Calling For Reinforcements!

 This is Sebastian.  He is a Gotz Gregor from 1995 - the first year of the second Gotz production.  Sebastian has been here at Gregoropolis for quite a while now.

Sebastian was in a sorry state when he arrived here.  His body was extremely caved-in; he looked a bit like a bell pepper!  Part of this was due, I believe, to spending some time in a too-tight doll stand.  However, I've seen a lot of caving among those first year Gotz dolls.  I suspect that the vinyl formulation they used in the beginning was a little too soft.

Before.  Sebastian: Ouch!

I sent Sebastian off to a lady in California who specialized in fixing second-production Gotz dolls.  A lot of people don't like to work on the later Gotz dolls, and if you have ever tried to re-string one, you'll know why.  

They have a very different type of attachment for the elastic strings: snap-in plastic cups rather than the metal hooks of the older dolls.  It makes taking them apart and reassembling them a real nightmare.

Sebastian came back to me looking good as new.

After.  Looking good for now.

Sebastian and Rolf, meeting for the first time.

Unfortunately, in the intervening years, his body started to cave-in again.  It wasn't as bad, but it did make posing him more difficult and he had to wear oversized shirts to hide his 'condition'.

Caving again!

Sebastian was lucky that our dear friend Doctor Pat was willing to take him on as a patient.  This past winter he made a trip down to Florida for some extended spa treatments.  After getting him back in shape again, Pat applied a plastic-like putty that dries rock hard to the inside of his torso.  His newly reinforced body shouldn't experience any more caving problems.

A view inside.

He can now show-off his splendid physique!

Tina Louise: Oooh, abs of steel!

Sebastian: Now behave, my dear.

Springtime Bliss

Patrick: Well.  This lounging around is all well and good, 

but we really should be getting something done.

Patrick: Wasting time is illogical.  We could be writing papers, reading books, 

doing research, working in the garden...

Ravi: But it's so pleasant sitting here with this lovely spring breeze blowing through the window.

It seems like ages since we had the windows open.  Just smell the lilacs!

Patrick: It really is very nice!  I like to watch the curtains rippling in the breeze.

It reminds me of kelp.

Ravi: ...kelp?

Patrick: Yes, like that nature program we watched about the oceans.

Remember how the kelp swayed back and forth in the ocean currents?

Ravi: Oh, you're right!  That was a good program.

They should have more programs like that on TV.

Patrick: Indeed; instead of those silly shows Holly Belle watches.

Ravi: You know, it occurs to me that we're not really wasting time.

We're enjoying the moment having a good conversation.

Patrick: I just love your logical mind!

Colors of Spring 2022

 

Red of the begonias

Orange of the traffic barrel

Yellow of the sun globe

Green of the hostas

Blue of the sky

Purple of the irises

Listening Skills

 

Holly Belle: You'll just never guess what blah, blah, blah...

Natalie: You don't say!

Holly Belle: Not only that, but blah, blah, blah...

Natalie: My goodness.

Holly Belle: And to top it all off blah, blah, blah...

Natalie: Well, isn't that something.

Holly Belle: Pretty surprising, don't you think?

Natalie: You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Holly Belle: I love chatting with Natalie!  She's such a good listener.

Nathan: Don't you find talking with Holly Belle a bit exhausting?

Natalie: Not really.  Of course, I don't actually listen to anything she says.

Natalie: You see, I have a naturally attentive look, like I'm hanging on to 

someone's every word.  It's a gift, really.

Nathan: So that's the secret.

Natalie: I also throw in a few vaguely sympathetic remarks every now and then.

Frederick: Isn't that a little dishonest?

Natalie: I don't know; it seems to make her happy.

And it gives me time to think.

Frederick: Think about what?

Natalie: Cookies.  Let's go find some.

Giancarlo vs. The Squirrels

 Daddy Steve:  You may recall that last spring the squirrels absolutely demolished all of the blossoms on our Magnolia tree, just as they were starting to open up: Evil Squirrels.

We hoped that over the winter they would forget about how tasty Magnolia flowers are, but apparently squirrels have surprisingly good memories.  This spring, they were back and up to their old evil tricks.

Nanny Wendy: Oh good grief, not again!

Mikey: Are da squirrels gonna eat all da flowas?

Giancarlo: Not if I can help it!

Giancarlo: Wyatt, help me unroll this netting.

Wyatt: Sure thing, boss!

Wyatt: Do you think this will really work?

Giancarlo: We shall see, amico.  We shall see.

The netting did seem to discourage the squirrels from climbing the tree, and we saved a good many flowers...

Robin: The squirrels don't seem to like the netting.  

It probably feels like walking into a spider web.

Luke: Eeeeew!  I hate that!

Zen and the Art of Household Chores

 

BR: How many surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Philip: Fish!

Nicholas Sahara: Oh, bugger.  Another 'sockrifice' to the laundry gods.

Scot-Michael: I bet with a race car bed I could be fast asleep.

Stephen Orange: Everyone wants to save the dolphins, 

but no one wants to help with the dishes.

Pete Dakota: I just dusted off the Hoover.

I have become the vacuum cleaner.

If The Shoe Fits

 It still doesn't feel like spring here in Gregoropolis, but that isn't stopping the girls from changing into their spring fashions.

Carolyn: Oh yes, I like this outfit a lot.

Holly Belle: It's long been a favorite here.

Meghan: And it looks lovely on you!

Holly Belle: Now for shoes, I think these would go nicely with it.

Carolyn: Actually, I rather fancy this pair.

Meghan and Holly Belle: Trainers?!?

Holly Belle: They're, er, not very stylish though.

Carolyn: I feel like I've reached the age where I value comfort over style.

Holly Belle: Gosh, you don't think we'll ever get that old, do you?

Meghan: It's hard to even imagine...