Better Than Prozac

Look at that face. Does it make you smile? It's the face of my favorite piece of sculpture, Frog Baby.


I first met Frog Baby when I was living in Myrtle Beach, SC. She stands in the center of the pool in the small sculpture building in Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. She is the creation of Edith Barretto Parsons 1878-1956 and she is a most delightful little girl, totally naked, with her head thrown back and a look of sheer joy on her face as she holds her froggy friends in each hand. It is impossible not to smile back at her.

As many of you know, I suffer from seasonal depression. It begins in the fall and peaks in January. It's often accompanied by severe migraines. Anti-depressant drugs don't work for me and I've had to learn how to cope on my own. One of the best things is to surround myself with things that bring me joy. Frog Baby does that. I can't help feeling happier when I look at her.


Edith Barretto Parsons sculpted a number of pieces with small children and animals. here is Duck Baby.


Very similar to Frog Baby is this piece called, what else, Turtle Baby. Besides the gleeful face, look at the toes and the chubby knees. If you don't smile at these little girls, you definitely need help.


I try to surround myself with happy things and Samba is one of them. Samba feels my moods and stays close by when I need her.


Fudge is a little less attuned to my moods, but he's a clown and will try to make me laugh, even if he does wind up stepping on me or knocking something out of my hand in doing so.


When it comes to irresistible faces, Morgan wins. How can one not feel better when looking at her.

Last year at Christmas I was trying to find something special for Rob. I try each year to surprise him with something totally unexpected. I hit it big.


I found this fountain for our fish pond. This is Snail Baby. Obviously, it's a copy of Edith Parson's work, and the face isn't quite as sweet as her pieces, but I love it and it's going to have a place of honor in our pond when it's completed.


It has the same effect on me that Frog Baby does. It makes me smile.


When I feel blue, I'll be able to walk into the back yard, sit by the fish pond and look at Snail Baby's joyful face and I know I'll feel better.