Happy Christmas 2021

Happy Christmas 2021

December 2019 revisited

Same message, just search for foods with vitamin C, D and Zinc. Choose the fruits and vegetables etc  that suit you and incorporate them in your weekly meals.

Check health sites for recommended amounts and increase them if you are being very physical.

Review what nobel prize winner Linus Pauling had to say about Vitamin C and the common cold and flu too.

I compiled the sketch below after surpassing one year without cold /flu in 2019!  Now passed Three years.

November 2019 Revisited

November 2019 Revisited

Mushroom Sketch revisited

I compiled this mushroom sketch in November 2019. Edith Holden documented much about fungi in her November 1906 diary entry.

Fast forward to 2021, mushrooms and toadstools can still be found in various surroundings that accommodates them!

The Agrivoltaics  example above is Jack's Solar Garden.  

 Botanical Solar Farms / Gardens may well turn out to be fruitful tourist attractions in the future!

Brolly Fruit!

The fruit image on the pot is made from brolly fabric.

Coming into the winter season  in particular, people need to check and consume foods that contain vitamin C and D, (various websites give suggested dosage). Although I would add, the amount you consume should reflect what you are doing.  For example, someone having a very active day / doing active work would need more than someone who is sitting down a lot!

If you do not like fruit in it's original form, then there are plenty of recipe books and online recipe apps such as BBC Food that you can enter an item into. For example 'Pineapple', over 120 recipes will be displayed (as of 04Nov21).

The contents shown in these pots include indoor  'air purifying' plants, (Aloe Vera, Chrysanthemum and English Ivy).  For information on air purifying plants simply search online.

Other October Observations

In her 1905 Nature Notes, (The Nature Notes of An Edwardian Lady, published 1989), Edith Holden
writes,

 'Oct. 6th. There is a fine harvest of beech-mast this year, the ground beneath the trees is strewn with empty shells and ripe kernals and there are still plenty to fall.  The foliage of the Beech tree is just beginning to turn its' rich golden red, the Horse-chestnuts have long since put on their Autumn glory of gold.'

So there is a beech mast in 1905, we had an oak mast in 2020, do these trees alternate in having excess 
seeds by year?

 'Oct. 19th. Bright frosty morning.  Walked through the fields to get some leaves and berries...'

As of today, 30th October 2021, we have had no frost this month.

October  Revisited

Acorn Sketch revisited

I compiled this acorn sketch in October 2019. On 10th October 1906 Edith mentions that she, 'brought home some of the fruit of the Wild Service tree and some Acorns, to paint.'

There were no acorns on the oak tree in our garden this year.  However, there was a plethora of acorns in 2020.

September Revisited

 Horse Chestnuts Revisited

I compiled this horse chestnut sketch in September 2019.  Horse Chestnuts and Sweet chestnuts were items mentioned in Edith's nature notes in 1905 and 1906.  September 1905 Edith was in the Olton area and found both 'Horse Chesnut' and Spanish or 'Sweet Chesnut' on the Olton Golf Course.

In September 1906, Edith was in Scotland where she saw some huge nut trees, '...the largest Nut trees I have ever seen;'.

Edith Holden, Artist 150th date of Birth

 Edith Holden 150th Date of Birth Today (26th September)

The Apple Tree

The Apple Tree

The garden in the 1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden. As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley (William Cecil), it is possible that this is a representation of his garden at that time.

John Gerard encourages people to,

“have land and living ..to .. Graffe, plant and nourish up trees in every corner of your grounds, the labour is small, the cost is nothing, the commoditie is great, your selves shall have plentie, the poor shall have somwhat is time of want to relieve their necessitie, and God shall reward your good mindes and diligence”.

The phrase ‘An Apple a day keeps the doctor away’, became popular in the 19th century.  Benefits of apples include:

- soluble fibre that helps lower cholesterol
        - the bioflavonoids properties help in the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases
        - quercetin which is believed to be protective against heart disease and cancer
        - enhances dental hygiene

The apple shown below was compiled from red and yellow brolly fabric.

The Tree

The Tree

The garden in the 1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden. As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley (William Cecil), it is possible that this is a representation of his garden at that time.

The season could be late spring to early summer when the leaves are fully out on deciduous trees. The woman looking down on the garden, flanked by angelic looking beings maybe Mary Queen of Scots.  This is possible as she abdicated in 1567 and died in 1587. As this first frontispiece was completed in 1597, perhaps it was also a form of dedication / memorial to the former Queen.

I’m still working on improving my tree art.  This one is drawn on yellow brolly material. 

Some Early Gardens

Some Early Gardens

People have been creating and tending gardens for thousands of years. Two historical gardens are: 

* The biblical garden, east of Eden that God formed and first placed Adam. 

“ And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis c2 v8-9 KJV

* The Garden of Hesperides mentioned in Greek Mythology and understood to be located in North Africa.

The garden shown on, 'The Herball'  1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden.

As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley, (William Cecil) for a period of time, it is possible that this is a representation of his garden.

I’m still working on improving my tree art.  The tree shown below is sketched on a green broken brolly material. 

One character can play many parts 

In previous posts, I have alluded to the possibility that the lady on top of this frontispiece could be the goddess Flora or Themis.  This time, based on her attire, I am looking at the possibility that she could represent the goddess Artemis. Some observations: 

• Corset or zona  - with a similar outline to the item on the bottom right plinthe
• Other attire – long blue dress and red robe
• Mushroom  effect / colour – chanterelle or leather tan

St George 2021

Happy St George's Day (Friday 23rd April 2021)

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
Some people think that the chap holding the Fritillary plant (bottom right), is a representation of William Shakespeare, who is also remembered on 23rd April.  Whilst he would have been around in that time period, the plants being held by the lad indicates that there were some geographical implications i.e. the sweetcorn in his left hand originated from the Americas and the Fritillary flower possibly from Asia.
John Gerard used the term ‘Of Turkie’ in his description for both the sweetcorn and the flower.  

Then there is the weird poem preceded by the reference to; ‘Martial seemeth to call Fritillas Abacus, or the Tables whereon men play at Dice, in the fifth booke of his Epigrams, writing to Galla.

The sad Boy now his nuts cast by,
Is call’d to Schoole by Masters cry:
And the drunke Dicer now betray’d
By Flattering Tables as he play’d,
Is from his secret tipling house drawne out,
Although the Officer he much besought,
&c.’

I have included a sketch of the Fritillary also known as: “Turkey-hen, Ginny-hen floure, Chequered Daffodill and Fritillarie, according to the Latine'. All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella). 

Happy Mother’s Day

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
The lady at the top of this art work is holding a basket of flowers in each hand.  I can see what looks like a sunflower in the right basket.  On reflection, it could be another plant from the Compositae family of flowers. Another observation, the basket is both lower and larger than the one in her left hand.  This could indicate the weight of the sunflower which can grow over 20 feet tall!  

So, for me now the representation of this lady in the frontispiece is possibly more to do with balance.  Light weight flora in her left hand and a heavier weight in her right.  Maybe presenting the ancient Greek goddess Themis, known for her clear sightedness – Greek Goddess of Justice and Law. 

John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the “Floure of the Sun or the Marigold of Peru”
“…we have found by triall, that the buds before they be floured, boiled and eaten with butter, vineger and pepper, after the manner of Artichokes are exceedingly pleasant meat.”

Either way, one to avoid in the garden for hay fever sufferers!  Although in recent times, some say that seafood and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-flammatory effect.  So consuming those foods could help to overcome the hay fever issue.

Almost universally, sunflowers are a symbol of hope, healing and joy.  In terms of health it is reputed to: improve skin health, boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system amongst other benefits. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine of Italy was born in 226AD Temi, Italy and died 14 February 269AD in Rome.  

The most famous miracle attributed to St Valentine is believed to have happened via a letter he sent to a blind girl.  The girl miraculously gained her sight to read the note.

In modern times, some people exchange cards and gifts such as flowers, chocolates and have a special meal to mark the occasion as a token gesture of love!

Some drinks that are good for the heart include: water, beetroot juice and carrot juice.  Healthy heart foods include: tomatoes, bell peppers, grapes and dark chocolate.

The red and yellows aspects of the sample artwork below are made from a broken umbrella.

Happy New Year 2021

 Happy New Year 2021

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece. The lady – possibly a portrayal of the goddess Flora, is holding a basket of flowers in each hand.  I can see a rose or is it a tulip in the left basket?  Why are all the flora petals in the basket shown in red? 

John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the rose
“The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthening of the heart and refreshing of the spirits and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling... It mitigateth the paine of the eies proceeding of a hot cause, bringeth sleep,  which also the fresh roses themselves provoke through their sweet and pleasant smell.” 

I have included an applique of roses compiled in 2016 for comparison.  All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella).