We woke this morning to frost on the kitchen extension roof and ice on the water features. The day continued cold and overcast with a top temperature of 7C.
The quotation from Christina Rossetti’s ‘Spring’ given by Libre Paley in
https://librepaley.com/2021/04/06/alive-in-everything/
sent me to reread the work in
my copy of her poems illustrated by Florence Harrison, published by Blackie and Son 1n 1910, with an introduction by Alice Meynell. Many of the entries are illustrated with full page tipped in colour plates protected by tissue sheets. Others, like ‘Spring’ are topped and tailed by line drawing vignettes.
This gave me the idea of intermittently adding an example to my normal posts, beginning with this one. Thank you for the inspiration, Libre.
A little later, Francesca, from Kitchen Makers, visited to measure and advise on our potential next house refurbishment projects.
After lunch we visited the Pharmacy at Milford on Sea, and went on for a drive.
Pennington Church has a bright crocheted banner along its front hedge.
A fallen tree lies in the stream that reflects branches still intact overhead and is crossed by the Boldre end of Church Lane. I stood on the bridge and photographed some of the
creamy blackthorn froth that currently lathers the spring hedgerows.
A pair of bay ponies slaked their thirst and satisfied their hunger on the edge of the lake on Jordan’s Lane, adding their reflections to those of the surrounding trees and the nearby buildings. The dominant member of the partnership tossed her head and sprayed water in the direction of her companion, as if to say “keep off my gazpacho”.
This evening we dined on oven battered haddock and chips, garden peas, pickled onions, and gherkins, with which we both drank Conch y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2020.
Thank you for the reference to such a beautiful poem, Derrick… So apt, and magically written – I will also have to look up Christina Rossetti’s work!
Your header image of the Blackthorn froth is equally lovely.
Where does time go?! Oh, to be a beautiful New Forest pony, splashing in the puddles, quickly checking ones reflection, then posing for photos, posted to the many admirers, all around the world!
Thank you very much, Emma. Your description of the pony and its life is equally magical 🙂
The poem reminded me of a line from Samuel Beckett. I would not have associated the two. I think I have been seeing blackthorn blossom here but am not confident to identify them. I have really wished I knew more about hedgerow trees (and trees in general) during lockdown when they have been almost like companions and am determined to learn more this year.
Thanks very much, Susan. A guide for me is that the blackthorn comes out in March/April whereas the may comes out in May 🙂
What a beautiful array of photographs. The blackthorn blossoms look very pretty indeed and I enjoyed Christina Rossetti’s poem very much.
Thank you very much, Anne.
So many beautiful lines in Christina Rossetti’s work, and this poem in particular. Thanks for sharing. Such beautiful photos, too. That “blackthorn froth” is lovely, and I love the reflections and the ponies with their gazpacho.
Thank you so much for your appreciation, Merril.
You’re very welcome.
The blackthorn is looking good this year. Ours is finally getting into full swing and it really does cheer the place up. Poetry too – yuo spoil us! 🙂
You are worth it, Quercus. Thanks very much.
🙂
Wonderful quote from a lovely poem; thank you for sharing it, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
Good to see you communing with nature and nature communing back.
Ha, on the last photo! That pony is saying, “Not sharing today!” 😉 😀
I’ve always enjoyed Christina Rossetti’s writings! A joy to reread her Spring here today!
Your photos from the bridge are beautiful! And your reflection photos always bring great joy! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…for us tonight ’twas a pot of pinto beans, ham, green chilis, onion, and spices! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. A tempting dinner you had. 🙂 X
These crochet people never stop working.
A very good selection of pictures today. The gazpacho remark gets ten out of ten for effort. 🙂
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I had to look up how to spell it 🙂
So many gorgeous shots today, Derrick. You spoil us!
I’m pleased you think so, Jill. Thank you very much.
The blackthorn in your header is so beautiful! You’re so fortunate to have a 1910 edition of Christina Rosetti’s poetry. In addition to the poetry, the Art Nouveau illustrations must be a delight. (I’m very partial to Art Nouveau.)
Me too, Liz – much kinder than Art Deco. I bought the book nearly 50 years ago. Thanks very much.
I like Art Deco, too, but you’re right that Art Nouveau is kinder without all the sharp edges.
the face on the horse (last picture) is priceless…thank you for the big smile..
🙂 and thank you, too, Q
Thank you Derrick, I’ve just copied “Spring” into my poetry collection folder …
I wondered whether you might, Ivor 🙂 I’m pleased. Thanks very much
I’m reading Walt Whitman’s poetry book “Leaves of Grass” at the moment, no illustrations but truly some fascinating writings. .. I think I’ll do an article soon, ?
Good
Derrick, what a gorgeous poetry book! So lovely. FROST?! Good grief. That does not sound good, but it does sound like my memories of Michigan :).
Thank you very much, Luanne. No frost this morning 🙂
The effort that went into publication in times gone by is magnificent. Your library is a treasure trove. And the blackthorn hedge is a suitably beautiful match.
Thank you so much, Gwen.
Gosh, it’s been cold for you. All the horse pictures are great, but that last one is especially good.
Thanks very much, Laurie. We can’t match h Maine cold 🙂
So true! Even with climate change, Maine gets very cold in the winter. I have a question about Jackie’s owls. Does she bring them in for the winter? Or do they stay outside?
They stay outside – and so far survive
That’s what I thought. You have a milder winter than we do. Don’t think my amphibians would make it through the winter.
I love the illustrations of Florence Harrison. That mural at the church looks like it took considerable work. The ponies at the lake seemed to enjoy the water – must be something especially good in there.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. They really seem to like the weed.
Stunning sir.
Thanks very much, Gary
Wow the cover of that book os beautiful
And so are the photos
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome
the blackthorn blossoms are beautiful! i saved the poem (cut and paste) as it is late my time. i will read it tomorrow which i’m sure i will enjoy. thanks for sharing, Derrick 🙂
And thank you, Lola
Great pictures, Derrick. The last pic of a pony’s face is priceless but the reflection gives the impression of longer legs.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. Perhaps that is why she was in the water 🙂
🙂
The book of poetry was a nice introduction to the post, Derrick, and I enjoyed all the photos from your day, especially those bay ponies!
I looked up Blackthorn trees, to see if we have them here. We do, but they are considered an invasive exotic species here. They are so beautiful!
https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=14122
Thanks very much, Lavinia. The link was interesting, and I’m pleased you appreciated the book of poetry
More beautiful illustrations
Thanks very much, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
Perfect poem. I’ll have to investigate Rossetti’s work. Never tire of seeing the ponies.
Thanks very much, Peggy.
I had never heard of blackthorn, and don’t really care to make its aquaintance after reading this ” A piece of blackthorn burying itself under the skin might cause severe infection, blood poisoning, swelling and pain. If left too long before treatment, amputation might be the result. Blackthorns are covered in unpleasant bacteria.”
Sorry, but my mind works in mysterious ways some days. Who was the one who battered that poor innocent fish? 🙂
That will make me rather more careful with blackthorn. I hoped someone might run with ‘battered’ – thanks for not disappointing, Yvonne. 🙂
I do hope that the church will keep their knitted Jesus safe on his donkey for ever and ever. It deserves to be resurrected every spring and put in place on the evergreen hedge. Two wonderful creations!!
We’ll see next year, John. Thanks very much.
Christina Rossetti’s “In the Bleak Midwinter” may be my favorite poem-turned-hymn, but I’ve not explored her work much beyond that. This is a clear invitation to do so — many thanks!
And the same to you, Linda.
Beautiful! Beautiful indeed! Good morning! And thank you!
And thank you, too, Outosego
Definitely a Spring post. Love it.
Thanks very much, Sherry 🙂
Your pony shots at the lake are magnificent – number three is another that deserves the honour of a replication in oils.
Thank you very much, Sue
What a beautiful book. The illustrations go so well with the images of spring, even the light rain – and especially the delicate blossom.
Thank you very much, Libre.
A gal’s gazpacho is sacred! 😀
🙂 Thanks a lot, Widders
Your talent surprise&delight me, Derrick.
Thank you very much indeed, Kally
Lovely to see the blackthorn blossom. I hope there will be sloes ?
I’ll look out for them. Thanks very much, Helen
I’ve never used sloes but they do make gin look pretty!