How Charming!
One thing that stands out on the cover
of Scotch Broom is a charm bracelet. This, of course, is an integral
part of the plot of Scotch Broom. I hinted that the bracelet would be
a nice addition to the cover several months ago when I filled out the
cover art form where we writers attempt to describe our vision of the
cover, essential elements of the plot, and make outrageous demands of
our long-suffering cover artists.
Charm bracelets aren’t just jewelry.
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet to ward off
evil spirits or bad luck. During the pre-historic period, jewelry
charms would be made from shells, animal-bones and clay. Later charms
were made out of gems, rocks, and wood.
For instance, there is evidence from
Africa that shells were used for adornments around 75,000 years ago.
In Germany intricately carved mammoth tusk charms have been found
from around 30,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt charms were used for
identification and as symbols of faith and luck. Charms also served
to identify an individual to the gods in the afterlife.
During the Roman Empire, Christians
would use tiny fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify
themselves to other Christians. Jewish scholars of the same period
would write tiny passages of Jewish law and put them in amulets round
their necks to keep the law close to their heart at all times.
Medieval knights wore charms for protection in battle. Charms also
were worn in the Dark Ages to denote family origin and religious and
political convictions. (Thanks to Wikipedia for the information on
the history of charms http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charm_bracelet).
And, of course, we should not forget
Lucky Charms (General Mills) which provide us with food just like
Kat’s little pig charm does in the story.
So, here is it. Scotch Broom complete
with the most charming bracelet. If you can't quite make out the
figures, here's what they are and what they represent as related to
Kat by the gifter, Mordita.
Excerpt from Scotch Broom:
“Hold out your hand,” Mordita ordered. Kat laid the gift packets on a side table and held out her right arm. Mordita grabbed her wrist and Kat felt something slide around it followed by the faint snick of a latch. Mordita let go. “Look closely, and you’ll see the charms on the chain.” Kat examined the bracelet. Five tiny charms hung from it, evenly spaced around the bracelet’s length.
I can’t quite...oh, now I see them.
Thanks, Mordita. It’s very, umm, pretty.”
“Fiddlesticks. These are useful
charms. They’re not meant to be just decorative.” Mordita held up
Kat’s wrist and poked one of the charms. It squealed. Kat jumped.
“Shush, you silly thing,” Mordita said.
“This little piggie provides food
where none is to be found. Nutritious food, that is, so don’t be
hoping for candy.”
“Oh. That’s handy.” Kat peered
closer at the pig charm. It looked back at her and winked. She
grinned. What a great charm, she thought, and charming, too.
Mordita poked at another charm, and Kat
heard a muffled purring sound. “This little kitty finds a warm
place for you to stay. Nothing fancy, just basic shelter.”
Mordita stroked the next charm, and a
muted honk came from the tiny goose. “Early warning system.
Activate it when you want protection from unpleasant surprises.”
Kat laughed. “I might need that the
second I put foot in Great Britain. It’s all new to me.”
Poke. Whinny. “This pony will bring
transportation, for example, a cab in London. The drivers would as
soon run you over as pick you up.”
“Cab? I don’t know— Is that a
vehicle you can hire to take you places?”
“Indeed. Now, use this last one only
in case of dire emergency.” Mordita pointed at the charm but didn’t
touch it. “Best let sleeping ogres lie. You’d better have a
desperate need for an eight-foot tall, five-hundred pound, angry
ogre.”
Kat gave the charm a dubious look.
“Will it attack me?”
“Of course not. I imprinted your
personality on all the charms. They will serve you and only you. Of
course, you must have the bracelet on for the charms to work.”
“This is a great gift, Mordita. I
can’t thank you enough.”
“Not at all. Hopefully, you won’t
have any need of the ogre.”
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