When I was a teen I became entranced with the series of books by Anne McCaffrey, the Dragonriders of Pern. I have every single Dragonrider book she wrote, and I have read them more than once. They delighted me. They made me want to believe that dragons existed in this universe; that they were good; that we could fly on them; and with dragons we could save the world!
My dreams of dragons take me away from the everyday stress and evils. When politics make me crazy, I think of flying away on a dragon from Pern, saving the world from the threads falling from the red planet. Communicating solely with my dragon. Wouldn’t that be fun?
My favorite of her books is “The Girl Who Heard Dragons.” I so wished that was me! She could speak and hear all the dragons. Everyone else could only speak to their specific bonded dragon! The girl who heard dragons was special! (When Anne McCaffrey passed away in November 2011, I was so sad that the world lost her imagination.)
Computer Catsastrophies by R. Spangler
Because I love the idea of dragons, I am attracted to art with friendly dragons. Two local Missouri artists’ works exemplify friendly dragon art. And their works adorn my home. Perhaps too much, but their art makes me happy. The two-dimensional, lithograph works by Randal Spangler can be found on walls in almost every room of my home. For years, I would buy my husband a Randal Spangler print for his birthday. I know I buy them for my husband, but I love them. Kind of self-serving! But he does not mind.
At first, I focused on the series with the astronomer and the libraries. But over time, I just went for the dragons. And if there were dragons and cats, even more delectable to me.
His art is fun, delightful and never upsetting. I always find something new to see in his more intricate and larger works. Some of my favorites have dragons and fireflies! So joyful.
When I want to ‘feel’ a dragon, I switch to the clay three-dimensional work by Clay Images artists Melissa and Jim Hogenson. They call their works, “whimisical designs in stoneware.” Which they are. I purchased my first one in 1984 at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. And I have been buying at least one piece almost every year since then. Even when I do not go to the festival, my children will take photos of pieces they think I would like. And then they buy them! They know that we have to make a stop at their booth so that I can look at dragons!
I have also found it possible to contact Clay Images on line and order exactly what I want. (Yes, I did Like their Facebook page.) It works for me. In fact, I recently saw two pieces that I must have!
My sculptured dragons stay in the family room, kitchen and front hall of my home. They stand guard against invaders. And they cheer me up. I loved the one I got last summer. My children went to the Renaissance festival and brought home: Eclipse, a dragon wearing special eclipse sunglasses. I saw the eclipse in Wyoming. It would have been fantastic to have a dragon with me! Can you imagine flying over the tops of the Grand Tetons as the eclipse began to cover the world in darkness. It would be like a scene out of a Dragonrider of Pern novel! WOW!
Among my favorite pieces are a dragon cookie jar, two lamps and my wizards. Because I crochet and knit, my children also made sure I had dragon yarn holders. I have two different ones that I keep together when I am not using them. I have useful pieces like mugs and the cookie jar, but I also have ones that are just fun to look at!
Over the years I have watched a few dragon related movies and read other dragon books. Disney’s Pete’s Dragon is fun. While Smaug, the dragon, in the Lord of the Rings is quite scary and mean. I loved the somewhat helpful dragon, Mushu, in Mulan. Of course, the lovesick Dragon in Shrek saved the day, as do my imaginary dragons. And I sort of smiled through the How to Train Your Dragon books. I was scared by the dragons in the Harry Potter series and petrified of the two-headed dragon in Willow (one of my favorite movies!). I know I need to see the animated movie Spirited Away, to see Haku, the river spirit. My son is a great fan of the animation artist, Hayao Miyazaki.
In my work space, above my computer, is a Spangler print called “Computer Catastrophies.” Although my desk does not look exactly like that, the print gives me inspiration and joy. As do all my dragons. On the wall to the right of my desk is Spangler’s “Science Fiction Shelf,” which depicts dragons and science fiction books. Some of my favorite books are listed, but unfortunately, he did not put any Dragonrider books on this imaginary shelf. That would have made it perfect.
I believe you are only as old as you feel. And with my dragon art and books in my home, I still feel quite young! Because with them here, I can believe that dragons must exist!
zicharonot 
My brother loves fantasy and science fiction, but I’ve never been much of a fan. As a child I loved the Wizard of Oz and other books involving the supernatural like A Wrinkle in Time.
I do not buy any of the newer books, but my old favorites, I reread!