My Brambles

Getting a little spit and polish...

3/24/2020

To start at the beginning of this story, click here.

Hewy entered the potter's shop, not for the last time did he wonder how a potter was going to help him with his 'look'. He noticed the cave was extremely warm and wanted to compliment the potter for keeping it so nice and toasty when he spied a doorway in the back of the cave opened. He could see various ovens and fires glowing red with heat behind it.

As Hewy continued to look for the potter, he spied different pieces of pottery in all sizes and colors encircling the space he was standing in. Then a small Gahnome appeared from somewhere in the shop rushing from shelf to shelf and pointing to the pottery.

"Whatchaneed? Wegottalotsofstuff. Youbuywesell," she said. It took Hewy a minute to realize what she was saying, it was all so fast and without any spaces. As he paused trying to piece it out, the Gahnome continued as she pointed towards the exit, "Gotslotstodo, soifyouain'tbuying, outsie."

As the Gahnome started to turn and scurry away (scurry is the only term Hewy could think of since she moved so fast), Hewy knew that he would need to speak quickly or lose his chance. "I have been sent here and was told you could help me get a new look," he told her. For the first time the Gahnome stopped and stared at him. It was an analytical type of stare, one that when the starer is done, you feel as if you have been taken apart piece-by-piece and examined with nothing left to hide.

"Ihavenotdonethisbefore - butIcouldtry," the Gahnome snapped with her quick decision to help Hewy. "Drinkthis, Iwillgettapaints." She handed Hewy a cup of hot chocolate (how she had it to give to him he still doesn't know - but it did taste good), turned and disappeared to the back of the pottery shop.

"I wonder where she is going?" As Hewy sat drinking his hot chocolate, pondering his problem, his cup caught his attention. It was a ceramic cup that had been clay at one time (like himself) that was now a different color. Maybe that was his answer. When the Gahnome returned, she was carrying several bottles of colored powder paint, a brush, and a small trowel. She then started to tell Hewy, (in her rapid fire speech), about the special paint that was applied to clay and then fired in a kiln to make it permanently stick. This was the answer to his problem and since trolls don’t mind a little heat, he made a deal with the potter to color him up.

After several hours of being painted and then warmed up in the kiln (to Hewy it was the best sauna experience he had had in a long time), the results were astonishing. He now had a new look, a little more split and polish appearance, and did not appear so drab anymore. But was he done?

He felt heady with his new look but was this enough? Shouldn't he have some type of sign to capture this fire ritual he just experienced? Maybe even a tattoo?

I want to be a Rock Star... (continued 2)...

3/16/2020

To read the first part of this story... click here...

As Hewy the troll continued to remember those events that shaped his outlook on life, he let his mind roll back the stones of time. He remembered how he had started out on his adventure with his head in the clouds and a pocket full of dreams. Hewy knew that to find the right beat to get into a band, he might need to start by getting a new look.

As he kept rolling those thoughts around in his head as to what that look could be, it had become late in the afternoon. Questions continued pounding around in his head looking for answers, but the sun was beating down on him and the babbling brook running along the path did look so inviting... what would it hurt to stop for a short rest? Sitting down by a cool pool of water, he tried to answer one of those nagging questions. “Am I too plain to play music?" he asked himself aloud. "What type of spin am I going to have to put on this pointy head of mine in order to find my rhythm?” Wanting to look at his face to determine what would it take for his new look, Hewy leaned over the edge of the brook.

As he leaned over to take a look at the reflection of his face, he heard a voice.

"Yep, you do look a little bland,” the voice said.

Hewy jumped and looked around but there was no one there although he could hear something that sounded like bubbling laughter.

Again he bent over to look into the stream, and again the voice spoke to him. “Go visit the Potter. She will help you find what it is you are looking for.”

Hewy suddenly realized that maybe the voice was coming from the brook (after all, they aren't called babbling brooks for nothing). Nodding his head, he decided to test his theory by asking what direction this potter lived.

“Go down the stream until coming to a bend. Take the high road to the left and over the next knoll you will find the potter." Realizing that the brook was indeed helping him, he thanked the brook and set off to find the potter. (Incidentally, it wasn't until many years later Hewy found out that the brook did not really speak to him, it was two Pyksees hiding in the cat-tails trying to get him lost (pyksee-lated)... but that is another story).

After many hours of walking down the stream and still not finding the bend in the brook nor the high road or the potter, Hewy figured he was truly lost.

Deciding to rest his tired feet for a few minutes, he chose a large rock near the stream to lean against. As he put his hand on the rock, he heard a loud voice holler "What are you doing putting your hand in my ear?"

Startled, Hewy looked around, but again did not see where the voice was coming from. "If you touch me again young troll-odyte, I will not be very happy," Hewy heard the voice again say. Walking around the rock, Hewy discovered his mistake. Instead of leaning on a rock, he had found another troll, and not just any troll, but an 'Ancient One'. After apologizing several times to the 'Ancient One', Hewy explained he was lost and could the Ancient One help him find his way to the potter. With a rumble and a roll, the Ancient One told him the directions and sent him on his way. (Actually, I think the old troll just wanted some peace and quiet and figured that was the fastest way to get rid of Hewy).

After crossing a field and turning at the edge of the forest, Hewy found the trail to the potter's shop. "Right where the Ancient One said it would be found," he though. "I wonder how the potter will help me with my look? Oh well, I won't find out by standing at the door step. The sign does says that the potter is in, so in I go."

How DID Hewy get his name???

3/8/2020

I am standing here pondering.

Would you like to know 'what' I am pondering?

Would you like to know the story behind Hewy's name?

I want to be a Rock Star...

3/2/2020

When the wind blows, the ripples across the pond bring the tales of the Trolls upon them. The river sprites and creek faeries are very familiar with the trolls for they often come across them as they travel under bridges. One of their favorites is the troll called Hewy. He may be grumpy on the outside but they know him to have a heart of gold.

The sprites and faeries have known Hewy for ages but then time doesn't means the same thing to a faery as to a human. Time moves even slower for a troll for where do you think the saying "old as the hills" came from.

When Hewy started out, he was just a piece of clay that was molded and shaped by Mother Nature and Father Time. He rolled around for a quite a while before settling down under the bridge that he now calls home. Though the Wind and Rain liked to beat on him and wear him down a bit, he has stayed strong.

But when Hewy was just a troll-odyte, he wanted to be in a band. It was a dream to be on the cover of the Rolling Stones. So he left his hometown of Boulder and hit the road. He knew it was going to take a lot of hard work to get himself to the top of the heap and he had to have the right look. That might take a little more than spit and polish. It might be a trial by fire that brings Hewy to the level he needs to be so he can shine. But then one of his favorite sayings is "a rolling stone gathers no moss". So no time like now to begin, and that is how Hewy ended up heading out on his adventure.

Searching for Trolls...

2/24/2020

In my recent travels, I had heard about a unique and strange race of beings called ‘Trolls’. I could discover little information except for a few rumors and reported sightings. But after studying one of the journals that Furnace the Mayor left behind from his travels as a youth, I was able to gather enough clues as to where they may be found and I decided to find them.

According to Furnace’s journal, he had met a troll who had lived under a bridge. This troll would require any traveler wishing to cross the bridge to answer a riddle correctly. If the traveler did not, they were in danger of being eaten by the troll (unless the traveler had something else to give). Apparently hungry trolls love the taste of goat's milk and Furnace had a travel bag with some. He did not say in his journal if he answered the question correctly, but somehow he was able to spend some time with the troll since it did not have too many visitors and apparently was lonely.

After several days of travel, I was able to finally locate the bridge and speak to the troll. His name is Hewy and he does love goat's milk. But what he loved more was being able to spend hours talking to strangers as lonely as he is. We spent several days together and he told me much about his ways and of the trolls which I wrote down in my journal. He also surprised me when he told me about a story of ‘Love’ and his discovery of what the word meant.

I left him the goat's milk I had brought (just in case I needed it) with a promise to return and learn more about him and his kind. As I was walking back from his bridge, I did notice that several foresters were clearing away a new road towards his bridge and hopefully this lonely troll will start having new visitors that he can meet (and hopefully not eat)... I did tell the foresters that they may want to carry an extra bottle of goat's milk when working near the bridge.

To read about trolls in Passporte's Journal - click here.

A Short Missive on Trolls...

2/17/2020

When the word “troll” is spoken each listener pictures a different creature in their mind. Is the image a cute, cuddly, doll like creature (such as the troll dolls of the 1960’s) or a rock creature that can crush with a single blow of its powerful fist?

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.

Troll stories also differ as to if sunlight turns them to stone, are afraid of lightning, and loves to eat goats. Then, of course, there are the modern version of the troll. Movies as well as role-playing and video games have created a whole new bunch of types of trolls. There are now trolls made of sticks, stones, fire, water, ice, rubber, and so on.

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.

How to find a growing Sprout? Think with your stomach...

2/11/2020

“Too bad this place is so far away from the house,” mumbles Sprout as he is halfway to the Sugar Plum Bakery. “It takes so long to walk here that by the time I get back home, I am hungry again.” Strolling through the bushes, thinking about those sweet muffins he will shortly be eating, he starts singing a little ditty about sweets. He decides to take a shortcut that he has used many times hoping to get to the bakery that much quicker. As Sprout approaches the edge of the brambles, just before the bakery, a loud noise catches his attention.

“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!

Just as Sprout was ready to scream and run away, the purple nose pushed through the bush and Sprout found out that it was attached to a Dragon. A Dragon that was licking its lips. “I’m Hungry,” the Dragon told him. At this moment, Sprout decided this would be a really good time to run like the wind.

Now, keep in mind that Sprout had not been told about the Dragon that everyone was looking for, so he was not too happy to find a Dragon standing in front of him, especially one that was licking its lips.

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.

A little while later as the two of them walked down the trail away from the bakery.
“… as I was saying before," Hungry continued his tale, "then the King sent Meen on an errand and I have not seen her since. Scarlet showed me that Nytemares have shoes and then the King told me that he was going to send me to a teacher and that I could keep my pillow, which I lost in the woods,” Hungry explained to Sprout as he smacked his lips while eating the muffins from the bakery. “By the way, where are we going to now?” asked Hungry

“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…”

Letters from the Lovelorn Ladies...

1/27/2020

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?

My Roots Run Deep...
Don't hide your light under a bush. Are you someone I can grow closer to? If so, then long walks along the garden path and dancing in the moonlight are just the things that will bring out my glow of happiness. Meet me at the Entrance of the Sacred Grove at the next Full Moon to see if we are kindred souls.
P.S. Must love cats and Giggle Juiceberry cookies.
~~Share with me the beauty of nature,
 Efem, Tree Mother of the Sacred Grove

Come Sweep Me Off My Feet...
I am a homebody at heart and looking for someone to share the hearth with. We will spend magical evenings lounging by a spotless fireplace. Or if being well stuffed after one of my dinners in a well-scrubbed kitchen is more your idea of romance, I have been known to whip up something delightful in a moment's notice.
A game of matching the last sock out of the wash is one of my all time favorite matchmaking games.
Dust the negativity out of your life with me,
Granny Flare, House Brownie

Do You Believe...
As a Dowager, I excel at ruling over a large table of guests, but nothing warms my heart more than a lovely intimate dinner for two. If good food prepared by the best Brownie cook with stimulating conversation and dragon flames glowing in the sconces on the castle walls; followed up by a tasty dessert is your type of wish for a Valentine evening then *RSVP below.

(*RSVP - Reserve Seating with a Very special Person)
In friendship,
Griselda, the Dowager

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...

Letters from the Lovelorn...

1/21/2020

"Morning is my favorite time of the day," thought Griselda. "I can enjoy the latest edition of the Bellwether and have my fresh cup of tea in peace."

"Now where is that section that Sneefle was telling me about? Something about the Baron placing a letter again this year," she remembered as the Dowager turned to the Lovelorn page of the newspaper.

"What's this? Be My Valentine?" Apparently every year the newspaper publishes a few of the letters it receives from the locals looking for love... "and this year is no exception it seems," Griselda mumbles while perusing the page.

Would you be my Valentine?
If you love the enchantment of romance, we can go for long walks in the starlit Moon Garden where the flowers of love bloom. We could even go along the paths where the Pyksees play as I give you rides in my wheelbarrow.
If this sounds like your type of evenings, then please respond through Snail Mail to the address below.
~~~Looking for a Dream
Gardner, the Garden Brownie

Can She Hear Me?
I have given my heart to a raven haired beauty who awaits by the docks each morning to watch me teach the fish how to sing. She calls to my soul as I sit by the old fishing nets that I don't use anymore. We talk for hours of the wonders we have seen and the places we both still wish to go. I write in hopes that this letter finds it's way to her so that she might know of my love that is deeper then the deepest ocean.
~~Looking for his Soul Mate
Ichthy, the Fae Fisherman

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places...
A lady who is ready for an adventure is whom I seek. Where we would go and what we would do does not matter as it will be a new experience since we will be doing it together.
Sharing my love for animals (all sorts of strange creatures) would be nice and having the ability to talk to dragons isn't a requirement (but could come in handy). Please have any health/life insurance paid up before our first date.
~ Looking for a Partner in Love & Wonderful New Adventures
BATS, the Baron

"... 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?"

What the heck is fuzzy body paint?

1/12/2020

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.

What does that mean? I hope to do some needle-felting "painting" on his body. That means I will be using small pieces of various colors to add dimension to his body.

So, as I am getting Sprout in shape, don't forget to check out the tutorials or maybe stop in for other magical fun. He tells me that perfection can't be rushed so this might take a few...