I am slightly nervous about blogging, I have had thousands of visits to the last blog, okay it was topical but it was only recorded because it was such a historical eye-opener. A terrible one I must admit, as if some Ghengis Khan had come charging from the middle of nowhere. The world is still reverberating but of course it will eventually die down. Trump could go, the billionaires put in their place and Vance given a minor government job. And the mess they have created sorted out.
So some gentle photos. This church, of which I have no name but is in Essex, we visited years ago on a very hot day. I love the old wood in the porch, a tranquil reminder of times past. Look at the church corner, the buttress and see the thin red tiles (were they Roman?) to sharpen the edge. The dead straight path through the wheat field led to an old house and at the back there were chickens scratching around in the dirt. Happy, contented little creatures.
A couple of the blocks I have been making, I love the colours how they contrast or compliment each other, the creativity of all these materials. Painted out then copied to be printed, how far we have come in technical cleverness.
What else? The book I am reading, though it expects full concentration. John Meaden the author has studied Northern history with a fine toothcomb, yet this period the so called Dark Ages when Northumbria was two smaller tribal areas, Bernicia and Deira. From the Humber to maybe the Forth the warrior kings fought over territory. It was written down by the monks, so as a truth there are many wrong copying of books. Bede, Nennius, Gilda and Geoffrey of Monmouth through the ages wrote the history down. And today's scholars like Peter Hunter Blair (though he probably isn't around anymore) and Marsden try to marry the facts together with the dates. And of course the slightly mythical, magical thinking so sons came in 3s and 9s to give the kings credence.
Oh I love the colors of your quilt blocks. What are you making, Thelma?
ReplyDeleteI've gotten into cross stitching again and am enjoying making book marks and small framed items that I donate to my local history museum volunteer group. We sell flower arrangements and floral related things to raise money for the educational programs there. School groups from all around the area come to learn about the "olden days".
It is a quilt of many colours, I am trying for a 'wash of colours' so you start maybe blue in one corner, yellow in another and so they fade into each other. Just seen an article how the young should be copying the old ways as to handicraft - it is very soothing Ellen.
DeleteThe church porch is great and the coloured glass inside the church seems rather unusual. That path is so straight and I wonder when it was first walked along.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather soothing the green and white and gives more light as well Andrew. That public path must have led to the old house I mentioned, probably the manor house. The farmer kept the path open out of respect for the old ways.
ReplyDelete