Although the day was dispiritingly dull, damp, and distinctly breezy we did not receive the forecast p.m. 40+ m.p.h. gusts which had prompted us both to garden in the morning. They came this evening.
Jackie completed her redesigning the Ace Reclaim Bed (so-called) after the bench we had removed from the spot), and I continued Elizabeth’s work on weeding the Heligan Path. The Head Gardener is very proud of her effort of transporting and placing the owl’s perch.
When the weather was more cheerful a brief visit from a robin set me thinking this was maybe the spirit of Nugget; and the buzzing of the bees and the chirping in the trees introduced
the spirit of Burl Ives.
A very heavy squall sent me scurrying faster than I would have believed possible back to the house at midday.
When this ceased I nipped out to photograph yesterday’s smiling peony, now looking blond and hirsute.
When dunelight sent me the link to this song from Twelfth Night
it sent me back to my copy of
As with each of these Shakespeare editions, the illustrations are taken from the stage costume designs – these being from Stratford on Avon’s 1958 production. The frontispiece depicts Orsino.
The rest, in turn, are Sir Toby Belch, Maria, Viola, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Olivia, Malvolio, and Feste.
I won’t attempt to match Sir Peter Hall’s eminent introduction.
This evening’s dinner was a repeat of yesterday’s, including the accompanying beverages.
How lovely to hear Burl Ives again! Congratulations on the fine weed-free paths too.
Thank you very much, Anne – such a relaxed, powerful, singer
Twelfth Night, one of my favourites I used to live in Stratford and as a resident I could get get cut priced unsold or cancelled seats at the theatre,
Oh dear, heaven, that!
Excellent. Thanks a lot, Andrew
I love the owl! It works well in your garden! The peony is beautiful!
Thanks very much, Dwight
You are welcome!
Please send some rain over here, Derrick! The owl is so cute. 😊🇬🇧
Thanks very much, John
Love the lightness in the dreachness Derrick 💛
Thanks very much, Val. That is what I’d hoped to do 🙂
The Wise Owl’s new positioning is perfect. He looks very satisfied with his weed free path 🙂
Lovely to have a musical accompaniment to today’s post – thank you, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Emma. A rarity for me – and two even more so.
There is something slightly indecent about that peony.
The Burl Ives song was a youthful favourite of mine, though I probably did not get the full inwardness of the lyric.
Agreed about the peony.
🙂
Figs to you, Tootlepedal. 🙂 Thanks very much
What interesting attachments. I’d heard neither before. I must say I’ve never got through an entire Shakespeare’s play. Maybe that film medium might do the trick. Good on you both for the progress in the garden.
Thanks so much, Gwen. This was the last one we saw only half of: https://derrickjknight.com/2012/09/12/a-night-at-the-globe/
“The spirit of Nugget.” LOL! I love the owl!
Thanks very much, Jill
Lovely characters designs. I don’t understand Feste’s hat. He looks rather like a Dutch girl. Shakespeare’s fools are the wisest of characters.
Thanks very much, dunelight – especially for the inspiration 🙂 I thought that was a weird outfit, too. Ben Kingsley’s singing was a surprise.
He was the sexiest fool I’ve ever seen. Woof. Malvolio..he made me so uncomfortable..cringeworthy. I recall thinking Imelda Staunton as Maria was a favorite. First time I thought to myself, who is this marvelous actor and so I’ll watch whatever she is in.
🙂
The owl looks great. I love the rose one its head. I could imagine him with a monocle. 🙂
I’m glad you spotted the rose, Chrissy – a casualty of the wind, of course. Thanks very much
Well done Derrick, I enjoyed the video’s
Thanks very much, Ivor. I’m pleased
We stayed inside all day. Wind and cold temperatures. The weather was pretty bad too! 🙂
Thanks a lot, Quercus
🙂
Well, I just had to listen Burl Ives! I enjoyed the Twelfth Night video, too.
Thank you so much, Liz. As I bent beside the libertia while weeding I could not miss the bees 🙂 I rarely post videos, so two in one post must be a first
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
I like this chain of links, Derrick. I also like Twelfth Night and your voluptuous peony.
Thank you so much, Clare. It gave me something to think about on a dull day 🙂
🙂
The owl seems quite pleased with his new perch. I enjoyed the musical video clip.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I used to listen to Burl Ives sing and play guitar at our community library when I was a child. He was retired and lived near us. He was a very nice man. He did it as a volunteer. We sat at his feet in a little circle. I remember him singing ‘Big Rock Candy Mountain,” but what I liked best was, “There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly!” Your peony is beautiful. I just photographed peonies.
What a wonderful memory, Cindy. I’m so pleased to have stirred it. Thanks you very much
PS- He lived near us. Dr Seuss (Theodore Geisel) also lived in the same town. I used to climb over Seuss’s wall hoping to get a glimpse of him! Thankfully, I left Burl alone……
Such amazing company 🙂
Yesterday, I was counting the owls in the garden photographs and was able to find five of them! It’s a wonder Jackie doesn’t have them in flesh like the robins. If you believe in reincarnation, the Spirit of Nugget surely seems to have paid a visit to you. The Ace Reclaim bed is new to me, or perhaps I have not been watchful before. You have resurrected another Folio Society treasure here.
Thank you so much, Uma. The bed is named after the bench that rusted through and will now be used as a planter elsewhere.
Looks like a wonderful day. Have a great week.
You, too, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Thank you.
You took me back to the days of the ‘Wireless’ and Saturday Morning Children’s Favourites!
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Fine costumes for “Twelfth Night” but why is Sir Andrew Aguecheek lifting his robes in that sexy way and pointing to a splash of blue paint on his left knee? Is it some kind of Shakespearean gang symbol?
I found that a bit odd, too, John. Although the play is quite erotic. Thanks very much
The vids are perfect companions to your photos! 🙂
Hi to Owl! 🙂
I am sure the spirit of Nugget will always be at home in your garden.
When we were kids my dad would pay that Burl Ives song and I was so fascinated by all the word-pics it conjured up in my head! 😮 I wanted to visit The Big Rock Candy Mountain! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
I’m pleased to have prompted that memory, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
“Twelfth Night” is one of my favorite plays, and I absolutely LOVE that film version of the play. We own the DVD, and I watch it regularly. Kingsley is a terrific Feste, and I especially like his sly rendition of the song.
Thanks very much, Laurie. His singing was an eye-opener for me
Had you envisioned it sung in a different way?
I hadn’t imagined the genuine traditional folk song intonation
It has been a long time since i have read Shakespeare. Must read his plays but I don’t know when 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Lakshmi
It seems like the weather had you scurrying all about yesterday.
That looks like such a delightful production of Twelfth Night!
Jackie’s owl looks confused by the move. I love the spirit of Nugget. I hope that’s true.
Thank you very much, Merril. I have to say that this owl is a first-born twin of the second one which has not been moved 🙂
😀
The gardens in rain are as beautiful as in sunlight, Derrick and Jackie!
I remember that wonderful Burl Ives song. My parents had a number of his records. I enjoyed the song from Twelfth Night, too, and will look for that movie. Thank you! 🙂
Thanks very much – from us both, Lavinia.
Gosh, that was a real blast from the past – Burl Ives and his Buzzin’ of the bees in the cigarette trees. Thanks for the memories. Great post – as ever, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Roland
It is interesting to see you branch out into musical links, Derrick. The costumes are fabulous.
I appreciate that, Dolly. Thank you very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
Burl Ives with his song is awesome. Dreams come true.:-)
Thanks very much, Alexander
The garden looks lovely and I’m glad you have a new robin visitor. I think my sweetheart will like the Rock Candy Mountain song so I have sent it to him.
🙂 Thanks very much, Susan