Critters

I was lounging on my favorite chair savoring a visual harvest of flowers in my back yard when it occurred to me that I have quite a collection of critters. I'd like to share them with you. They are made of glass, metal, wood and ceramic. Some are hiding and some are boldly in plain view. They each have their own story and they all make me smile.

Our pond animals (actually more like a deep puddle) are a parrot, frog and fish. They greet us with the first sun of each day. We have real fish in the pond but they are teeny tiny and look like miniature Buster Keatons as they scamper and scurry to hide under the lily pads when we stop by.

My husband's step-father made the parrot. He was an amazing man who helped engineer the California Aqueduct.


Our frog escaped from Sante Fe, New Mexico although I have a sneaking suspicion that he hitchhiked out of Mexico first.

Our fish was destined to be a candle holder but I saved him from that ignoble profession and restored him to his rightful place.

We also have quite a collection of cats.

Don't worry, the cat will never score. These two have been caught in a game of I-see-you-Oh-yeah-come-get-me for years but neither have made the first move.

I didn't realize my masked kitty had a missing ear until I took his picture.

And oh my, is this a frown or what? I guess handmade ceramic kitty doesn't like to pose for pictures.

If you follow my blog at all, you know my fondness for birds so, of course, they are welcome in my back yard.

This colorful guy was a gift from my sister-in-law. Much to my chagrin, she was moving into a new house and I just had to have something from the old one which I coveted. This bird used to greet guests at the front door and now sits in a pot of flowers next to my lounge chair.

Nesting in my husband's favorite Japanese maple. It's a safe, cozy spot.

One of a pair of stained glass beauties that fly outside my bedroom window.

Oops, how did this live creature get in the photos? Hummingbirds and bees come visit us often.

And this is my favorite guy. Handmade in Mexico. His dragon ears are missing but he has a wonderfully long tail and is brilliantly painted. He ferociously stands guard at one end of a table on the deck but he doesn't fool anyone. We know he's just one of the gang.

Gosh, now maybe I should share the little people who hang out with us, too. But that's for another time.