How Olivia Came to Be

   Everything!  Ok, Ok for some it is everything,  for others they might prefer a kiss or a hug?  Of course both are necessary and have their place, but here the Book Rules!

               The Good Book ...that is! 

         Olivia's soul  source of Inspiration! 

  Please check out this link and learn what principles one needs to use when making a   decision..

  Olivia the Magical Gourd came to be, through a journey of creatvity.

   Having always had a fascination with things that fly, not so much the UFO kind, more the Francis of Assisi, feathered friends variety. Our move to the country now was going to provided me, with the atmosphere that would support what it was I loved. That was, to watch and take care of the birds in our garden, which also included some that preferred to walk on the ground.

Having been raised with the axium regarding idol hands, I had never been truly satisfied if my hands werent being somewhat productive. So out of my love for birds, came my decision to make birdhouses.

 I knew, if my project would involve wood working, that my husband would be enticed to participate. So I made sure it did, and he did.  At first our birdhouse building was only for our pleasure, but like most things my husband gets involved with, it ultimately turns into a business of some kind?:)

And like much of our ventures together, he quickly leaves it to me, and goes back to what he sees as real work, leaving me to continue the venture alone. I guess in a way it was his waning lack of interest that lead me to the use of the Gourd.  I was looking on the Internet for other types of birdhouses, that  didnt need to be built, when I came upon the gourd. 

Side note: all my life I had always admired the works of the Masters in the world of Art. Drawn to them with such longing, as if my life wouldn't be complete, unless I could create the beauty that my eye could see. I tried for years, but never could truly produce the vision I was seeing. I had heard that one needed to  the medium that would best express their vision. I also truly never understood exactly what that meant?  Not until I found the gourd. I believe it's the gourd itself that contributes a sense of itself, that adds to the creative process. I almost has a life all its own. Very different from  a flat piece of canvas. Instead, it can be held and felt. Much like a parent feels with a child. Maybe for me, that created an added sense of inspiration. Whatever it was, the birds loved living in them, and I loved every part of working with them, from the cleaning to the painting .  

 The first place I found myself as a newbie to the gourd, was at the Sandlady's website. For some reason I bet most beginners find themselves there? SHe was one of the few on the web at that time, who actually had a farm devoted to growing the gourd. You will note, "Sandy'", Olivia's Artist friend, got the seeds of her name there. I used "Sandy" in the book, because it was not only my first stop in the Gourd world, but gourds grow best in sandy soil.

 What happened with Helen Thomas (the Sandlady) and me, was rather unique but not really..  Helen's (also my Grandmothers name) husband had an accident and he was no longer able to tend the Farm as he had in the past. My husband  Lou, at the  very same time, had also become quite ill, and I had to return to work, to help keep our insurance going . So it seemed that both Helen and I, were in the process of  sharing the same life experience. I suppose it was fitting that the Universe, God, Life, brought us together with the use of the Gourd. So that's how Sandy got her name in Olivia's book.

 Here's how Olivia got her name.

 Olivia got her name from the Mount of Olives. As I was developing her character, I felt an extremely almost sacred atmosphere. So I used her name to express that feeling. Her last name Oliveita was a combination of a high school friend, whose name I always loved A. Lovett. And my husbands love for the Opera. However, the real design behind her name was my approach to life. Stop talking about your ill's, life's, pros' & con's or what is missing

 and just.... Oh LIVE IT! 

It was within the Gourd Community that I found people who truly cared about others, who were willing to extend themselves not out of a profit mentality, but from a sense of brotherhood, kindness and sharing. Something I hadn't experienced before. And it was Margie Malone, who first took a shine to Olivias  picture, and placed her on the Gourd Societies Calendar for 2002.  In our communication, I also I found out that her Mothers name was Olivia...what synchronicity! 

Who knew, that five years later Olivia the Magical Gourd would be born in book form?

 I believe that gratitude is one of our souls greates expression, and it was my journey with the gourd, that made me appreciate even more, those who were always willing to help, share, and support her along her way. And I am most grateful to the One Love of my life in whom all good flows... thanks for looking and listening and God Bless...

This picture was taken by Marge Malone for the 2002 Gourd Calendar