We have been planting sunflowers.
Busby says, ” Whilst I love the symbolism of this gesture, I am very hopeful that next up will be lots of Ukrainian national dishes in my garden.”
One of us has been very busy setting up another sunflower project with some teaching friends. Busby says he feels very moved by the generosity of the local hosts and the courage of the Ukrainian women and children arriving here. In a dark time, it is uplifting to see the best in human nature and to witness what ordinary people working together can do. If you’d like to see what we’ve been doing, you can visit our website, here: https://sunflowersaturdays.com/
We have been listening to Zefiro Torna…
and thinking how reassuring it is to think that nearly four centuries ago, people felt as happy as we do to have some warm weather again. The song sets to music a poem describing how “the Greek god Zephyrus brings spring to the mountains and valleys, filling them with sunlight, blossoming fields, and joy.”
You can read more about this here: https://musictales.club/article/zefiro-torna-famous-madrigal-monteverdi-lauds-west-wind-brings-spring and enjoy the piece of music, here:
We have both been enjoying trying out some art and a little mindfulness with this fabulous children’s tv show, although Busby is a bit worried about the dog on the top of the presenter’s apron. We love the heart spiral episode. You can watch it, here:
Busby has been admiring…
clever little Patron, a 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier. He works with the Ukrainian civil defence service, and has sniffed out dozens of bombs in a matter of weeks. Of course, thanks to an earlier blog post, we know that he can do this thanks to his incredible sense of smell. Who knew that this sense of smell can be used to save lives? Brave boy, Patron!
CREDIT: LUBO IVANKO / GETTY
We have been finding out more about the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights…
(actually, we did this back in January, and promised to post it, so before it gets totally forgotten about it, here is what we found out. You can watch the amazing clip that started this off, on this blog page, here: https://wordpress.com/post/buzzypaws.com/2807)
Like firelight flickering on the ceiling of the world
Louise B, Young, cited in the article from which the pictures (below) have been taken.
This is just one poetic way of describing a powerful, natural phenomenon that has long been a source of wonder, mystery and fear for those who witnessed it. Unsurprisingly, myths and legends evolved that sought to explain it, and some of them are quite gruesome!
Until comparatively recently, before colour photography was available, artists often accompanied scientific explorations in order to capture and record what they saw. Here are some of their attempts to capture the magic of the Northern Lights. Which do you find the most powerful?
You can view more artists’ attempts to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights, here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/aurora-borealis-in-art
Did you know that, as recently as the 19th century, the Northern lights were seen as a sign of God’s displeasure with the behaviour of mankind? Busby says, if that were the case, they should be going crazy right now.
You can watch a film clip (by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in the United States) to find out more about what really causes this incredible phenomenon, here:
And, maybe these things happen when you are looking out for them, I’m not sure. But my attention was recently caught by this piece of music, called Rivers of Light, based on the Northern Lights, by Ēriks Ešenvalds. It combines traditional folksong of the Sami people (who inhabit the Arctic region) with extracts from the diaries of Arctic Explorers. It is very atmospheric. See what you think, here:
Thank you…
everyone who has signed up to follow this blog – every time I see a new name, I feel great and Busby feels (p)awesome.
You can subscribe right at the foot of the blogs below or on the home page. Make sure you click on confirm subscription in the email that’s sent to you!
IF you can’t wait until then, why not join our Quiet Paws Book Corner? If you like our blog page, you will almost certainly enjoy the information and activities on our book corner pages.
It’s free and everyone, young or old, is welcome. You just have to enjoy children’s literature. Head to the Join the Book Corner page in the menu at the top to sign up.
Buzzy Paws 