His name is Otto and he lives in a big old maple tree in our backyard. He only comes out at night, or so I am told. But I happened to snap a photo of him when he was sneaking a peek outside his tree home during the daytime.
Otto is a Gnome, pronounced “nome.” Otto is Norwegian, named after my Norwegian father-in-law, Otto Olson. When I married Ruth, I didn’t realize, I should have, that I was not only marrying a wife, but I was marrying a whole bunch of Norwegian traditions including such foods as lutefisk (no comment), lefse (OK), krumkake (quite good), almond cake (tasty), and rosette cookies (really good at Christmas time).
But back to Otto with his pointed cap, big ears, and impish grin. In Norwegian folklore, Gnomes protect the farmsteads, the animals, the buildings and of course the people from harm. They do this at night when the people are sleeping. Some believe that Gnomes reward people with good luck and happiness. I’m counting on Otto to do this.
Gnomes themselves have a cheery disposition. They are always smiling and carefree—hoping some of their internal happiness will rub off on the people around them. Ruth received Otto as a Christmas present. With winter hanging on, I suspect he’s taking a long nap. I’m waiting for spring so Otto can do some of his magic.
THE OLD TIMER SAYS: Even if you are not Norwegian, I believe everyone can benefit from having a little Gnome in their lives. I know I’m counting on it.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, March 21, 1:30, Columbus Community Center, Columbus, WI Sponsored by Columbus Public Library and Wisconsin Historical Society Press.
Saturday, April 11, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Speaking at 3:00) Middleton Library.
WHERE TO BUY MY BOOKS AND DVDS.
Books that tell the story of my farm: The Land Still Lives, Old Farm: a History, and Roshara Journal All are available from the Friends of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose—a fundraiser for them. Phone: 920-622-3835 for prices and ordering.
Patterson Memorial Library
500 Division Street
Wild Rose, WI 54984
barnard@wildroselibrary.
www.wildroselibrary.org
If you travel to the western part of the state, stop at Ruth’s home town, Westby and visit Dregne’s.. They have a great selection of my books for sale, or order a book by calling them at 1-877-634-4414. Or visit your local bookstore.
1 comment:
I return to your blog on occasion (when my teaching job allows) and have read much of your work. I even took the opportunity at a convention once, to hear two of your presentations back when Old Farm was first published. I certainly enjoy how you write, but I enjoy what you write about even more. I did get a chuckle today as I read about your Gnome. You spoke of your wife's ethnic ties to the gnome. Did you know that if you go back into history, the Norwegians called their "little people" Nisse? At Christmas time they became Julenisse. The Germans more commonly referred to their little people as Gnomes. The southern part of Norway has stronger Germanic ties than the north, so your wife's family reference doesn't surprise me. (I worked at a Norwegian museum for ten years, lived there for two, and can trace my lineage back to Kjelboten, Norway) So when you look out at that little fella in your tree and wonder what mischief he might be up to, remember he's as much a part of your history as he is your wife's.
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