We are glad to be back after a longer summer break than we’d anticipated.
We have been finding out about…
Vyshyvankas. Did you know that, traditionally, the symbols on these garments each have a meaning and that designs varied from region to region? They were sewn with great love and the symbols were chosen to protect their wearer from harm.
You can read more about this skilful folk art, here: https://ukrainian-recipes.com/mysterious-symbolism-of-ukrainian-embroidery.html
There is a saying in Ukrainian “Народився у вишиванці” which is translated as somebody was born wearing vyshyvanka. It is used to emphasize someone’s luck and ability to survive in any situation.
Wikipedia – Vyshyvanka
We have been finding out about this Ukrainian traditional embroidery after receiving some beautiful gifts from a generous and thoughtful friend.
The third Thursday in May is Vyshyvanka day!
Older readers can read about Vyshyvanka Day and watch a longer film clip, here: https://www.europeanheritageawards.eu/winners/world-vyshyvanka-day/ .
We have been identifying birds…
by their song, using the magical Merlin App from Cornell University. Who knew we have a white wagtail in our garden? This amazing app listens and shows which birds are singing, more or less instantly – magic!
Find out more about it, here: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Thanks to the Merlin photo ID tool, we can now identify birds by their appearance. Merlin used this blurry photo to identify a large bird we saw wading in Sussex by the River Adur. It’s a grey heron, and it was there in October as they do not fly south for the winter.
Busby wondered how birds know when and where to migrate, and how they know when to come home. He’s still in awe of the Drovers’ corgis making their way home alone from London to Wales (see February into March).
We have been finding out…
that over a hundred years ago, American poet and children’s author, Rachel Field, was considering the same question in her poem: ‘Something Told the Wild Geese’.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, “snow.”
Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, “frost.”
All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.
This poem is in the public domain.
Rachel Field and her dog, Spriggen. Photo- Portland Library, USA.
Busby says, “I was interested to read about Rachel’s childhood. Apparently, she was nearly ten before she really could read well enough to enjoy it. So, at seven, I really am almost a prodigy.”
She was also the first female winner of the Newbery Medal. Ninety years later, one of our book corner authors, Kelly Barnhill also received this medal, whilst another, Lauren Wolk, is an ‘Newbery Honor’ winner. Head to our Book Corner to find out more about them.
You can access our Book Corner by signing up on the Join the Book Corner page. It’s automated, and it’s free.
We have been imagining…
what it must be like to hear sounds in colour(!). This is called synaesthesia (or, more specifically, chromesthesia). Dustin O’Halloran, the composer of the song below, has this gift. If you can, listen with your eyes closed and see what colours you can see with the music. Then watch the film, below, that shows one of endless possibilities.
There is a good explanation for all ages, here: https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-do-people-with-synaesthesia-link-senses-and-how-does-it-work-160565#:~:text=It’s%20a%20word%20that%20describes,mouth%20when%20they%20read%20words. Older readers can read more about this curious phenomenon, here: https://theconversation.com/every-song-has-a-color-and-an-emotion and see a clip of Beethoven’s music as imagined a musician with synaesthesia might see it:
We have suffered…
a mini Tour de France pile up with our novelty paperclips. Quelle mini catastrophe!
I have been decorating…
this virtual cottage. Again. Is it maybe something to do with autumn and the instinct to hibernate? If you want to find out – it’s free and here’s the link: https://www.jacquielawson.com/cottage?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI58qfxODn-gIVy7TtCh2QpQwoEAAYASAAEgLPEfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Busby has been thinking about…
the value of traditional pastimes. He says, “Whilst I can appreciate the appeal of this app, I feel that dog owners must be very careful not to neglect other, more traditional activities that everyone can enjoy.”
We will leave you with another suggestion, below.
We have been listening to this piece of music.
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.
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