How Olivia Came to Be

  I  had always been fascinated with flying objects, not so much the UFO kind, more the Francis of Assisi, feathered friend variety. Our move to the country now had provided me with the atmosphere that would support what it was I loved. To watch and take care of the birds, in our garden, which also included some that preferred to walk on the ground.

Always having to keep my hands into something productive, I decided that making birdhouses would be my thing. I kind of knew, that if it involved working with wood, my husband might be enticed to participate. So it did, and he did.  We then  ventured into the birdhouse business. At first it was only for our pleasure, but like most things my husband gets involved with, it ultimately turns into a business of some kind?:)

However, like much of our together ventures, he quickly leaves it to me, to go back to what he sees as his reality. Leaving me to continue my venture alone. Which lead me to making use of the Gourd. I suppose I was looking on the Internet for other types of birdhouses, that needn't be built, when I came upon the gourd. 

I had all my life, 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 what my eye could see. I tried for years, but never could truly produce the vision I was seeing. I also had heard,  you had to find your medium of expression for this to occur. I also never truly understood that as well? Not until I found it with the  use of the gourd. I believe it was because the gourd itself, has almost a life all its own. Not a flat piece of canvas, but something one can hold and feel. Much like the way a parent does 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, especially the painting part.  

 The first place I went to as a newbie to the gourd, was to the Sandlady's website. For some reason I bet most beginners find themselves there? You will note, "Sandy'", Olivia's Artist friend, got the seeds to 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.. It seems 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 Olivia's picture to place on the Gourd Societies Calendar for 2002.  In our communication 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 have to share my thanks, to those who helped her along her way, and to the One Love of my life in whom all good flows.

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