The Curious Visitor

Today began with all the normal things…Exercise, coffee, getting dolled up (or not), clients, e-mail, blogging, phone calls and the decision of how to frame this wonderful old print.

But then…The strangest tune, a curious melody calling me… It was coming from outside…

                        

I peeked outside and saw nothing.  But then, the little flutish tune again.  I went to the stairs, and looked down at the stone walkway.  There is where it all began.  A strange little visitor.

                        

He wore a sign.  It said…

                        

"Hello." Then a very strange script or symbol. "I live with you, Please."  "I am   Knowme" (pronounced, Know – me).

I was confused about how  Knowme got here,  and why he wanted to live with us, although lovely as it is, he was leaving his whole world behind.  Just then the "yard sale acquired dog, previously named Baby" appeared and helped to explain to me what Knowme had gone through to get here.

          

Knowme was born in a warm land called Jinktinblab that had a garden with the most exquisite and magical flowers and trees.  He was a craftsman making toys and dolls for the Jinktinblab children.  One day Knowme was at the beautiful Jinktinblab Ocean trying out the new toy boats he had made.  He saw something floating in the waves,  a bottle. 

There was a note in the bottle. It read, "Job Openings at the North Pole, looking for master toy makers, job includes warm cushiony velvety bed, all the food you can eat, buffet all day everyday and paid vacation of 60 days – off between April and May."

                      

Knowme thought. Wow, that is for me. So he built a boat that could sail in the water waves or in the waves of the wind.  He said sad good-byes and sailed off to the North Pole.  But it was cold. It was dark. And there were many many master toy makers there. Knowme didn’t like the pressure.  He stayed for 2 weeks.  He had heard from another master toy maker of  a place called Catalina Island.   You could live in a tree, look onto the ocean, and all these large creatures, called humans, would buy all your toys straight from you as they came off the boats.  Well, Knowme had dreamed of seeing the faces of people buying little toys directly from him like in Jinktinblab, instead of through a middle man, like at the North Pole.  The next day he headed off to Catalina Island.

                           

Alas, the Voyage was rough. He caught the wrong wind.  He was taken to Catalina…But not Catalina Island.  Instead he found himself in Catalina, Arizona.  He crashed into a rose bush in "The Secret Garden at Songbird Lane."   Baby was the first one to find him…Knowme asked if he could stay.  Baby told him there would be quite a  trial to undergo at the Secret Garden.  There were many garden keepers to clear his stay with before he could even ask me if I would allow his stay.   As there was no way his boat could make it any farther and he had lost his magic tools along the way he decided he really wanted and needed to live at the Secret Garden. So, the trial began…

                        

His first step was to go passed the giant cactus who guards the  "Tree of Life" herself. She is awaitin

g the birth of new limbs for Spring and is in a very fragile state.  She told him to go talk to the guardians at the crossroads who would lead him to the poet who had lost his head.  He would know the answers.

                        

The guardians at the crossroads told him "Yes, you must speak to the headless poet, but if he is in a bad mood because of his headache, he will send you away. You must hope and pray that he is well today and will lead you to the "Sanctuary of Faith."

                           

The poet was a bit cranky, but delighted that a master toy maker would be visiting the Secret Garden and could possibly assist in the attachment of his head…So, he approved Knowme’s visit to the "Sanctuary of Faith."

                         

Knowme, being of peaceful voice and simple gestures, impressed the guardian at the "Sanctuary of Faith." They granted Knowme one chance to perform a huge feat, climbing to the top of the mine-less winding miner’s windmill.  They encouraged Knowme and allowed his guide, Baby, to take a few pictures at the sanctuary, for his scrapbook, of course…

      

So, they were off to find the Towering Windmill. However, there was one more catch.  Knowme had to take a sample of the air at the top of the Windmill to the Gatekeeper at the "Peaceful Buddha Aloe Garden. "

                           

Knowme succeeded.  He was now on his way with the sample of air, to prove his desire to live at the Secret Garden, to the Gatekeeper of the "Peaceful Buddha Aloe Garden."

                        

Knowme spoke to the Gatekeeper. And over his shoulder, Knowme caught the hint of a gentle smile from the Buddha.  Knowme had made it. 

                         

Now, Knowme  had to play a special tune, in order to get my crazy fast-paced attention…And he did…

                        

I think Knowme will be a creatively positive asset at the studio.  He is of course, a master toy maker, you know.  I decided to introduce him to Peckles, at the Orange Tree Village.   Knowme is staying for now…We are making some creative decisions in the studio and working on framing that lovely old print.

               

      

The only thing is, Knowme has one burning request of me…And I am not sure I will make the right decision. I need your help…He wants to change his appearance…He says he likes bright colors and lots of stripes….Got any Ideas????Hope it is safe and sound for Knowme here.  I told him we would go on lots of adventures….we will see….

Off to the studio. For real this time…Oh and I am going to try to make a three layer Birthday Cake for someone… V