You know when you go to garden centres and various other worthy outlets you sometimes see those stone owls? I have looked at them for many years and thought how much I wanted one, yet never quite got around to buying one. Then some weeks ago I was at Calke Abbey and they had some in the sale, well it seemed like fate, this was the day to buy. After a very brief look I knew the owl for me, picked him quickly in that 'what if someone else picks him up before me' manner, and wandered around clutching him in a possessive manner until the choosing was done and I went to pay. It was sort of like being the Log Lady, but with an owl instead.
I love my owl.
Then I went to Haddonstone Show Gardens where I also became enamoured of an owl. No idea why this is happening, I have not had a compulsion to buy owls particularly before.
Then I had to find somewhere for them to live. I thought they ought to live together really so they could form a parliament. It did not take long for me to realize where they had to be.
The moment I positioned them my mind went straight to the Alan Garner book, The Owl Service and in the same moment the 1970s television series of the same name. I have happy memories, but slightly scared memories of both. Yet I look at my owls, who (hoo) I now refer to as the Owl Service and they make me smile. I cannot help but wonder if there is a third owl out there just waiting to join them.