As we sit beneath another day of incessant rain I cannot bring myself to wax lyrical about the Howling Wolf up above and his continuous drumbeats on the skylight.
I therefore present an earlier relevant post most of my readers will not have seen: https://derrickjknight.com/2014/10/06/the-uses-of-enchantment/
From the days when my blog had yet to build up interest, this deals with literary thoughts stimulated by frightening weather and more.
Jacqueline and Elizabeth visited in time for dinner for which Jackie produced succulent roast lamb; crisp roast potatoes; al dente carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; tender runner beans, and meaty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden, my sisters drank CEO Mencia Bierco 2019, and I finished the Cabernet Sauvignon.
I hope you get a break from the rain, Derrick! Send it over here…
You would be welcome. John. Thank you very much
Sending sun and cheers over the pond Derrick ~ smiles hedy ☺️🌞💫
Thank you very much, hedy
We are getting rain tomorrow – perhaps that’s the rain you’re having now – heading way west!
Could be, Barbara. Thank you very much.
A good supper, with special people, can ensure a positive end to even the most inclement of days.
Thank goodness for Jackie and your sisters – and let’s hope that the weather soon remembers that it is now June!
It’s going to be good for the garden… eventually
Yep. Thanks a lot, Geoff
I almost feel guilty about the pleasant and calm weather here over the last few days. Almost, but not quite, as it makes a a very satisfactory contrast for us to the usual weather situation. I hope that your rain stops soon and i hope that we get just enough for the garden soon too.
It is quite an abnormal contrast. Enjoy it, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
While it lasts.
When I saw the title of your post come across my email, I thought you would be writing about Howlin’ Wolf of “Smokestack Lightnin'” fame!
You are not alone, Liz. It was either that Howlin’ or Howling Wolf, the Cherokee Indian chief. I plumped for the latter – glad you got it. Thanks very much 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Sounds as if the weather didn’t give you the chance to appreciate you had the longest day of the year.
That totally passed me by, Gwen 🙂 Thanks very much
We had heavy rain yesterday. Our flowers seemed to enjoy it. Sending some sunshine across the pond!
Thanks a lot, Jill
Being German I grew up with Struwwelpeter. I hated carrots but I ate them. It was better than having Struwwelpeter leap from behind the curtains and …. 😵💫
Well you certainly know all about that book, Mrs N. Thank you very much.
Ha ha- oh… yes I do 😵💫
Where the Wild Things Are was one of my favorite books to read to my children. I still have a copy at the house. I told them that Max wasn’t really going to hurt his dog, but needed to go to his room to calm down. When the wild rumpus started, I would dance the book back and forth saying, “Rumpus. Rumpus. Rumpus.”
You and many other parents, JoAnna. My nephew Adam made one of the little creatures for the film. Thank you very much.
That’s awesome that your nephew made one of the wild things!
Thanks very much, JoAnna. I’ll pass it on 🙂
I was sure we were going to be treated to Chicago bluesman Howlin’ Wolf! I found some footage of one of his appearances in England, in 1964, showcasing his classic called “Smokestack Lighnin’
Thank you very much for this wonderful link, Linda. For my title I tossed between this Howlin’ and Howling Wolf, the Cherokee Indian chief 🙂 – but you got it.
That past blog post is certainly in my wheelhouse. Hope the driving rain stops soon. Nice to have visitors on such a day.
That is another phrase you have taught me, Laurie. I thought it would be. We expect a dry but dull day today. Thanks very much
😉
Crisp roast potatoes… I LOVE THEM!
Yes, indeed. Thanks very much, Sonali
♥♥
I fully agree with the observation that the exposure to scary folk tales prod us to come to terms with the darker sides of life. I am not surprised by your frequent allusion to the howling wolf and the pigs! Your quick overview of Grimm Brothers, Struwwelpeter and Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ was a delight, and also an insight into child psychology.
PS: WordPress has changed so many things for worse. It is no longer possible to interact on a WP link from another WP blog when using the reader on a mobile device. How low can they descend?
We should distribute free copies of Struwwelpeter. Thank you, Uma, for your very good analysis of ‘Uses Of Enchantment’.
While you’re having rain, our weather is unseasonably hot. I’ve never seen it this hot in June.
I also agree with Bettleheim. I read a couple of his books many years ago and very much enjoyed his original thinking. Fairy tales and fables were a delight to me when I was a child. I don’t remember ever being frightened by the witches and wolves. But then, I didn’t read Struwwelpeter.
Thanks very much, Nicki. I didn’t read Struwwelpeter until a few years ago. I’m pleased that Bettelheim appealed.
No rain here but a bitterly cold wind.
Ouch. My sister from Boston is down for a few days – maybe it will warm up for her return. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Sun is out this morning.
The north would benefit from a day or so of the rain in the south – I never thought I would hear myself saying that!
Nor I, Sue. Thanks very much
Thank you for directing us to your earlier post – I have commented on it there. Suffice to say I was delighted to read it.
Thank you so much, Anne. I am pleased that you liked it
If only we could somehow organise the rain to fall where it is needed !
Indeed, John. Thanks a lot.
Send some rain this way, please! 🙂
The book Where the Wild Things Are was a fave of mine, my kids, and my students! 🙂 And the film of it is fabulous! 🙂
Good that Elizabeth could come and enjoy that delicious meal and the company of you and Jackie!!! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. My nephew, Adam (Elizabeth’s son), made one of the little creatures in the film. X
Oh! This is so wonderful! He created something that so many people have enjoyed! I say Thank You to him! 🙂
I’ll pass it on 🙂
Thank you!
Weather is changing for everyone. Makes for dramatic photos if one wants to brave the elements.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Sherry
I hope the wild rumpus has stopped, and you get better weather soon, Derrick!
A lovely sunny morning today, Merril. Thank you very much
Good news! 😀
I just read your earlier post, Derrick. Children’s books and folk tales told were much more gruesome back then. I remember some of the stories from my family. No shortage of strange creature stories!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidebehind
Definitely scary, Lavinia. I see J.K. Rowling used the Hidebehind – I’ve never read any Harry Potter 🙂 Thanks very much.
Hope you get get break from the rain so you can go outside and take pictures.
We are doing so now, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Your welcome.
Thank you for providing the link, Derrick.
And you for following it, Dolly
down at the bottom of the fully inhabited world – it’s damp, drizzly, dreary and we have seen no sun today – oh and it’s cold – that’s winter for you 🙂
Ouch. Thanks very much, Catherine