We Are No Longer in Gnome Man’s Land — Do You Gnome What I am Saying?

There’s no place like Gnome; and they are popping up all over Ottawa. 
Finding one could be good luck for you.
Miniature Gnomes, about the size of a loonie, are making themselves at home all throughout Ottawa.
There have been over 400 since last June, according to their creator; who is asking to remain anonymous.
“I try to put one out every day,” they tell CTV News Ottawa.
You could call it Ottawa’s own Gnomey Banksy, but the creator laughs when asked. Read the rest here– click

Thursday January 6th, 2022.

For years I have asked– no begged for someone to do this.. It began in Oakland California when I lived there

To those interested in gnomeourism here is how Oakland did it.

From a posting I did in 2013—

There are now over 2,300 gnomes that now populate the hills and flats of Gnome Mans Land, California (Oakland). Until recently, they had pretty much managed to keep their presence a secret but then word got out in 2013 and there were fears that even Gnomeland Security might get into the act.

Word on the street is this population was descended from a shipment of gnomes bound for Oakland’s famous Fairyland in 1928 and escaped when the delivery truck tipped over.  But really, gnobody gnows where they came from. You can find them at the bases of telephone poles and they gnever gather in groups. They hate low altitudes and heavy traffic, and live off the energy found in the telephone wires.

More than a year ago, a mysterious man wanted to do something nice for his neighbours near Lake Merritt in Gnomelandia. He found some scrap wood from old fences and cut them into wooden blocks 6 inches tall, and painted the mythical creatures on them. Then he anonymously screwed (not nailed) the guerrilla installations to wooden utility poles (never trees), at sidewalk level.

The first batch of about two dozen went up in January, 2012. The artist’s greatest joy is walking the streets of Oakland (“tending herd” as he calls it) to make sure none have been removed.

A woman posted on a Facebook page:

“We need some Gnomes in East Oakland around Eastmont Mall!! Magic is something that can grow.”  Her neighborhood?  When one hears about shootings in Oakland, probably 1/3 are within twenty blocks of her home. And there’s an elementary school there with four telephone poles in front of it, two on its side.  They are getting every gnome [in stock].  She deserves them for believing in magic.”

At Fairyroom.com they figured out that “the gnomes on the streets close to the lake’s edge are wearing pants. But as the streets angle up the hill, the gnomes on the telephone poles change their wardrobe to kilts. The gnomes of Oakland’s higher elevations are plainly Highlanders, a bit of dry humor everyone heartily appreciates.”

Then one day San Francisco Chronicle reporter Carolyn Jones blew their cover. PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) spokesman Jason King said he had never noticed them on their utility poles, although he jogs around the lake. Sticking to the company playbook, he told her a crew would be dispatched to remove them from gnome mans land.

His exact words: “We can’t have anything that would compromise the integrity of our equipment. The concern is that the gnomes could inspire additional people to place things on our property.”

A “Save the Lake Merritt Gnomes” Facebook page popped up. Calls poured in. The Twittersphere exploded. Negotiations ensued.

We are holding peace talks for the 2300 gnomes in a secret mushroom patch near the Rose Garden,” said Zac Wald, chief of staff to City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney, whose district includes the preponderance of the gnome population. “People love the gnomes, and they are District Three residents.”

At the end of January there was a positive win for the little people:

“We received a great deal of public feedback, so we’re declaring the poles gnome-man’s land. We’re not going to remove them,” PG&E spokesman Jason King said.

I think the gnomes are a sweet reminder that a little magic can go a long way. I’m looking forward to the story spreading beyond Oakland – but for now, the magic remains in Oakland– because– that’s where the Gnomes are. They made my life in Oakland wonderful.

Also read- Remember those mysterious Oakland gnomes? A new batch of coronavirus-inspired characters are popping up

2016 — Almonte, Mississippi Mills, Ontario

Last week gazing at the Mississippi River in Almonte I spotted something. No, it couldn’t be! But it was!

There, all my himself was a lone gnome in the middle of the dam looking for a pirate ship to escape in because of all the Enerdu construction. I don’t blame him! It instantly reminded me of my former hometown of Oakland, California where the gnomes took over the town and became a tourist attraction in 2013. Could the same thing be happening to Almonte!?

Carleton Place Library Gnome

The proof is in the pudding my friends–the Gnomes are afoot!

April 18th 2022

Just another Easter Monday– looking for smiles– some ridiculousness, some insanity to make me smile…and I just got a comment on WordPress– I am smiling, I am giggling…I am thrilled…

From-“Me“

9 hr. ago

Just in case you were wondering, I moved from Oakland to the land of my forefathers… Oklahoma…six years ago and have been periodically busy: there are little towns all over Oklahoma with many telephone poles in need of magic too. What’s an algorithmic painter like me supposed to do? Ok Gnomes on Facebook will fill in the rest.

2013

OK Gnomes
April 24, 2016  · 

A beautiful day to visit another Oklahoma town.

OK Gnomes
July 7, 2019  · 

I put gnomes on telephone poles. Originally in Oakland, CA, now, slowly, all over Oklahoma. Why? My way of trying to make the world just a little better

Have You Seen My Gnome?

 

Today for the first time in a few weeks I didn’t have to put a hat on when I got up. Anyone living in an older home knows how drafty it can become– but add the recent arctic temperatures and it has become a challenge to keep warm. I had a smile on my face today because of the slightly warmer air and knew it was going to be a good day. I should have just stopped right there, maybe put my hat back on, and crawled back into bed.

Furnace number 2 had finally shut off for the first time in weeks, and the heating vent in the greenhouse was actually working. It was going to be the best day ever until I saw Steve’s face. He kept running back and forth between the garage and the kitchen door and would not tell me what was up until I began to look frantic.

He looked at me seriously and said,

“It’s your gnome!”

“Which one?” I asked, as I have many sizes and shapes.

It’s the little guy who whistles “Whistle While You Work” when you walk into the garage,” he said.

“I can hear him outside, but I can’t find him!” Steve said as he kept looking for the gnome that either ran away, or was ejected from his gnome by force.

You have to understand that this 12 inch musical gnome is hated by many. From the day I bought him at a garage sale for $3 and he has been talked about, as most find him quite irritating. Visitors don’t appreciate his constant whistling song when movement is felt by him in the garage. Some have even dubbed him “my house alarm”. My neighbours know of my love of gnomes, and once you go gnome, you can just never go home.

My gnome was still home a few days ago and appeared to be enjoying his dormant winter time, as really, it was too cold in the garage for him to sing his happy song. Did he become bored? I knew I had to keep calm gnome matter what. Some folks don’t understand my specific kind of crazy, but most do admire my full commitment to it.

So, there were only a couple of suspects that could have freed the gnome, but one is in Jamaica ( Perry I am looking at you), and the other two thought I was really rollin’ with the gnomes and denied any participation in the crime. Hopefully come spring  I will find him. In all honesty I marvel how loud a 12 inch piece of plastic with a waning battery can be in the snow, and hope I don’t have a gnome attack if he survives this merciless Canadian Winter.

They say that weather is like a person’s mood, which changes frequently, while climate is like someone’s personality, which is more long-term– so, to my lost gnome– “Oh Gnome I didn’t”, but the truth is out there–somewhere. I think I will go put my hat back on.

 

Granddaughter Sophia

 

Update January 21 2017

The singing gnome was heard this morning once again as a squirrel flew across the yard- he was last heard at the end of December – no idea who threw him in the snow bank, he is thawing in the sink–  He is hidden until safer times LOLOL

 

July 16 2019… he is back!!

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

Is Almonte Now Powered by Gnomes?

Don’t Cry for Me Argentina– Heart Disease, Anger and Gnomes

Is Almonte Now Powered by Gnomes?

 

 

Last week gazing at the Mississippi River in Almonte I spotted something. No, it couldn’t be! But it was!

There, all my himself was a lone gnome in the middle of the dam looking for a pirate ship to escape in because of all the Enerdu construction. I don’t blame him! It instantly reminded me of my former hometown of Oakland, California where the gnomes took over the town and became a tourist attraction in 2013. Could the same thing be happening to Almonte!?

To those interested in gnomeourism here is how Oakland did it.

 

There are now over 2,300 gnomes that now populate the hills and flats of Gnome Mans Land, California (Oakland). Until recently, they had pretty much managed to keep their presence a secret but then word got out in 2013 and there were fears that even Gnomeland Security might get into the act.

Word on the street is this population was descended from a shipment of gnomes bound for Oakland’s famous Fairyland in 1928 and escaped when the delivery truck tipped over.  But really, gnobody gnows where they came from. You can find them at the bases of telephone poles and they gnever gather in groups. They hate low altitudes and heavy traffic, and live off the energy found in the telephone wires.

 

More than a year ago, a mysterious man wanted to do something nice for his neighbours near Lake Merritt in Gnomelandia. He found some scrap wood from old fences and cut them into wooden blocks 6 inches tall, and painted the mythical creatures on them. Then he anonymously screwed (not nailed) the guerrilla installations to wooden utility poles (never trees), at sidewalk level.

The first batch of about two dozen went up in January, 2012. The artist’s greatest joy is walking the streets of Oakland (“tending herd” as he calls it) to make sure none have been removed.

A woman posted on a Facebook page:

“We need some Gnomes in East Oakland around Eastmont Mall!! Magic is something that can grow.”  Her neighborhood?  When one hears about shootings in Oakland, probably 1/3 are within twenty blocks of her home. And there’s an elementary school there with four telephone poles in front of it, two on its side.  They are getting every gnome [in stock].  She deserves them for believing in magic.”

 

At Fairyroom.com they figured out that “the gnomes on the streets close to the lake’s edge are wearing pants. But as the streets angle up the hill, the gnomes on the telephone poles change their wardrobe to kilts. The gnomes of Oakland’s higher elevations are plainly Highlanders, a bit of dry humor everyone heartily appreciates.”

Then one day San Francisco Chronicle reporter Carolyn Jones blew their cover. PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) spokesman Jason King said he had never noticed them on their utility poles, although he jogs around the lake. Sticking to the company playbook, he told her a crew would be dispatched to remove them from gnome mans land.

 

His exact words: “We can’t have anything that would compromise the integrity of our equipment. The concern is that the gnomes could inspire additional people to place things on our property.”

A “Save the Lake Merritt Gnomes” Facebook page popped up. Calls poured in. The Twittersphere exploded. Negotiations ensued.

We are holding peace talks for the 2300 gnomes in a secret mushroom patch near the Rose Garden,” said Zac Wald, chief of staff to City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney, whose district includes the preponderance of the gnome population. “People love the gnomes, and they are District Three residents.”

 

Carleton Place Library Gnome

At the end of January there was a positive win for the little people:
“We received a great deal of public feedback, so we’re declaring the poles gnome-man’s land. We’re not going to remove them,” PG&E spokesman Jason King said.

I think the gnomes are a sweet reminder that a little magic can go a long way. I’m looking forward to the story spreading beyond Oakland – but for now, the magic remains in Oakland– because– that’s where the Gnomes are.

I have been saying for weeks there must be something wrong with the water as there are so many town shenanigans going on in Carleton Place and Almonte. The proof is in the pudding my friends–the Gnomes are afoot!

Photos by Linda Seccaspina

 

Lanark County Genealogical Society Website

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News

 

 

 

 

The Elf on the Shelf — An Advent Story?

 

Photos of Elf Displays come from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum’s 2015 display– collection of Linda Seccaspina

If you want to become a millionaire, the best way to do it is create something that becomes a Christmas tradition. If you write a Christmas song that becomes a hit, that means huge royalties every year. Write a “classic” Christmas book like the Polar Express, and hopefully it will get made into movie some day.

At Christmas time, there may be no more divisive element in the parent blogosphere than Elf on the Shelf, the children’s book and keepsake turned holiday phenomenon. In just five years since the Elf arrived on the shelves, he has become almost as integral to some family’s traditions as trees, Santa and Advent calendars. How did I miss this last year?

See the original Elf on a Shelf  in the Memories of the Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue Room at the Museum. Gold ones, green ones, you name it. Would that be an original Lee Valley wooden ornament? Yes it would:)

Elf on the Shelf is actually a copy of Christopher Pop-in-Kin (1984) concept or the “Magic Elf” (1997)– which was really taken from the 60s hug me elves made in Japan– so the question is– why is it being touted as original?

Why all the hoopla?

Why the touting as “original and unique?”

Why isn’t the press questioning the whole idea? Is it because the shelf elf has a bigger budget?

The Elf on the Shelf is supposed to watch your children and report back to Santa every night if they have been good or bad that day. To top that off, the Elf moves from shelf to shelf when you are asleep. With all these elves out and about does this mean Santa really runs a sweat shop?
.A friend positioned hers on top of some lights in the bathroom and when her daughter turned the lights one morning, they smelled burning plastic. Of course the elf’s hands had melted and the felt costume was charred. Again, the kids were horrified.

A local schoolteacher said she hates those little pointy-eared ba***rds. She says the elves’ “pranks” are just getting her kids all riled up before school and thus making it very hard for her to maintain control in the classroom. Of course all the kids want to do is swap stories about what their elves have been up to.

There is no doubt in my mind we send children the craziest mixed messages! We tell them not to take candy from strangers or knock on a strangers door and then we have Halloween. We tell them not to talk to strange old men and then sit them on Santa’s lap. We tell them monsters do not exist, and then take their picture with a 6-foot rabbit.

Just this morning, someone was explaining to a 4-year old in Walmart that Santa doesn’t come to their house because they aren’t signed up for his plan. No elf for me, as I have an Advent Calendar and the advent calendar has chocolate. That elf doesn’t have chocolate, so I will just remain happy with my Gnomes– Yup– Gnomes on the Roam

!

 

Event Page– please come

The Gnome Whisperer of my Gnometown — Could Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Tuck Shop Do the Same?

A long time ago the hospital tuck shop was a well known place for bedside get well gifts and a used book or two for those in the hospital. You could always find something to express well wishes or the perfect thing to thank a nurse, doctor or caregiver for providing great care.

The tuck shop was always there to help with whatever you might need.I have been just as guilty as other residents in Carleton Place, not even bothering to go see what was new in our local tuck shop in the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital. Well my lovelies– these gals not only still carry candy and books– they have some great fashion pieces and neat things in there.

Like these Gnomes. I have one thing to say, drop in and see them: “Country Roads Take Me Gnome” and if anyone questions your purchase just say the gnomes made you do it.

To inspire you to give one of these gnomes a home– here is a story I wrote a few years ago. So drop in and say hello to these great gals at our Carleton Place Hospital Tuck Shop.

The Gnome Whisperer of my Gnometown

There are now over 2,300 gnomes that now populate the hills and flats of Gnome Mans Land, California (Oakland). Until recently, they had pretty much managed to keep their presence a secret but then word got out in 2013 and there were fears that even Gnomeland Security might get into the act.

Word on the street is this population was descended from a shipment of gnomes bound for Oakland’s famousFairyland in 1928 and escaped when the delivery truck tipped over.  But really, gnobody gnows where they came from. You can find them at the bases of telephone poles and they gnever gather in groups. They hate low altitudes and heavy traffic, and live off the energy found in the telephone wires.

More than a year ago, a mysterious man wanted to do something nice for his neighbors near Lake Merritt in Gnomelandia. He found some scrap wood from old fences and cut them into wooden blocks 6 inches tall, and painted the mythical creatures on them. Then he anonymously screwed (not nailed) the guerrilla installations to wooden utility poles (never trees), at sidewalk level.

The first batch of about two dozen went up in January, 2012. The artist’s greatest joy is walking the streets of Oakland (“tending herd” as he calls it) to make sure none have been removed.

A woman posted on a Facebook page:

“We need some Gnomes in East Oakland around Eastmont Mall!! Magic is something that can grow.”  Her neighborhood?  When one hears about shootings in Oakland, probably 1/3 are within twenty blocks of her home. And there’s an elementary school there with four telephone poles in front of it, two on its side.  They are getting every gnome [in stock].  She deserves them for believing in magic.”
At Fairyroom.com they figured out that “the gnomes on the streets close to the lake’s edge are wearing pants. But as the streets angle up the hill, the gnomes on the telephone poles change their wardrobe to kilts. The gnomes of Oakland’s higher elevations are plainly Highlanders, a bit of dry humor everyone heartily appreciates.”

Then one day San Francisco Chronicle reporter Carolyn Jones blew their cover. PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric) spokesman Jason King said he had never noticed them on their utility poles, although he jogs around the lake. Sticking to the company playbook, he told her a crew would be dispatched to remove them from gnome mans land.

His exact words: “We can’t have anything that would compromise the integrity of our equipment. The concern is that the gnomes could inspire additional people to place things on our property.”
A “Save the Lake Merritt Gnomes” Facebook page popped up. Calls poured in. The Twittersphere exploded. Negotiations ensued.

We are holding peace talks for the 2300 gnomes in a secret mushroom patch near the Rose Garden,” said Zac Wald, chief of staff to City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney, whose district includes the preponderance of the gnome population. “People love the gnomes, and they are District Three residents.”

At the end of January there was a positive win for the little people:
“We received a great deal of public feedback, so we’re declaring the poles gnome-man’s land. We’re not going to remove them,” PG&E spokesman Jason King said.

I think the gnomes are a sweet reminder that a little magic can go a long way. I’m looking forward to the story spreading beyond Oakland – but for now, the magic remains in Oakland– because– that’s where the Gnomes are.

Photos by Linda Seccaspina

Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Fact:

The Auxiliary to the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) has dedicated caring members. They donate an average of 20,000 hours per year in support of the hospital. The Auxiliary has made a commitment to raise $1,000,000 over the next ten years through its fundraising activities. The people and businesses in our community are to be commended for their generous support in helping to make this happen, and we thank you!

The Gnomes are Hiding in the Cadbury Creme Deviled Eggs

I have a bestie in the UK that is following our Carleton Place Blog. She is going to add some neat tidbits here and there.  They don’t have Nanaimo Bars or Date Squares in the UK, so next time Victoria will share how she fared out baking Canadian.

Welcome Victoria Norris.

Here is how she describes where she lives.

Well, I live in Ely (pronounced to rhyme with “wheelie”) but there is also an Ely in Wales, so I always write it as “Ely, Cambridgeshire“, or I suppose you could call it “Ely, England” just to avoid any confusion. This is going to be great fun!

Last week I posted a picture of Easter Flowers on Facebook and she posted one of her Spring displays in England.

This is our local Walmart in Carleton Place

AT THE ADSA STORE IN THE UK

Gnomes in the UK trying to take over Ely

Gnomes in Carleton Place chez moi hiding out from Winter.

Enough of the Gnomes and the Flowers–Let’s Eat!!

 Cadbury Creme Deviled Eggs

From Serious Eats

• 4 Cadbury Creme Eggs, chilled for 1 hour
• 1/2 cup vanilla buttercream, colored yellow with food coloring
• red sprinkles, to garnish

Procedures

1. 1Unwrap your first Cadbury Creme Egg. Give it a long, hard look and ask if it is ready to meet its destiny.
2. 2Using your very sharp knife, gently slice the egg in half lengthwise, following the seam that keeps the two egg halves together. The egg should separate into two separate halves fairly easily; each will have a dollop of fondant inside. Leave the fondant inside of the egg halves.
3. 3Using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, pipe yellow buttercream in a spiral so that it covers the entire exposed inside of each egg half (directly on top of the fondant). You’ll use about 1-2 teaspoons’ worth of frosting per egg.
4. 4Garnish with red sprinkles to mimic the look of paprika.
5. 5Repeat with the remaining egg halves.

Carleton Place- The Happiest Damn Town in Lanark County

For the Facebook Group:

• The Tales of Carleton Place and Just a Little Bit Farther Up the Line

Tilting the Kilt, Vintage Whispers from Carleton Place by Linda Seccaspina is available at Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street, the Carleton Place Beckwith Museum in Carleton Place, Ontario and The Mississippi Valley Textile Mill in Almonte.  available on all Amazon sites (Canada, US, Europe) and Barnes and Noble

Insane Interview With the Travelocity Gnome’s Cousin – Cyril – Zoomer

 

Insane Interview With the Travelocity Gnome’s Cousin – Cyril – Zoomer.

 

“Two years ago I interviewed Cyril the Gnome, who is the first cousin of the famed Travelocity Gnome. Cyril’s taco truck is still sitting in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and has been invaded by elderly hippies. They have already changed the name of the truck to:

 “Would you like this truck on your party?”

Thankfully, I managed to contact him through E.S.P  to continue this Q and A that I began 2 years ago. No, I am not on drugs, this was actually this week’s Zoomers writing challenge.”