Weekly Photo Challenge: Delicate

Posted on Posted in Devon, England, PhotographyTagged , , , , , , , 17 Comments

Made it at last and it was staring me in the face all the time!

It’s said that at harvest time the last few stalks of corn would be made into a Dolly, a place of rest for the Corn spirit to ensure that the next harvest would be a good one. Since man’s earliest days it was believed that various deities were in command of the cycles and fruitfulness of the crops and so ever since hunter gatherers settled to cultivate the land they have been ceremonies to honour them. Look at the root of the word ceremony – we grow cereals, named for the Roman Goddess of the harvest, Ceres. Other deities include Demeter, the Earth Goddess ( my personal favourite) and Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of fertility.

In the wake of science, traditions are largely forgotten, but corn Dollies are still seen as a symbol of fertility. They are sometimes given to a couple on their marriage or handfasting, as a christening or new home gift. This is a modern take on the traditional Corn Dolly and made by Margaret Sweetland here in Devon, she also makes more traditional ones in a range of lovely knot shapes. She does talks and demonstrations to groups like the Women’s Institute, making sure the skills stay alive.

To join in visit http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/photo-challenge-delicate/

Easy Saturday

Posted on Posted in Devon, England, FoodTagged , , , , 12 Comments

It shouldn’t be, I have so  much to do to prepare for Christmas, even a couple of gifts still to buy and cards to write. I wanted to photograph something on Topsham quay but rain stopped play and brunch was taken instead, a full veggie breakfast at Route 2. Next stop Sidmouth, where I wanted to walk on the beach and again take photos – rain stopped play. On the way home we stopped at the farm shop for bread, and to check out the displays of luscious tuck from near and far, all very mouthwatering.

Ailsa’s Travel Theme

Posted on Posted in Devon, England, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , , , , 9 Comments

Transportation is Ailsa’s Travel Theme this week, click the link to join in.

The current Higher Ferry from Dartmouth has been operating since 2009, but it has a history reaching back to the 14th century. In the 1920’s it became  a car ferry and now operates for 16 hours each day, and apart from the queue it takes 5 minutes, saving a 26 mile drive that takes 50 minutes. A beautiful leisure drive but tedious if it separates home from work etc, connecting the South Hams with Torbay on the A379.

This was a very grey day back in June, but it’s a nice little jaunt in the sunshine!

CPW’s Picture prompt

Posted on Posted in Creative writing, flash fiction, WritingTagged , , , , 40 Comments

Last week I went for a lunchtime walk with Crazy Polish Woman who complained that my blog is full of photos and not much writing these days. I explained that I have to keep my best writing for the course I’m studying, and to build up a body of work, but I do try to do the 100 word challenge most weeks, because flash fiction isn’t too trying.

Back at my desk she emailed me this picture, with the question ‘What is happening here?’

Desktop

The picture, by Charles Sims is called ‘and the fairies ran away with their clothes’ . But this is what I think is happening, what do you think?

Small Saboteurs

Now my love I want you to listen carefully.

You see these pretty little creatures at my feet? Well they are my small saboteurs and they lived with me for a long time. In the beginning they smiled and told me I was a silly little girl. But gradually they started to change. They said I was stupid, a hopeless case and that I would never get anywhere in life, and I believed them and became just that, hopeless.

Next they said I was ugly, and that I was getting fat. And so I never smiled, I screwed my face into a frown, turned my mouth down and ate and ate until I thought I would burst.

Worst of all, was when they told me that no one would ever love me. So I made sure that no one would, I behaved very badly.

Still my small saboteurs told me how bad I was, they all shouted at once and gave me such a headache that I shouted back, ‘Stop it, shut up and go away,’ I was very angry. They fell silent and huddled together, so I quickly put them in my hat and locked it in my drawer.

I felt a little better right away, and the very next day I met a handsome man, who said that I had a pretty smile. I smiled at myself in the mirror, turning from side to side, and saw that I had a tiny bit of prettiness, so I smiled wider!

The handsome man was always kind to me, and before I knew it, he said that he loved me and wanted me to be his wife. I was so happy that I forgot all about the small saboteurs, and then along you came.

So I want you to know that if ever a saboteur speaks to you, they speak untruths, and you must never believe them. I’ve taken these creatures out of the drawer and I’m going to drop them in the old well one by one, never to be seen or heard again.