[stylist] gnomes

[James H. "Jim" Canaday M.A. N6YR]

Lori and others,
first I can say that Wikipedia has a good page on gnomes and most of 
their more recent references after mythology.
just go to Wiki and type gnome into the searchbox.

here's a very good page and it'll have some good images for you too Lori:
http://www.fairiesworld.com/gnomes.shtml
however, I think female gnomes are a fairly modern conception.

going back to "earth dwellers" and other terms, gnomes date back to 
greek mythology, and show up in various names and forms  from german, 
british, finnish, and other european cultures.
they are inevitably short, very short, wrinkled or ugly, live very 
long lives.  they guard underground treasures or keep 
knowledge.  usually bearded but not always.
in the game Zork
www.xyzzy.com
or also called "adventure," three gnome characters show up, all in 
underground settings: a gnome who provides a lost wanderer some 
useful information; a carpenter gnome who can build things; and a 
banker gnome who has access to vast riches.
gnomes are mischievous, troublesome, but also often insightful.

in posting blogs on my newspaper's website, and posting comments 
under articles, I appreciate my anonymity.  I am  a gnome on there, a 
gnome with a beard.
hint: I am rather short, have a beard, mischievous, and think I might 
be sometimes insightful.
haven't found that derned treasure yet though!

if someone is selling a house, they may use a garden gnome 
statue  for supposedly gaining good luck by burrying him upside down 
in the yard.


now you know about gnomes.
jc
Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS