Friday’s Library Snapshot … Pacala and Tandala and other Romanian Folk tales by Jean Ure.
Pacala and Tandala are two typical folk-tale rogues, they delight children and adults with their subtle mix of naughty and nice. However, they are not alone; there are wise old men, capable girls and of course a giant or two. Also, the author Jean Ure provides a some general information about Romanian culture and the folk-tale tradition.
However as ever it is the illustrator I am drawn to and recognised Charles Mozley (1914-1991), from a recent exhibition of Book Jackets we had in the Library.
Alphabethursday … H is for Hyacinth or the Hyacinthoides non-scripta
or even Hyacinthus orientalis ot Dutch hyacinths
Since the advent of Christmas I have enjoyed two bowls and three vases of [Dutch] hyacinths. They have languished, exuding rich perfume in my dining room and lounge. I ‘planted’ them in October some in soil and others in water and placed them a dark place for about six weeks.
I was not my intention until then not to ‘celebrate’ Christmas; but it seemed right, they were all the ‘bling’ I needed last year.
So each day I watched and enjoyed their increasing beauty until well after epiphany and they are still going strong. Even the dying blooms have a bewitching elegance. In time they will be removed to a sunny bed in the garden to give me an ongoing reminder of my Christmas without bling and the blessing they bought.
I am not a botanist; and assume that the common bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) although looks a little like the hyacinth orientalis (common, Dutch) in its natural form are not related. Although I enjoy the hyacinths in their magnificence it is when they have been in the garden a year or two and they return to their original form I like them best.
From Pictures of our countries flowers and how to know them by W.J. Gordon 1891
Wednesday’s Wise Woman … Emma Goldman.
Emma Goldman (1869-1940) was born in Kovno, Russia now know as Lithuania and best known for her political activity, writing and speeches. She played a big part in the growth of anarchist political philosophy in USA and Europe in the early 20th century.
Emma emigrated to the USA in 1885 she arrived in New York; sixteen years old and penniless, already well educated in anarchist ideals. She went on to become a remarkable woman and one of the most principled revolutionaries of the 20th century.
Emma joined the anarchist movement in 1889 soon after the Haymarket Affair (Riot or Massacre) in 1885. When a peace rally in support of the workers striking for an eight hour day was seriously disrupted by a bomb that was thrown into the crowd. It caused the death of three civilians and seven policemen and many severe injuries.The legal proceedings that followed attracted much international interest. Eight anarchist were wrongfully accused; one was given a life sentence and the others were sentenced to death. Eventually two of the death sentences were commuted, another prisoner committed suicide and the others were hung. It was later that the remaining prisoners were acquitted. The event provoked much public sympathy and it was because of this that the May Day observances were set in place, The Haymarket Martyrs Monument was made a designated National Historic Landmark in 1997.
Emma became a writer and notable speaker on anarchist philosophy, women’s rights and social issues attracting crowds of people. She founded the anarchist journal Mother Earth.
Emma was imprisoned several times for inciting riots and distributing information about birth control. Again in 1917 for conspiring to ‘induce persons not to register for the recently instated draft’ not long after her release she was arrested again with hundreds of others and deported to Russia. She lived for two years in the Soviet Union before breaking with the Bolsheviks and denouncing Lenin for ‘betraying the revolution.’ Following this she lived in England, Canada and France; Then she traveled to Spain to support the anarchist revolution there.
Emma died at the age of 70 in 1940.
As with some some women previously discussed, Emma was on one hand applauded as a free thinking rebel woman on the other some denounced her as a supporter of politically motivated murder and militant revolution.
According to Martin Duberman she was a brilliant orator who toured the country opposing capitalism and nationalism, the champion of artistic modernism, defender of women and minorities and an independent writer and leading voice in anarchism.
After years of obscurity Emma Goldman’s iconic status was revived in the 1970s when anarchist and feminist scholars rekindled popular interest.
Further reading Mother Earth an epic drama of Emma Goldman’s life by Martin Duberman.
100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week#72
Florence Nightingale’s mother would have said in no uncertain terms ‘You said, you would do what?’ When the graceful young woman, after having what she considered to be a call from God, decided to become a nurse. At first she was respectful of her family’s wishes. However, it was not long before she fought against her expected role to become a wife and mother. In spite of fierce opposition and the restrictive social code for upper -class women Florence was able to educate herself in the art and science of nursing. Furthermore give up her home comforts to nurse the wounded of the Crimean War.
Weekly Photo Challenge … Resolved
I am going t fulfil a lifelong dream and be creative; an artist. I attended Saturday morning art classes at Southampton Art College in the early 1960s and even got a an ‘O’ level for my efforts. Sadly with peer pressure, and a realistic view of my ability in the long term to make money, my dream to be famous died in 1967.
And not risen as an option until now nearly 50 years later. Since starting my blog I had aspirations as regards writing and creativity but that hasn’t materialised. I have great admiration for bloggers who can make a science fiction, a romantic novel or a historical epic happen in 6 Sentences, 100 Words or in Tweet!
I have generally muddled along doing what in effect is a Picture Book; grabbing a picture, a bit of information and Hey presto … blandness not creativity!
Until recently inspired by some of the illustrators I have researched lately; I am going to play with printing. So far my results have been clumsy and not ready for public opinion; if ever. They obviously do not match any of the great masters, but make me smile. Is that enough for a new years resolution?
I have learned that I would rather have a mobile phone than not
![DSCN0536[1]](https://nelabligh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dscn053611.jpg)
I realise that there is a real issue relating to young people and their access to technology and social media and I have no wish to argue with this . Particularly as I have grandchildren and I see the problems their parents have ensuring the children understand some sort of balance in their relationship with education and communication.
Also, I will not blab on about the good old days and how wonderful it was not having a telephone, money in your hand and the good old pigeon post.
Letter writing was the only way of keeping in touch with distant friends and relations; I had pen-pals and wrote regularly to worldwide friends. However, it was a laborious and painstaking business my mother was stickler (and the Queen’s English) for good grammar and perfect handwriting so letter writing was never a spontaneous and joyful occurrence.
My Dad was sailor; and a fine navigator, reliant on age old methods, wireless, ship to shore radio and radar, he would I am sure have welcomed the new world technology if only for the protection of seamen and their cargo.
As a librarian, I would be a fool to suggest that it is only in the 21st century that communication is world wide. It has been since the 15 century and the invention of the press that scientists and explorers have been able to bring the world to our schools, libraries and universities. Nonetheless it was only the rich, monks and the upwardly mobile who had access to this vital information .
Today a relatively poor mother and daughter(s) can conduct a perfectly normal everyday life over thousands of miles with the use of a mobile phone with a camera.
‘Mum , how do I cook apple pie? “Will this colour blue suit me?” ‘Oh yes and I miss you”
‘Will you transfer some money over to my current account? ‘ etc etc.
The day I left home my mother said ‘ … and don’t come back come crying you cannot manage … you have made your bed now lie on it!’
So much for the good old days!
Having said that however I think the dilemma’s faced by young parents at the moment or at anytime would test a saint . My opinions are lighthearted and not critical of any age particularly.
Silent Sunday
Saturday … Happy New Year!
I am struggling to start this post as I find myself looking back on last week that are difficult to describe; only those who have experienced the ‘empty nest’ feeling will understand. The whole business is fraught with highs and lows and of course that mixed that with Christmas; another of life’s ‘syndromes’ the angst has been doubled. So you will appreciate for me to discuss with honesty will be impossible or the length of War and Peace. The bottom line will be that actually all things considered it was a pretty damned good Christmas. Also the parcel arrived (with a hefty import charge!) and the ‘opening’ will be on Monday, in the new home (my daughter moved to a new house in the favela this week) with some fine sparkling and Skype Hurrah! So back on the journey.
Happy New Year!!
The parcel doesn’t know its lateness,
cannot tell of its loneliness or despair.
Nor of its comfort or delight
It is a surprise!
Friday’s Library Snapshot … Arabian Fairy Tales by Amina Shah
I came across this book while browsing the shelves for more fairy tales, this one took my eye. The illustrations were so dramatic quite unlike any I had seen recently. The illustrator was George Buday (1907-1990) born in Kolozsar, Transylvania (then part of Hungary) where he studied art and graduated with a PHD in 1934. During this time he travelled to England where produced his first wood engravings. After learning about the work of the University Settlements in East London he became one of the founders of the Agrarian Settlement Movement in Hungary. He began teaching graphic arts at the Hans Joseph University and won a travelling scholarship to London in 1937 where he settled. During the war he worked as a broadcaster for the BBC, he also worked for the British Foreign Office; later in 1948-1949 was the Director of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in London.
He continued wood engraving after his first visit to London and worked as a freelance illustrator; first in Hungary and then again in London.
In 1953 he acquired a Victorian Albion printing press on which he was able to print booklets, and broadsheets. He received commissions from Penguin Classics and Oxford Standard Authors series to print book-covers, title pages and frontispieces. He was particularly interested in folk art and traditional culture his research in these fields provided much material for his own works such as the History of Christmas Cards and the Little Books.
Although Buday did most of his work in England he was considered a European artist and of the Expressionist school, he has made a memorable contribution to the British school of wood engraving.
The Bike … a small stone.
My bike lives in the back garden each morning I take it through the house and ride her to work; I have been doing it for years ; today I noticed that …
I grumble at the dear girl, when she gets tangled in the curtain which hangs by the back door. I even give that a spiteful yank as I twirl it back into its loop. I grimace when the bike bumps into the dining table, lunges towards the bookcase and drags it’s pedal along the paint work, again! Do I do this everyday? Does she notice? What would happen if I said something nice and smoothed her saddle?
Coat Hanger Doll's House 