Water Resources Minister".
There are several gift shops and souvenir
tourist traps stores on the islands. But, one in particular is such a wonderful fabulous place to find the unusual and very unique items for sale. I love to go there once in a while to check out the 'seaworthy' trinkets such as wind chimes, glass dolphins, etc. Bud likes to go searching for a new mermaid. Being the Navy guy that he is, and the legends of Navy/sailors seeing and becoming part of the folklore of mermaids, he has a small collection. Well, we haven't stopped at this store for over a year's time, and last we were on the island, after combing the beaches without much luck, we stopped there before crossing the causeway to the mainland. There, he found a treasure [pictured above made into 'black and white' from a color photo *inset* --she's pewter and heavy for her size - perched on a glass globe]. By the way, the store is called Sea Treasures, I believe. If you ever get to my neck of the woods, and get a chance go to the several islands that make up the sand barrier...I'd recommend this gift shop. It's not difficult to find either...
there is a colossal mermaid fountain that covers the entire store front. You can't miss it.
By the way, the very store mentioned above also had a small container filled with blown glass hearts ---you know me and everything 'heart shaped'....well, the little sign above the bin had posted "Mermaid Kisses". Keeping us both happy. I had to get one. They're very tiny as you can see...fitting between my finger and thumb! Oh, and they came in every color imaginable! Put THAT in your pocket...a kiss from YOUR mermaid!
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