"Who is Gnomy?", you may ask. Here's his story... When I was a high school student, I was taking a ceramics class and one assignment was to create an asymmetrical coil pot...I ended up creating this gnome... this heavy 12 pound ceramic gnome, who's arms look like an afterthought. I didn't really plan him, he just sort of happened as I rolled out more coils of clay. During Gnomy's creation process, there were doubters. Most people in my class thought he would explode in kiln when he was fired. But he did not explode. Then, when I painted him, there were more doubters. The doubters said things like, "the colors are all going to run together when he is fired." But his colors did not run. He is a champion that was made to become my goofy traveling companion. He has been on many journeys with me during the last 10 years...
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| He's been to Mt Rushmore! |
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| He's been in Babe the Blue Ox's nostril! |
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| He's befriended an ice cream eating chipmunk! |
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He's encouraged further education! |
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| He's seen the world's largest Holstein cow! |
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| He's surprised people when they need to potty! |
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| He's seen majestic sunsets! |
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| He's been gnome-napped to assist with a marriage proposal. |
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| He's been a groomsman! |
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| He's been filled with 4,657 Skittles! |
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| He's been on wild shopping cart rides! |
"Why Gnomy?"
1. He's completely ridiculous, and a lot of fun..
2. Easy way to make conversation with complete strangers.
3. He makes others laugh, or
4. He scares people/causes them to walk quickly in the other direction.
5. Always have a friend.
As I was saying, I took my travel buddy with me to my solo journey to Mayo Clinic in September. Gnomy agreed to drive half the distance. However, my lazy ceramic co-pilot did not hold up his end of the bargain. He mostly ate snacks and napped the entire way. AND he was supposed to be on the lookout for highway patrolmen. What was he doing when I was driving 91 in a 75 mph speed zone?? Not doing his job, that's what! Cost me $40 he did!! BAD GNOME!
Reasons why Gnomy wasn't a very good co-pilot:
1. He's a good listener, but not very talkative. After so many hours of silence, a person gets sleepy and needs conversation to keep them awake!
2. Not a very good navigator. My husband basically has Googlemaps built into his brain, but Gnomy is a little more like me, a little more...hopelessly lost. Give this fella a map, and he will get you so lost!
Some of our exciting pit stops and sights throughout our trip:
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| World's largest buffalo- Jamestown, ND |
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| Random gas station- middle of nowhere |
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| Largest Scheels All Sports- Fargo, ND |
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| Bronze statue of the Mayo brothers, "Dr. Charlie" (left) and "Dr. Will" (right), in front of the Mayo Clinic Gonda Building - Rochester, MN |
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| Boy and Dolphin Sculpture outside the historic Plummer Building - Rochester, MN |
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| Statue of Mother M. Alfred Moes - Rochester, MN (She convinced the Mayo Bros to make Mayo Clinic a reality) |
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| Helping with wheelchair assistance - Mayo Clinic |
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| Taking advantage of wheelchair service- Mayo Clinic |
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| Mac's Restaurant - Rochester, MN (if you ever get to Rochester, eat there!!!) |
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| Personal aircraft - landing strip in ND |
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