The Great, the Charitable, the Humble, the Genius, Mr. Toad

 As well as adventurous, a wise, a well-dressed, a not-the-shape-of-a-fat-washerwoman, a patriotic and law-abiding citizen, is that Mr. Toad. 

 "The World has held great Heroes,

As history books have showed;

But never a name to go down to fame

Compared with that of Toad!"

(The Wind in the Willows, Chapter 10: The Further Adventures of Toad, pg.180.).

The Professor's Door

 I painted this, once, a long time ago. I felt it did not capture the feeling that I wanted, and so I tried painting it again.

    A hedgehog makes his way to Joe's house in a blizzard, struggling to waddle through the frozen snow and brace himself against a frenzy wind that blows wild in his face, biting his nose and paws. His scarf is wet and he wishes he'd worn gloves. 

    He eventually finds the bright door standing amidst the mixing black of night and white of bitter snow, and hurries forth with renewed spirits. He is expected by Woe, who ushers him inside and hurriedly puts him in a cozy chair in front of a fire to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate at hand. Woe returns from the kitchen with a tray of cookies and a helper.

 

       Here they are, gathered in front of a fire, the cold forgotten.

Hot Chocolate

 

 

 

In the wintertime, the smell of coffee and hot chocolate sifts through every room of the Professor's house, bringing out critters who warm themselves around the temporarily abandoned mugs and stuff themselves with marshmallows.