An homage to the Environmental Art of Sally J Smith of Greenspirit Arts and her magical visions of Faerie Houses.
Jonsi – Why Not
Daffodils and tulips pushed their way through the sleepy soil, announcing their arrival in a spectacular display of living color.
Sally ran her small fingers across their velvety petals, selecting the brightest ones for her special project. She added the jewel-toned flowers to her pile of birch bark, white willow twigs, wild grape tendrils, rivers stones and dried moss.
Each Spring, as the world around her blossomed, a menagerie of critters, feathered, furred and frog-like, would set up residence in her backyard.
Some guests were more magical than others.
Four years ago, today, marked Their first appearance in her mother’s garden. Every year since, she has sculpted a safe haven for the weary-winged travelers, each more enchanting than the one before.
Sally passionately constructed her vision from the collection of nature’s trinkets she gathered earlier that morning. She swept away a small clearing around a cedar stump and nestled a large base of bark upon it.
Hours fell away as she carefully placed each whimsical element. Under her skilled hands, a miniature house took shape, complete with a circular tower, latticed windows and moss covered door.
It was perfect.
They will be pleased.
Sally reluctantly crawled into bed later that evening, her gaze drawn to the delightful creation silently waiting on the other side of the glass.
She struggled to stay awake, but the excitement of the day weighed heavily upon her lids. Lulled to sleep by a cacophony of chirping and croaking, Sally slipped in and out of fairytale dreams as night took hold.
A tapping on her window jolted her awake.
Rubbing slumber from her eyes, Sally strained to penetrate the inky darkness.
A ripple of movement darted past the window.
Throwing her covers aside, she jumped out of bed and pressed her forehead against the cool pane.
What she saw made her heart flutter.
A welcoming glow flickered from within her crafted cottage, casting shadows of tiny wings and faerie things.
They were back.
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© 2013 Samantha Redstreake Geary
Four years ago to the day, on May 29, 2009, FridayFlash was born. Happy Anniversary to this talented writing community! May you continue to build wonders with your imagination:)
I appreciate feedback, so comment, critique or just banter to your heart’s content! Should you leave a really awesome comment, I may share my fair-trade, shade-grown, bird-sanctuary, organic coffee with you:) Or, if you leave a link to your site, I can just pop in and say something witty after polishing off a cup or two!
Oh my, I seem to be commenting as a Jack Rabbit wearing a jacket. What the heck, it works for me 🙂 You might realise that I relate to a magical, enchanting story such as this. The wee folks in my garden have read this and what the elf, like me, they loved it.
A frog hop, blog hop! Yikes and ribet. and happy fourth birthday to yet another blog hop. Help me!
A peaceful weekend to you, my friend.
Gary, looking like a Jack Rabbit 🙂
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I do think this is right up your whimsical alley, Gary! I’m certain your wee folk would LOVE Sally’s houses *hide the credit card*
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I chuckled for some guests being more magical than others! This was pleasant overall, and I had a good time with it. Glad I caught your entry, Samantha!
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Thank you, John, glad this made you smile:)
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Lol great bit of fun thrown in indeed, magic is always grand across the land.
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Feisty squirrels and garden-riffling bunnies are the extent of our magical guests:)
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Oh my. Just at these these magical by guests?
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We’re still waiting for “magical” guests to take up residence in our backyard, Sonia:)
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I like your story and your picture illustration. We all need a little magic in our lives. Thanks for sharing a little.
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Thank you! With two lil’ girls, every day has elements of magic!
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I have two boys and a girl, and they are constant sources of fun and magic. At least on good days. 🙂
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whimsical and fun. This sort of gave me a pang. I want go to her house for a sleepover
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That would be an eventful slumber party, Peggy:)
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Such a beautifully written piece, and I just love that photo which goes so well with it all 🙂
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