17 - People Without Faces

As we were traveling home from work one blizzardy day - just after I had gotten my driver's license - my Dad counseled his strong-willed teenage daughter, "I'm an experienced driver, and I wouldn't go out in this snow tonight. I think you should stay home from the high school basketball game."

I didn't stay home, and he was right. Two good friends and I were in an accident - no injuries, thankfully - and, the other driver was cited for failure to yield. To this day, I regret not listening to that advice for two reasons. The first - despite having gained some experience and snow driving skill, I am terrified of driving in the snow. Still.

The second reason - I lost my brilliant collection of key chains that night. I'd been collecting key chains on vacations for several years and somehow, my keys were lost during the mayhem after the accident. Tragic.

I love my collections...stuffed lions, movie soundtracks, trip sweatshirts, Authors card games, earrings, and Willow Trees.
My nephew calls them the people without faces. Somehow, these little people without faces speak to me (in the figure-ative sense - get it, Dad?) and I love them. Above is most of the collection minus my Willow Tree Nativity set and a couple of figures I have at work.

I love giving Willow Trees as gifts and getting them as gifts too...like my other collections, many of the pieces have been given to me by people who know me well.... and to each of you, I say THANK YOU!

#17 on my list of Favorite Things is my WILLOW TREES.