Where is the "Real" World of Fairies?

Where is the “real” land of fairies?

Have you ever wondered where fairies really live? Before delving into this mystery, you must close your eyes, cross your fingers, turn around in a circle three times, clap your hands twice and then say “I believe.”

First, let’s clear up some misunderstandings about the spelling of “fairy.” There are actually a number of acceptable spellings: fairy, faerie, faery, fayre. The world of fairies is often referred to as the world of fey , denoting a world of the mysterious and supernatural. However you spell it, the myths and mysteries about fairies are many. However only one thing remains clear – that nothing is clear! Mysteries are everyday happenings in the fairy world. Anything is possible.

Fairy legends are centuries old and have been passed down from generation to generation, varying according to the country of origin. There are scores of fairy tales from the British Isles, Australia, Iceland and the Scandinavian countries. Some early legends tell us that fairies are the souls of unbaptized children. Some say that fairies are the children of Eve, while others say that they are fallen angels, lying somewhere between humans and angels. Still others think that fairies are simply the spirits of nature, children of Mother Nature. In some stories fairies are good, while in others they are clearly evil. In most they are somewhere in the middle – a bit mischievous, even downright tricky. Because of this, most believers agree that it is not wise to try to fool a fairy. Always be polite and treat all fairies with respect.

Through the ages, fairies have been blamed for all kinds of problems – from missing treasures to missing socks. I personally believe that the Tooth Fairy is alive and well and that there IS a fairy that tangles your hair while you sleep (The Knot Fairy) and there IS a real Sock Fairy. And when it comes to belly buttons, the fairies are in on that, too.

Where do fairies live? It is believed that some fairies live in gardens, some on mountaintops, and others in rivers and lakes. Many legends tell of the fairies that inhabit our homes. There are even a few that are known to live in Disney World. So, is Fairlyland just over the rainbow or is it inside the earth, just below our feet? Is it real or does it exist simply in our minds and hearts?

Only the fairies know for sure and they’re not telling!

Why Didn't I Think of That?

Why Didn't I Think of That?

As I return home from the Decatur Book Festival, I keep thinking of the wonderful people of Decatur, Georgia and their display of true Southern Hospitality. The event was extremely well planned and well attended, drawing families from all over the South. The Knot Fairy and The Sock Fairy were very well received by the little fairy lovers and their parents.

It was while speaking with the many book- and fairy-loving people that I had a true "Aha! Moment". So many people wanted to know where my story ideas come from. The truth is that my ideas come from the simple, everyday situations that people all over the world face on a daily basis. At least a dozen people asked me the same question: "Why didn't I think of that?" That's when I had my Moment. Stories are everywhere!

The stories in my books reveal the mysteries behind tangled hair and missing socks. Both ideas came from previous Aha! Moments. The Knot Fairy was born while I was trying to comb the tangles from my granddaughter's hair. The Sock Fairy came to life while I was searching for my husband's missing tennis sock. Stories are everywhere! Adults often get caught up in everyday happenings to realize this, however just ask a group of children for story ideas and watch their young, crystal clear imaginations start rolling in full gear. When I visit schools, I love to ask the children to think of other fairies that we can blame for life's mysterious happenings. The children have come up with such wonderful characters as The Lunchbox Fairy, The Snow Fairy, The Missing Earring Fairy, The UPS Fairy (with his tiny brown truck), The Missing Toy Fairy and the Messy Desk Fairy.

Yes, my friends, stories are everywhere. Just open your eyes and your imaginations and try to think like a child. Before you know it, someone will be saying to you - "Why didn't I think of that?"

A Fairy Tale is Born

My first cookbook was published in 1980, launching an exciting career in the world of food. I taught cooking classes and traveled all over as a featured speaker and guest on radio and TV shows. I even appeared on the Regis Philbin show. (That’s really my biggest claim to fame.) The result was a total of seven successful cookbooks and a totally burned-out author. So, I decided it was time to slow down and enjoy the wonderful time of life I fondly refer to as “grandmotherhood”.

All was peaceful, until three years ago…

My new career started on an ordinary day, in an ordinary way. I was simply brushing my twin granddaughters’ hair. One of the girls was distressed about the mass of knots and tangles in her beautiful, but very curly tresses. I found myself doing something that having ten grandchildren has taught me to do well - making up stories to divert the girls’ attention. I told the twins about a tiny fairy who flies into children’s rooms at night and delights in tangling their hair. It worked! No more tears and no more tangles. Later that day the girls and I sat down together, wrote the entire story and decided to call it The Knot Fairy. I never imagined that this was the beginning of a new and very exciting adventure. The adventure actually catapulted into a career a few days later when I innocently said to the girls, “Why don’t we turn this story into a book?” Oops, that just slipped out. I didn’t mean to say it. Now what? I couldn’t back out. I could never disappoint my grandkids. And so, a fairy tale was born.

Anyway, this seemed like the perfect time to re-invent my career. My bachelor’s degree in education and my minor in children’s literature were calling to me to re-enter the book world. As I fast-forward to today, three years later, and only one year after the release of The Knot Fairy, I am happy to report that the book has been the recipient of two children’s book awards and a selection on the esteemed BookSense Childrens’ Pick List. In addition, the book is now a finalist in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards. It seems that the mystery of tangled hair is a popular dilemma that crosses all ages and ethnic boundaries.

Now, in keeping with my theme of explaining some of the deeper mysteries of life, I am pleased to announce that my second book., The Sock Fairy will be arriving this Spring. Yes, everyone has been visited by this mischievous little sprite. He’s the one (yes, a little boy fairy) who is responsible for missing socks, mismatched socks, and the occasional hole in the toe.

So, just remember - when life’s little mysteries have you baffled – who better to blame it on than a fairy?