We have been looking at the night sky…
and thinking about all those people looking up at it from somewhere they did not expect to be a month ago.
I saw my first ever shooting star and it filled me with wonder – Busby was a bit busy doing something else. He says, “Sadly, it is hard to balance on three legs and look upwards, so I missed it, but I still made a wish. Mr Putin, watch your back!”
You can see some incredible photos of the night sky over the South Downs in the south of England. This photo comes from here: https://www.theguardian.com/science/gallery/2022/feb/11/awesome-astrophotography-from-the-south-downs (Parental warning – this links to a live news website with links to current news stories.)
Busby has been feeling a bit out of sorts…
He says, “Frankly, everyone, some days at the moment I feel as if I don’t know which way is up! So, I really liked hearing this nonsense poem and finding out that actually it makes sense when you are upside down.” Read it from the top, then follow the instructions below.
I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tail
I saw a peacock with a fiery tail
I saw a blazing comet drop down hail
I saw a cloud, with ivy circled round
I saw a sturdy oak creep on the ground
I saw a pismire* swallow up a Whale
I saw a raging sea brim full of ale
I saw a Venice glass sixteen foot deep
I saw a well full of men’s tears that weep
I saw their eyes all in a flame of fire
I saw a house as big as the moon and higher
I saw the sun even in the midst of night,
I saw the man that saw this wondrous sight.
*an ant
The trick is to start at the bottom with the whole of the last line and carry on with the second half of the line above it. Then you just take the first half of the next line and link it to the second half of the line above it. I’ve highlighted this in the poem.
We are enjoying the arrival of spring.
We love all the seasons, but one of us has been waiting all year to share this piece of spring music. It is a modern take on a very famous piece of music by Vivaldi.
This is Max Richter’s Recomposed – Spring 2
Busby says, “I’m a bit limited on the communication front, but if my soul could sing, this is what it would sound like – especially at the moment.”
We have been finding out about our creative type.
Did you know that there is more than one creative type? Well, if not, have a look at this amazing quiz by Adobe Create. The graphics are quirky and engaging and it is really fun. You can give it a go, here: https://mycreativetype.com/
We will reveal Busby’s type next month. Hopefully, it will not be as upsetting to him as December’s Fairy Tale Character Quiz result! If you missed this quiz, the link is here: https://buzzypaws.com/2021/11/26/november-into-december-take-a-look-at-what-we-are-doing-this-month/
We have been discovering the idea of “intangible cultural heritage”
Did you know that UNESCO does not just protect buildings and places but also protects skills, traditions and customs? For younger readers, things you can’t touch = intangible.
One such protected custom is the giving of Martenitsa in Bulgaria and Romania, on March 1st. Older readers can read about this fascinating tradition, here: https://www.incultureparent.com/baba-marta-day-craft-martenitsa/
You can watch a clip about intangible heritage here:
The Australian National Trust has an amazing activity package for children (and adults) to explore their own cultural heritage. It is full of diverse activities that could also include older family or community members. So, if you need something to do, for example, during the Easter break, you will find plenty to keep you busy, here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Trust-Kids.pdf
Before we go…
We mentioned, last month, that in sad times, it helps to remember that there are always good people that help. In the week since the UK government allowed people to register to host Ukrainians fleeing war, 130,000 people have registered to do this. Other people are getting together to offer all sorts of practical support for when they arrive.
We have met and spoken with real people actually doing this – and they are inspirational. We would like anyone, young or old, human or canine to know that there REALLY is more good in the world than bad.
Becky and Dan in Wimborne, Tatiana and Lucy in London, overworked headteachers everywhere, willing to make room for newly arrived children – Busby and I truly salute you! You, and people like you, give us all hope in dark times.
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 