New Year – New Calendar… we have been enjoying this unexpected and very appreciated gift – every page a winner! Here are the first two months:
If the calendar appeals to you, here’s the link to the artist: https://www.jogrundyart.co.uk/
We have been living in the late Victorian era
This is what happens when you have the 70 hour, Definitive Collection of Sherlock Holmes, read by Stephen Fry.
Busby says, “It’s been delightful, but I think we need to stop now.”
If you’d like to join Holmes and Watson, the download is free to Audible subscribers, and there is a free trial for new members.
Sherlock Holmes, right, and Dr. John Watson share a train compartment in an illustration by Sidney E. Paget for “The Adventure of Silver Blaze,” a story by Arthur Conan Doyle published in The Strand Magazine in 1892.
We have been finding out which habit to work on next using this quiz.
The result for me was spot on. Interesting! It even confirmed something I had already planned and set in motion.
If you like a know-yourself-better type quiz and want to know where to direct your energy next, I really recommend it. Why not click here for a suggestion that might be just as on target:
https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-habits-for-happiness-quiz/
We have been rereading C.S. Lewis’ classic children’s book, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Did you know that it took C.S. Lewis ten years to write it? And that when he read this classic to his friend, Tolkien, the latter hated it(!) Take heart everyone!
We were surprised to discover that Aslan simply means ‘lion’ in Turkish.
Busby says, “Talking of Turkish, do you think Turkish Delight could perhaps be considered a dog treat?”
Anyone feeling creative can try out a recipe for Turkish Delight, here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/turkish_delight_91942
It involves hot sugar syrup, so not for little dogs or humans to make without supervision.
One of us is feeling a little bit pawly…
after suffering a dew claw injury. Ouch!
“Yes, everyone, it was very painful and distressing – especially as it was caused by somebody I love stepping on my paw.”
” I have been wondering why I have these extra digits – quite a ‘three pipe problem’, as Sherlock Holmes would say.”
Yes, my dear fellow, it is probably time to put Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson on the back burner for a while .
The answer to Busby’s question is that dew claws act as thumbs, and the pads they are close to also have an important, cushioning role to play when dogs run. You can see this in action in the clip below.
We have been listening to these two versions of a poem set to music.
See which you prefer. First up, the original by Samuel Barber, composed in 1938.
Secondly, lend your ears to this one composed by Morten Lauridsen in 2005.
Here is the poem that inspired both composers.
Sure On This Shining Night
Sure on this shining night
Of star made shadows round,
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.
The late year lies down the north.
All is healed, all is health.
High summer holds the earth.
Hearts all whole.
Sure on this shining night I weep for wonder wand’ring far
alone
Of shadows on the stars.
The poem comes from a book by James Agee entitled “Permit Me Voyage” published 1934 by Yale University Press © by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes.
You can read more about the poem’s meaning, here: https://allpoetry.com/Sure-On-This-Shining-Night
We have been been joining in with a big bird count and thinking about birds’ pecking order…
Thank you to Cathy and Lucy for these lovely cards. Here’s the research link,https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/when-136-bird-species-show-up-at-a-feeder-which-one-wins/#
If you see this in time, and have 15 minutes to spare, you can also join the global Great Backyard Bird Count (16th – 19th February 2024). You can join and watch the live world map light up with each submission, here (we loved watching Cornwall light up with submissions): https://www.birdcount.org/
Finally, we have enjoyed this humorous reminder that comparison is the thief of happiness…
You can view the cartoon, here: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2024/feb/04/simone-lia-comparison-site-cartoon
This cartoon is suitable for younger readers, but the link is to a newspaper and a range of work by the same cartoonist, Simone Lia.
Thank you…
everyone who has signed up to follow this blog. Every time we see a new name, I feel great and Busby feels (p)awesome.
If you’d like to subscribe (it is free), you can do so below the paw prints.
If you enjoyed this month’s post and want to read more, or revisit a post, you can find a post for every month of the year. Just click on Busby’s Year in the top menu of this website (Buzzypaws.com ) and choose your month.
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