The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines troll in two ways.  As a noun, a troll is a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills.  As a verb, to search for or to antagonize others by the deliberate use of inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content.  We will be working with the first definition (even though some of our trolls may be a little antagonistic to others...)

Most scholars agree that the word 'troll' originated in Norse and Scandinavian folklore.  They mention trolls as nature beings that dwell in isolated mountains, caves, or burial grounds who live together only in small family groups, and are rarely helpful to others.  A troll's appearance greatly differs based on who is telling the story (Depending on those few lucky people who survived an encounter and how hungry the troll was that day).  Trolls have been described as being ugly and slow-witted, or common looking and very shrewd.  It is because of the lack of a definite description of appearance that trolls may appear in all forms, shapes, and sizes.

So, why our interest in trolls?  It is because one was just spotted in the Realm of Wymsy.  What kind of troll is it you might ask...  Well, before we can answer that question, we need to talk to Passporte' to see what he has discovered about them and has written in his journals.

​“Growwwlll…”

​“Who’s there?” he stammered.  With only hearing another loud growl, he slowly starts to back away from the bushes.  Just then a long snout pokes out!  It was a long purplish nose that had two dark eyes above it looking back at him.  Stumbling as he continued moving backward, Sprout glanced down and also saw some very large feet sticking out of the bushes.  This was definitely not a tree or anything he had ever seen before!

​Hungry continued, “Do you think they would share some of those delicious smelling cakes you were singing about?”  Now this surprised Sprout, first a talking Dragon, but secondly, one who was wanting the same thing he wanted.  “You are not going to eat me?” asked Sprout.

​“Do you taste good?” answered Hungry.  “I normally don’t like green food.  I would rather try some of the delicious smelling treats instead.”

​“I have never thought about if I taste good or not.  I don’t think I do, so, let’s get some of the Sugar Plum Muffins instead,” he told the Dragon.  “By the way, my name is Sprout.  What’s yours?”

​“I am Hungry.  You remind me of a friend of mine.  Do you know Meen?  I was with her before the Shadow King sent me with a Nytemare to find my teacher here in the Shadows’ Realm.  I got hungry on the way and somehow lost my guide.”  As Hungry’s stomach grumbled some more, louder than before this time, Sprout was starting to realize that maybe he had found someone who had a sweet tooth as big as his.

​“Let’s get some muffins and you can tell me more about your travels here.  Maybe Meen will come by while we are at the bakery.  Sometimes we meet there before we go out for some fun,” Sprout told the Dragon as they started off to the bakery.

​“It’s getting close to dinner time.  I am taking you to my home to see if dinner is ready and I am sure that mom would like to meet you.  Maybe she can help you find your teacher,” answered Sprout.

​“And maybe help me find my pillow?  I really miss it…”

In all affairs of the heart, the Bellwether likes to pride itself as an equal opportunist for those that wish to express themselves in the language of Love. 
​As such, this week's edition of the Bellwether is devoted to the Ladies.

Who will be brave enough to come forth in their adventure of looking for Love?

Valentines Day is coming and love is floating in the air - who else will cupids arrows strike?  One of the few immune to this Valentines Day holiday is Sprout.   He can't figure out what all the hallaboo is about with squirrely giggles and fluttering butterfly kisses.  So where is he?  Parsley still has not found that boy...

"... so, apparently these letters will continue until Valentines Day.  I wonder who will be in the next edition of the Bellwether," she thought to herself.  "I wonder... do I date... I mean dare?"

Have you dropped in to the Tutorial page yet under the Projects & Tutorials section of my website?  It is there that I share my dream with a dash of inspiration as to why I decided on what I was going to do in regard to painting my new character, Sprout.  Sprout is just full of creative energy and he suggested to me that I shouldn't be afraid to take those "leaps of faith" by getting in front of the camera myself to show you what I do.

Magic, just like Sprout, can also be very hard to capture.  Even when he has been (the mischievous character that he is) a fountain of ideas.  He already knew I like playing with the video special effects and thought to entice me with a little shower of fairy dust to show off his face.  Sprout isn't a shy Fae at all if you haven't figured that out yet *smiling*.

In the meantime, while his head is going through the multiple firings to fix each painting stage, I decided to start on his body.  Sprout shared that he wants his body to be more unique than what I would normally do for one of my characters.  He is a Fae and wants to show his body off after all.  I decided to be different and create his body with needle-felting.  Now needle-felting isn't an art form that happens quickly (especially for larger projects).  It can also involve blood, pricked fingers, and a slight stab or two.

The Sugar Plum Bakery was his new favorite place (especially when they were cooking) to hang out.  He licked his lips in anticipation as he waited for the muffins to appear.  "Ah, the sweet smells of all of those goodies just waiting to be eaten," as he licked his lips once more. ​

​“Don’t worry,” Parsley told her as she stood and began to clear the table of dishes.  “We will be informed when they do, but in the meantime, our next step is to do a little magic of our own.  Finish up your tea and remember to leave just a little in the bottom so that we will see what the tea leaves tell us.”

​“Stay put Efem and finish your tea,” Parsley told them.  “I will be needing your cups shortly.  Think about the Dragon before you finish drinking.  That will help when I read your tea leaves.”  It only took a couple of minutes before Parsley had the table cleared and returned to her seat.  “Now, let’s see what we can find out.”

Parsley could see that Efem was getting concerned.  “Let me see if my cup can tell me more about the searchers."  Closing her eyes, she placed her hands on her teacup.  As she opened them, she turned the cup over and looked in.  "One of the searchers is not of the Fae nor of the land while One is the land.”

​“Parsley, I am confused,” Cornelia said.  “What does that mean?  One not being Fae nor of the land can only mean an outsider I would assume, but how can one be the land?”  “I don’t know,” replied Parsley.  “I am just as confused as you are.  Efem, any ideas?” 

Parsley stood and started to the cottage door.  "I'm going to run down Sprout!  He needs to join in here to help look too!"  Efem and Cornelia looked at each other.  "Who's Sprout?" they thought.

​“Please sit while I brew some tea for us to drink.   Afterwards we can see what the leaves can also reveal to us,” said Parsley as she motioned for Efem and Cornelia to sit at her table.  “I have a nice herbal tea here I would like you to try.  It is my own special blend I call Chameleon as it changes flavors as you drink it."

​​It is amazing how by not saying a word, volumes can be implied thought Efem.  Taking a calming breath and the hint, she sat down at the table to await the tea.

Parsley turned away from the sisters and stepped over to the stove where she had a pot of hot water already simmering.  She then took down her teacups from the cupboard and reached for her special blend.  This she added to the steaming water and stirred in a silent wish as she turned back around with the pot of tea.  Pouring the tea to everyone and taking a sip, she started the conversation.  “Now, from what you have told me of the young Dragon, you both think the first problem is to find him before anyone else does.  Is this correct?”

​“Yes, we need to find him right away before anyone discovers he is a Wish Dragon,” answered Efem, frustrated and impatient to be started and not sitting here talking.

​Cornelia continued to sip her tea and decided to try one of the muffins that Parsley has brought with the tea.  Efem looked over at her wondering why she was not agreeing with her.  Cornelia continued nibbling on her muffin and just smiled at her as she turned her gaze to Parsley.  "Parsley, these are delicious.  Mind giving me the recipe?  I am sure Nemmer and The CAT would love some of these."  Efem was starting to simmer and about to boil over from their apparent lack of concern, when finally Cornelia, taking mercy on Efem, asked Parsley "What do you think we should be doing?"  “Finally,” thought Efem.

​“Oh, I have already started.  The Mushroom Line has been informed to find the Dragon as a priority news item.  Anything involving the Dragon is to be reported immediately.  They already have a few reports but nothing substantiated yet,” replied Parsley.  “Do you really like the muffins?” she asked Cornelia.  “They are one of Mrs. C's recipes.  I just whipped them up for Sprout.  He really likes them.”

​​Efem was stunned.  These were just the things she needed to hear.  That everyone was  working together to help find the poor lost little Dragon.  She also realized that she truly had missed her old friend and started to glow with joyful feelings.

Parsley, seeing Efem starting to glow at her words, started to blush.  She too had missed her childhood friend.  To hide the blush, she lifted the pot of tea.  “I will get us some more tea.  Then we can see what the leaves also have to tell us about this young Dragon.​"