For The Love of of Aunt Rose 11

Mozzie and Nolan arrived at 9:00Am. They were introduced to Kitty and Gordon. Aunt Rose was dressed in a long black summer skirt and white blouse. She carried a lightweight silk shawl sprinkled with tiny roses. Her hat was a wide summer straw with one vibrant red rose. She also carried her small purse, a 12 x 12 box and a small sturdy paper bag with a handle.

Mozzie helped her into his comfortable truck. Nolan sat in the back seat with the box and bag.

Mrs. Peabody and her daughter, Ginger were only twenty-five minutes away.

Mrs. Peabody had a perfect pair of rooms. The tiny sprigs of lavender on the wallpaper caught your eye immediately. Her furniture white with a pinstripe of gold. The soft carpeting in the bedroom area was a light moss. Lavender outside pervades through the open window. One felt safe and peaceful in these two rooms. The other room had her collection of books, pictures and a few delicately embroidered cushions and blankets on her loveseat. A hutch filled with exquisite china pieces complimented the living area. There was a large enamel vase filled with fabric Sunflowers. This looked out of place with all the tiny delicate flowers. Mrs. Peabody sensed my thoughts saying

Vincent van Gogh was her favorite painter.

“Mr. Peabody and I always tried to surround ourselves with our favorite things. You saw the inside of our cabin. Mozzie said you were fascinated with the turned over glasses. Under them were fir cones, dry berries, and a few pebbles. Treasures to the one who remembers something from the past.

“I live everyday as though it is my last. My daughter, Ginger, cares for me here not because I am old and fragile but because I cared for her as a child. She says “Mama, it is paybacks.”

Aunt Rose smiled. “That is a good way of thinking. I live with my niece Kitty and Gordon. I have my own large room upstairs. Filled with some memories also. Downstairs in her sewing room is where my treadle sewing machine sits. I use it to help her out with sewing projects when asked to help. Lately I make Teddy Bears to donate to the police and fire departments for children under stress. I actually made a bear for you.”

Aunt Rose handed Mrs Peabody a small box about 12 X 12. Inside the box was a small pink bear dressed in a silk leaf skirt. She had a mischievous smile and sparkling pixie wings. She carried a sunflower in her paw.

Mrs Peabody let out a laugh saying “Annabelle. Annabelle.”

Her daughter, Ginger, came running down the hall asking if her Mama was OK.

“Yes, dear look has come to live with me...Annabelle!”

Aunt Rose was thoroughly confused. You could hear Nolan and Mozzie running down the hall also.

Mozzie and Nolan both laughed with relief.

”It's Annabelle, Grandfather it's Annabelle.' cried Nolan.

“Yes it certainly does look like that little Imp Annabelle.” laughed GrandFather.

Ginger said “Mama we must all go into the living room and show Rose Annabelle. We can then go have some tea and cookies.”

In the living room was a large Water color of a Pixie. It was called Annabelle. Aunt Rose put two and two together and knew what the excitement was all about.

After a lovely tea with cucumber sandwiches and small sugar cookies Mrs. Peabody appeared to be tiring. Aunt Rose rose up saying she must get back home to her herb garden.

Goodbyes were said and addresses exchanged. Mozzie and Nolan took Aunt Rose back to her house.

“ I do need to get back to my little herb garden. I used it as an excuse because I saw Mrs Peabody tiring, “ said Aunt Rose.

“ That was very nice of you. I'm sure Ginger appreciated you thinking of her Mama.” said Mozzie.

They took Aunt Rose home but before they left Nolan asked if she was forgetting her paper bag.

“No dear, that is for you and your Grandfather to munch on while you drive home tomorrow.”

That evening Aunt Rose sent Nolan a short story.

Forgotten Tiny Forest People

Soon you hear Who are you?

You answer back well Who are you?

We are the fairies of the forest. I am Ginny.

I am a lost human female sitting under a toadstool thinking

What are you doing here?

A bit irritated you say I told you I am lost

The fairy with the red shirt and purple feathered hat

laughs and does a silly jig just to annoy human female

A serious fairy dressed in a blue lace dress

weaved in the finest cobwebs and gold flakes

When did you arrive in our humble forest?

I arrived after I fell through the mud hole

So up comes an Elder with his cane and a long beard

Where did you fall from? A town or woods or sky?

I was at the grandparents farm picking many apples

I heard Grandmother call me. I turned and fell

Why did you fall asked a man with a big wart nose

I was on a ladder picking apples my bag was full

when I turned the bag flew out in front of me

I ended up on the ground in mud silly

The Elder with his cane takes Ginny to a creek

The lady fairy dressed in the blue dress washed

Ginny's face. She combed her hair with rose petal dew

The Elder pointed his cane saying” Return home and forget us.”

Nolan wrote back saying he liked the story and Grand Father almost ate all the Lavender Cookies that were in the bag!