Gnome for the Holidays Exhibit and December 2024 Reads

Embracing the magic of December we attended the whimsical Gnome for the Holiday's exhibit at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

A Gnome was introduced by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus in the 16th century as an earth elemental. 

I have always loved the gnomes depicted by Dutch painter Rien Poortvliet. It was delightful to think of fictional societies of Gnomes and these earth-dwellers have been reinterpreted by many storytellers and artists who write fantasy literature. They are known as nocturnal protectors of Earth and as a symbol of good luck. 

The setting of their homes were amongst fresh-cut pines and a mythical poinsettia tree.

We had a lovely time there! We saw many families enjoying their time searching for items on the GNOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS list and taking family photos.

In addition to the exhibit, we went to some bookstores in Ohio and attended some Christmas Tree festivals this month. The festival in the photo below took place at an Opera House. After we left there, we went to watch a pet parade.

There were around a dozen animals that showed up for the pet parade and many prizes were awarded. Here's a photo of the costume winner. It appears everyone loves Santa Paws.

I have many things to be thankful for this month and one of them is I got an opportunity to meet and visit with author Jim Pickett. Jim is a retired school teacher who extensively researched the 1790 Battle of Kekionga. I had a question for him about a photograph that appeared on one of his book covers and he was kind enough to tell me all about it. We also discussed the Battle of Fort Recovery and his Kekionga Series which I'd purchased. 

My December posts were about 13 books.

How Far is Far? poems of Peter Hilty

Dune Road by Jane Green

The Invisible Ladder An Anthology of Contemporary American Poems for Young Readers

Happy To Be Me: An Indigo Blue Adventure by Tom Doyle

ADVANCED WALLET LIFE SUPPORT by Joshua Feblowitz MD, MS and Paul Jansson MD, MS.

Lucile by Owen Meredith

Ishmael; Or, In the Depths  by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth

Build a Better Day by Lynn Lok-Payne

A Story About Pizza by Erica D’Arcangelo

The Dragon's Glare by T.J. and M.L. Wolf

Snitchland by Tim Mulligan

Heal Your Wound: A Doctor's Guide For Hard-To-Heal Wounds by Alvin May, MD

Jim Pickett Author of the Kekionga Series 

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I wish you all a safe and joyous Holiday.

HAPPY READING and HAPPY HOLIDAY'S