Since finding a vintage owl necklace while I was in the Philippines, I have become a little obsessive with everything “owl-like” (much to the husband’s dismay). Little did he realize when he bought me that owl necklace that it would begin something very addictive.

Now, let me clarify, it cannot just be anything with an owl on it. I like the vintage, boutique looking owls, or ones I find in the cheap shops, and then I just spray paint them, which I have already done!

I have an owl pitcher, owl necklace, two owl ornaments, an owl organizer, and my friend Monique (whose column is a few pages away) has made boutique owls from fabric that we found on a website. Believe me I have seen many other owl finds that I cannot wait to get my hands on!

It’s a strange thing to like right now, as one of my biggest phobias in life is birds. Along with the dark, knees and rubbing hands… I know I sound ‘hooting’ crazy right now!

The most famous owl that I can think of is the wise owl from Winnie the Pooh. What a good owl to pick on for my column, which is mostly filled with life lessons, wise things I have read or heard from people, or that I have learnt. So I took some time to find a saying about a wise owl so that this column is not just about my obsession with owls, and maybe we can find some wisdom in it all.

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”

There have been many times when I should have spent less time talking and more time listening so that I may learn something more. Or maybe I would hear someone’s opinion rather than my own loud opinion, owning the conversation. I sometimes wonder why I do not take more time to sit and listen. I want to try and be more like a wise old bird that would take the time to speak less in some situations and to listen. Maybe I would gain more wisdom, and learn something more about a friend.

There is a quote from Owl talking to the Rabbit in a Winnie the Pooh book. He says “You and I have brains. The others are fluff.”

I really hope that I can work on making sure I am made of heart and brains, and not just a bunch of fluff that really means nothing!

Who knows maybe this owl obsession may just teach me something?