Good morning, everyone,
In June my husband and I had a serious water catastrophe in our house and we had to move out entirely during the restoration. Since we couldn’t be there, I was rather worried about the lack of loving energy in the house (because I’m that sort of woman), what with the sounds of the demolition and all going on, and I decided to get a Gargoyle to protect the house and I put him in the garden where I thought he would be happy. He is surrounded by a plethora of Knockout Roses and Hydrangeas and Forsythia and Lilacs and Magnolia Trees and tall ornamental grasses. And a birdbath. One has to have a birdbath.
I made a public post about my new little friend on July 14th, to which the divine and wonderful Colin Lucas-Mudd responded with an Ode to Gregorio, who was, in fact, named by his wife, Donna Lucas-Mudd. Gregorio is pictured on the right below, and he wishes to express his profound thanks to Donna for his name and to Colin for these lovely words:
Ode to Gregorio
When winsome Gargoyles sit and wait,
‘Neath the hydrangeas shady,
They oft times dream of conversation,
With their owner lady.
It’s rare, ‘tis said, by those who know,
That Gargoyles want to be,
In a high-traffic area, near a door,
In this they’re just like thee.
Now of all the Gargoyles that exist,
O’er mountain, hill, and ocean,
Just one, Gregorio, stands apart,
For his love, his eternal devotion.
I just got back from checking on the restoration only to discover that a huge hydrangea leaf had grown over Gregorio’s face. He was quite miserable and mad at me, and so I won back his good graces by getting him a friend, who is pictured on the left.
She, too, is very sweet, although she has a bit of a grumpy demeanor, because she doesn’t understand the madness in our country at the moment and finds it quite a bit of work to keep everyone’s spirits up. Not to mention that Gregorio, being a boy, seems to expects her to do the bulk of the work now. Isn’t that the way of it always? A woman’s work is never done, even if you are a Gargoyle.
Colin Lucas-Mudd was kind enough to compose an Ode for Gregorio’s new companion, lest her grumpiness increase and turn into jealousy. I’ve pulled his Ode out of his comments below and am including it here so I have everything all in one place. Thank you, Colin, for the name, and apologies Donna Lucas-Mudd for rejecting Giovanna as a first name, but I’ve made it her middle name (Now I’ve started trouble with Gregorio). Ah me.
Pandora’s Prayer
Yes, the hydrangea was a hassle,
It’s growth was unrestrained,
But kind Giselle fixed with a snip,
Now My joy is back—maintained.
And my love shall grow, of this I’m sure,
In the joining of our souls,
When Romney loses in the fall,
A victim of the polls.
Then I know, when justice wins,
When the people rise and act,
We’ll guard the garden, home and hearth,
‘Tis not hope, my friends, ‘tis fact!
My original post about Gregorio is below, should you be curious.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Giselle
https://plus.google.com/104028329852681318179/posts/1L1vjSfe9b
August 26, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Good morning Di Cleverly. Aren’t they, though?
August 26, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Sweet post, Happy Sunday Giselle Minoli
August 26, 2012 at 2:32 pm
I need one!
August 26, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Giselle Minoli, she is sweet! She does look a bit dismayed and perplexed with her plight: trying to understand the state (and states) of this country, what in the world is happening in this world, and–in the smaller scheme of things–her new role in your garden, with Gregorio.
I think she looks like a Gianna, Giannina (since she is rather small), or a Giovanna. Hmmm… will think some more on this. Colin Lucas-Mudd, what are your thoughts?
August 26, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Hi, Eveline Aebi Donna Lucas-Mudd has promised she will work on naming him (no pressure there, right?)!
Katherine I _Every_ woman needs a Gargoyle! Hi Krissy Rios Villegas
August 26, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I very much like Giovanna and Gregorio. I was more than slightly afraid Donna Lucas-Mudd that you would suggest Grizelda. Thank you for not doing that! You are the bee’s knees (as Giovanna would say…).
August 26, 2012 at 2:35 pm
They look wonderful and should get along well with the wood sprites 🙂
August 26, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Maybe I need a gargoyle, to chase away the inner demons, ah, but then I would have nothing left to write about. They are very nice though, always liked them.
August 26, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Thank you so much Giselle Minoli for allowing me to compose a companion piece for Gregorio’s sweet companion. I sense a certain political pragmatism and, thus, have taken the liberty of expressing this in verse.
Pandora’s Prayer
Yes, the hydrangea was a hassle,
It’s growth was unrestrained,
But kind Giselle fixed with a snip,
Now My joy is back—maintained.
And my love shall grow, of this I’m sure,
In the joining of our souls,
When Romney loses in the fall,
A victim of the polls.
Then I know, when justice wins,
When the people rise and act,
We’ll guard the garden, home and hearth,
‘Tis not hope, my friends, ‘tis fact!
August 26, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Truthfully they scared me as a child until I understood more about them. There were a few times I dreamt them “attacking” our car as we escaped some kind of unseen danger. However, now I know better. What a beautiful addition to your home…it is time I found the right one for ours Giselle Minoli 🙂
August 26, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Ah, Colin Lucas-Mudd ’tis so perfect. Giovanna (and Pandora) must also be Sagittarians. For is to become of we women if we are not ever hopeful, no matter what obstacles stand in our way.
You and Donna Lucas-Mudd are The Bomb! Thank you so much.
Expresses what is in MY heart exactly. ‘Twould seem the Female Gargoyle doesn’t fall too far from the Owner Lady’s tree!
August 26, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Pandora’s Prayer
Yes, the hydrangea was a hassle,
It’s growth was unrestrained,
But kind Giselle fixed with a snip,
Now My joy is back—maintained.
And my love shall grow, of this I’m sure,
In the joining of our souls,
When Romney loses in the fall,
A victim of the polls.
Then I know, when justice wins,
When the people rise and act,
We’ll guard the garden, home and hearth,
‘Tis not hope, my friends, ‘tis fact!
Whoops +Donna Lucas-Mudd. I had thought Pandora. With you 2,500 miles away I’m sorry that we did not consult. Clearly though, it is Giselle Minoli and Gregorio with whom the decision rests. I really like Gianna. Giselle?
August 26, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Thinking on it. Colin Lucas-Mudd I hasten to add that had you given me many seasons of Hydrangea growing I would not have been able to pen one single line of an Ode to anything.
Your magic with the English language astonishes me. Truly.
August 26, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Thank you Giselle Minoli. Although I doubt the veracity of your statement, the sentiment is both kind and appreciated.
August 26, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Giselle Minoli, how nice to be called ‘the bee’s knees’ and be part of ‘the bomb’!
You are a very special person. Definitely a Sag, with your ethical and spiritual perspectives, and perhaps a slight metaphysical bent. From a Pisces, here.
It’s a pleasure to contribute.
August 26, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Quite possibly Scott Wilson quite possibly.
August 26, 2012 at 4:39 pm
good evening Giselle Minoli 🙂
August 26, 2012 at 5:39 pm
I have always been fascinated by gargoyles. Some day I shall have one! Until then, I shall enjoy yours, Giselle…
August 26, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Colin Lucas-Mudd and Donna Lucas-Mudd Giovanna has stuck with me. Gregorio has whispered in my ear…
Jennifer Tackman _They_ don’t mind being shared!
August 26, 2012 at 7:25 pm
They are rather a bit anthropomorphized, aren’t they Eveline Aebi? Maybe their guardian task is a bit daunting. But I’ve introduced them to many people, who are charmed by their presence and I think (as long as we don’t tell them about the brown bear that goes out into the middle of the cornfield for a midnight nosh) that they’ll settle down in due course. I mean, to be honest, even I take time to adjust to new surroundings!
August 27, 2012 at 5:10 am
They are pretty winsome, for gargoyles.
August 27, 2012 at 7:21 am
Gosh, what impressively sweet faces!! Your heart just goes out to them immediately. 🙂
August 27, 2012 at 10:44 am
Good morning linda colman and Daniela Huguet Taylor. You have both made Gregorio and Pandora blush. They have asked if you happen to have any Gargoyles of your own and have offered to ask around for volunteers if you should ever need any protection or cheering up or perhaps a bit of garden grumpiness for good measure every once in a while!
August 27, 2012 at 10:48 am
I (very sadly) do not have Gargoyles, but having seen yours, have noticed that this is a very intolerable situation that should be remedied as soon as possible.
August 27, 2012 at 10:52 am
Colin Lucas-Mudd…. you win! Pandora it is. The Ode is too perfect and Gregorio’s new friend visited me while I was sleeping and said she was quite honored to be called Pandora and that, besides, not every name has to start with a “G” and could I and Gregorio please just get over ourselves already. So…everyone, meet the “winsome” (thank you linda colman) Pandora.
August 27, 2012 at 11:02 am
Eveline Aebi My husband has not yet seen them in person because he hasn’t been at the house since the water catastrophe, but he’s seen these pictures and smiled the big smile (he does, however, think I’m a complete loon).
August 27, 2012 at 11:06 am
… and loved you a little more. 😉
August 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm
You ladies might be pleased to know that Gregorio sits under a Hydrangea, while the divine Pandora, who needs her own space, has the Front Porch all to herself. A Porch of One’s Own. Virginia Woolf would have approved.
August 27, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Thank you for the update Giselle Minoli. Given her full initials, PGM—Pandora Giovanna Minoli—and her powerful personality, I feel sure that it will not be long before the Professional Gargoyle Movement holds its inaugural convention in your garden. I look forward to seeing the pix as the Pixies wait. Make sure that you have your camera ready before the visitors all Gnome.
August 27, 2012 at 2:38 pm
They are both delightful, and winsome. Sadly, I have neither garden nor gargoyles of my own. I wonder If St John’s Cathedral has any for adoption.
August 27, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Why thank you Eveline Aebi. It’s why I prefer writing for children. The imagination is so less cluttered and fantasy unbounded.
August 27, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Jodi Kaplan I think that is a very great possibility. I wonder how many Gargoyles are atop New York City?
Colin Lucas-Mudd for what it is worth I understand that female Gargoyles are becoming a significant voting block, in that they have hidden influence and work their magic at night when the men are sleeping.
Eveline Aebi clearly you have a quite eager to get out of the closet fantasy life. Perhaps you were a Dryad or tree sprite in your last life.
Colin Lucas-Mudd I am convinced, was high priest of a poetic leprechaun clan.
August 27, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I believe that, as with the human population of the Earth, the gender balance is within a fraction of a point of 50:50 Giselle Minoli. Unlike humans, many of whom lack ‘humanity’, eons ago all Gargoyles were created equal in terms of voice and voting rights. As such, the female of the species knows her power. Of more importance, she knows that it’s real and how to use it.
May I suggest that the first item on the agenda of the inaugural PGM be propagation of the species and increased education of their human co-inhabitants.
August 27, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Colin Lucas-Mudd do I have your permission (and blessing) to begin the official Professional (Progressive?) Gargoyle Movement here on G+ in support of women, children and gargoyle enthusiasts everywhere?
August 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Good Grief Giselle Minoli. Not only yes, but Hell Yes! Please let me know of any way in which I can help. Obviously grass roots canvasing here in the Santa Cruz mountains. Donna Lucas-Mudd would do the same in Philly, unfortunately she broke her ankle over the week-end and will be restricted to aetheric communication for a while. Just let me know.
As to the question, I prefer Progressive. Progress in the aims that I see you have in mind for the association is long overdue.
August 27, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Ow Donna Lucas-Mudd! Blasted tree roots.
August 27, 2012 at 8:50 pm
La Donna Lucas-Mudd of the broken angle. Silly. What have you done to yourself? I ‘spect it’s to make His Royal Santa Cruz Highness miss you more. (We Gargoyles are clever, aren’t we?)
I have this stuff, called Zyflamend (tested at Cleveland Clinic and Columbia)…it really is the number one selling herbal remedy in the country and is a super duper anti-inflammatory. Given your “switch” to integrative things you might know of it? At any rate, I think it might benefit your GarAnkle! It’s filled with all sorts of herbs, in just some magical way that makes it quite potent. My husband, an orthopedic surgeon uses it, loves it, and shakes the bottle at me to alert me to their being only a few capsules in the jar and that it’s time to buy more!
August 27, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I wonder if that might help my ankle (I sprained it earlier this year, but it still aches when it’s going to rain; in my case the culprit was a trampoline).
August 27, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Jodi Kaplan virtually everyone I have told about Zyflamend who has tried it and given it two weeks has reported positively about it. There are the gel caps and there is am and pm. I actually buy both and use it morning and night (there is some herb in the am that is a bit of a stimulant that is lessened in the evening capsules or something). I have had a couple of things it has helped me through…a complicated surgery on my right hand and a recurrent dance practice induced strain on my left hip. It is my wonderful drug, with none of the side effects or body drugs included in commercial anti-inflammatories. It can’t hurt, right?
August 27, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Cool! Any particular brand/source?
August 27, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Zyflamend is made by New Chapter and I think you can get it at any healthfood store, virtually. Whole Foods carried it Jodi Kaplan.
August 27, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Giselle Minoli Eveline Aebi Jodi Kaplan You beautiful fellow female Gargoyle enthusiasts! Thank you for the kind wishes regarding the ankle. I wish I could report that the injury was a result of dancing in the New York ballet, or at least on table tops somewhere fun, but, alas, it was due to collapsing from a severe reaction to a strong dose of niacin–of all things! No more of that for me!
I know of Zyflamend and we have taken it. It is a really good product. Thanks for the reminder of it, Giselle. My body is getting more and more sensitive to pharmaceuticals and even some supplements.
Perhaps if I dance with the sprites, Gargoyles, nature spirits and elementals, it will heal quickly! I will try this…
August 27, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Thanks, Giselle!
sending healing gargoyles to Donna Lucas-Mudd
August 28, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I am not yet home to do my own post, but wanted to alert you all to the divine Wordsmith, Colin Lucas-Mudd’s Ultimate Ode to Gargoyles everywhere. We ladies (and our GarGents) are being summoned to a grand and glorious cause. Read on:
https://plus.google.com/100324134371388101482/posts/P6uuEBrKnE9
August 28, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Already shared and all. 🙂
August 28, 2012 at 11:11 pm
You are a dream GarGoyle Daniela Huguet Taylor!
August 29, 2012 at 1:16 am
Giselle Minoli, I am happy to report that I went out today to purchase Zyflamend. Will be much better tolerated than the prescription strength naproxen for me! Thanks again for the reminder. And I am poised for the GAR Goyles gathering!
August 29, 2012 at 1:48 am
Brilliant Donna Lucas-Mudd The Gargoyle Gang wishes you a speedy recovery at the hand of Garflamend! Oh dear. I think I’m getting just a wee tad carried away with “Gar” imagery. Such is my wont, however. Not one for hyperbole Moi! (Shhhh…..)
August 29, 2012 at 2:15 am
Giselle Minoli, I’m getting carried right along with you! Love any silliness.
August 29, 2012 at 2:47 am
Must be the reason you are known as “Silly” Donna Lucas-Mudd.
August 29, 2012 at 2:48 am
But funny thing about silliness Donna Lucas-Mudd (and Colin Lucas-Mudd)…the silly stuff ends up being quite serious and the serious stuff quite silly. In Gargoyle Land things are not what they seem. ‘Tis the way of females…
August 29, 2012 at 3:00 am
Now that Giselle Minoli is a perfect demonstration of your humanity, wisdom, remote empathy, and intuition. Chapeau!
August 30, 2012 at 1:04 am
Giselle Minoli, I echo the words of Colin Lucas-Mudd. Oh, such wise words! So here’s to all things ‘silly’ and to all the rest of things becoming ‘silly’. The only way to live in GarLand!
August 30, 2012 at 1:42 am
Donna Lucas-Mudd Sigh. Actually, I rather think that life underneath one of my Oak Leaf Hydrangeas would be quite lovely and peaceful.
August 30, 2012 at 1:46 am
Giselle Minoli, yes. There you can invite all forms of silliness, and/or peace into your life. Oh, for the simpler more balanced life! We’re working on it, we Goyles.