First Day of Spring & Gnome #10

March 20th—first day of spring. Felt like a good time to put out Gnome #10.

The others have gone quiet. No updates, no new movements. Even the one that traveled from Bainbridge Island, WA, all the way to Big White Ski Resort—over 350 miles—hasn’t been heard from since.

Then there are the small moments that keep the vibe going. Like the note from someone who moved one with her son:

“We absolutely loved the curiosity and excitement sparked by this project! Finding the gnome out in nature and then finding the perfect new spot for it was such a fun and rewarding activity for our day. Thank you for creating this wonderful experience!”

Or the person who found a broken gnome, took it home to repair, and then placed it in a new location.

Those few interactions balance out the disappointment I admit I feel when these go missing.

My goal is to set 60 gnomes out this year, regardless of how many move or disappear. I enjoy seeing them travel—you probably can’t fault me for that. But the simple act of putting them out there is enjoyable on its own.

My hope has always been that more people would pass them along rather than keep them. And maybe that’s still true—like a friend pointed out, far more people have likely encountered these than the ones who have taken them. So if you find one and are thinking how good it would look in your own yard, consider this: it’s already part of something bigger. Leaving it behind or moving it forward keeps the story going, opening it up to unexpected twists and turns. Keeping it for yourself ends it.

6 Gnomes ready to be cast