Friendship's Token - Pink Saturday

This is an illustration from a wonderful vintage book of poetry. My dear friend Marian gave it to me with this inscription: “To a very special friend. From among my OLD memories.”

She flew away to heaven some time ago. I will always miss her very much. And so in honor of my dear Friend I share this poem:

Only a little token,
Offered for Friendship’s sake—
Picture and song together
Here, with my greeting, take.
*
What though on brightest pictures
Time’s hand at last be lain;
What though earth’s songs awaken
Only to sleep again?
*
Voices once loved ring ever
In faithful listening ears;
The sacred hand of Friendship
Gleams through the mist of years.
-- Ellis Walton

For more wonderful pink moments please visit Bev at Pink Saturday.

Elven Hill

This illustration is from one of the fairytale books in my collection. When I was a little girl I often daydreamed about visiting fairyland, or entering the doorway in the hill where the Elves lived.

The style of this pen and ink drawing is wonderful. I especially love the lizards in the gnarled tree. I would pour over these drawings by the hour, dreaming, making up stories of my own.

I still have a GREAT imagination!

Joseph and His Bride - Festival of Postcards

This wonderful illustration was done by J. C. Leyendecker. He became well known for his use of light and shadow within shadow. He was the premier cover illustrator for The Saturday Post for much of the first half of the 20th century. Leyendecker was mentor and friend of Norman Rockwell, who was a pallbearer at Leyendecker's funeral in 1951.

This postcard is my submission for the Festival of postcards - White. Here is Leyendecker's fanciful illustration from the ancient story of Joseph found in Jewish history. We do know Joseph married and had children, but nothing is said of his wife--pictured here. Some say she was a high-born Egyptian Princess. I like to think so, and I love this illustration because of its beauty and passion.

Joseph dreamed his brothers and family would bow to him one day. His father clearly doted upon the boy and gave him a beautiful multi-colored coat. Joseph's brothers became so jealous of their younger brother, they sold Joseph into slavery and told their father he had been killed by a wild animal. In Egypt because of his honesty and fairness, he rose to great heights, only to be falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison.

There, despite being a prisoner in that dark place, his intimacy with God put him in direct contact with the Pharaoh. When Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams tormenting the Pharaoh--seven years of plenty to be followed by seven years of famine--the ruler appointed Joseph to a powerful position just below his own. Joseph was put in charge of gathering grains and foods over the seven years of plenty, in order to have enough for the people when the seven years of famine overtook them.

When his brothers came to Egypt seeking grain, they did not recognize their own brother. In time, when Joseph revealed who he was to them, they became afraid. But Joseph told them, "Do not fear. You meant this for harm, but God used it for good."

The Sun's Travel

The sun is not a-bed, when I

At night upon my pillow lie;

Still around the earth his way he takes

And morning after morning makes.

While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy-head
Is being kissed and put to bed.

Here is another old poem, and illustration from my beloved, yet tattered book of Children's Verse, which was published around the turn of the century.

Bathing with a Hippopotamus

This illustration is from an old children's storybook printed in the late 1800's. It is a book illustrating the habits of animals both tame and wild.

It is a well-established fact the hippopotamus can be quite cranky, and is not at all inclined to hang out with mankind. I could not imagine bathing with a hippopotamus! In fact, I'm sure it must be a VERY dangerous thing to do! This fellow must be a very brave man to take such a chance. (grin)

Daddy Update: Dad made a breakthrough this morning! He actually got up and made coffee this morning. He was able to go outside with his walker yesterday afternoon--he even walked a few paces with his cane. Dad is healing faster than anyone could predict. Thanks to the prayers of people everywhere, I believe we are watching a miracle unfold! Thank you! Keep praying--Dad sees the neck doctors the first of September!

Tiny Dancer

Here is another wonderful illustration from my beloved book of Children's Poetry. Along with this drawing is this rather odd little poem.

He loves to be little, he hates to be big,

'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig;

'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tin

That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.

.

'Tis he, when at hight you go off to your bed,

Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head

For wherevery they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,

'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself!

Summer Apples

This is another illustration from my battered and beloved book of Children's poetry. Here the small child is decorously eating a pealed and cut apple from a plate.  No sign of the table knife he'd need to cut it up...  Hmmm.. 

I have wonderful memories of sitting atop the apple tree with a good book and a lapful of crunchy apples pulled from the tree's forgiving branches. What a delight to sit cuddled in the fork of the branch. To read and munch fruit so good and succulent, the juice would run down my chin. Hands sticky? Down the tree to wipe them against the deep grasses of the field. Ah, childhood!


Daddy Update: Dad is getting stronger every day. To offset the effects of the heat wave, we have moved Dad and Mom to our home. We have a small air conditioner in the living room which we are using to keep Dad cool. It is supposed to be 103 today, which is dangerous for a person of Dad's age, especially with his severe injuries. Next week I will be driving dad to an appointment with the plastic surgeon. It looks like he'll need some grafts done to cover part of the open area of the wound.
.Thank you again for all your good thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU!!! Please keep praying for Dad's continued healing.

Imaginary Friends

When children are playing alone on the green,

In comes the playmate that never was seen.

When children are happy lonely and good,

The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.

.

Nobody heard him and nobody saw,

His is a picture you never could draw,

But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,

When children are happy and playing alone.

.

He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,

He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;

Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,

The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!

This poem and picture comes from my wonderful yet tattered book of Children's poetry.

When I was a child, I had unseen friends. We played in the field and the woods together. I remember how I imagined them--beautiful faeries with gorgeously colored wings. Their clothing caught the color of their surroundings. Sometimes I could see them in my imagination, other times I did not. But I was never lonely.

.

Daddy Update: I drove Dad and Mumsie to the Veteran's Hospital. The broken bones in Dad's neck are seated in nicely, but are not healing as quickly as hoped. The surgeon says Dad will wear his neck brace for six months. Dad's bones are soft, and if the bones do not heal, they will have do surgery. The surgeon says the surgery is risky. Please pray Dad defies all expectations and heals faster than anyone could anticipate. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

A Princess in Danger

This illustration comes from another of the books in my fairytale book collection. In this story of woe, the beautiful princess is in danger. Her stepmother is in actuality a witch, who casts a spell upon the princess, turning her into a wild mindless dragon who scourges the countryside in her search for food.

The prince of a neighboring kingdom is her own true love. When he hears of the spell, he travels to the kingdom to rescue the princess. What he must do to break the spell is gruesome. He must cut 0ff the head of the dragon.

The brave prince takes strength in his love for the girl, strikes the dragon's head away. This breaks the spell and the girl is restored. The wicked stepmother is punished. She is made to dance in a pair of red hot iron shoes until she falls dead.

And the prince and princess? Of course they live happily ever after.



Daddy Update: Dad's cousin Fred came to visit Dad. Dad seems so much better for the visit. He is perky and told me he's getting really bored sitting in bed all day long! A GOOD sign!

Good Morning Kisses

This lovely illustration comes from an ancient book of children's poetry, which was printed in the early 1900's. I love the elegant graceful lines of this artist's pen and ink drawings. I have had the book in my possession forever. I'm sure it is one I've treasured since childhood--the beauty of these drawings have been a big influence my own style of drawing.

Daddy Update: I stayed until dark last night, and Dad seemed to be doing a lot better. I'm so glad it will not be as hot today--with that collar he must wear to stabilize his neck, the heat was really bothering him. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Daddy

This picture from my "cyber" collection seemed to fit my feelings this morning. When I was small I remember curling up in Dad's strong arms next to his heart. I felt so safe. Poignant.

Yesterday afternoon our parents were involved in a terrible accident. They had left our place after spending the weekend with us. Neither Mom nor Dad have any idea what happened. No other cars were involved

Mom is terribly shaken, badly bumped and bruised, but she is alright. Dad is in his early 80's and has become increasingly frail. However, he came through surgery well. Dad has a fractured place in his neck, but the injury is such that if his neck is kept perfectly still he will heal up as good as new. The surgery involved a wound vac, which helped to close the huge area of skin on top of his head which had been sliced away from his skull.

I would appreciate your prayers and good thoughts for Dad and Mom, Clytie and me, and for our family. This comes close to being one of the worst times of my life. Strange how life can completely change in one moment.

Come With Me into the Sea

This wonderful mermaid drawing comes from a book from my fairytale collection. She is indeed lovely, a true siren.

I love mermaids, but in many stories of the sea, they 're rather dastardly. These beautiful creatures have been known to lure ships onto the rocks, to pull a sailor beneath the waves to suffocate him. There are even tales of stolen lovers and missing children.

Still, I tentatively choose to believe there are those among the merfolk, who love mankind and choose to be good to them.

The Ungrateful Enchanter

Here is another illustration from the fairytale Snow White and Rose Red, found in one of the books from my collection. The dwarf pictured here is really an evil enchanter, who's beard is caught in a tree. The two lovely sisters free the ungrateful little fellow, who then stomps off into the woods.

Later in the story the girls rescue and befriend a bear who is really a prince, under a spell cast by the dwarf. To make a long story short, eventually the bear-prince eats the evil little spell-caster and the enchantment is broken.

The artist's work is beautiful, and the details are exquisite. Enjoy!

Law of the Desert

I was perusing the books on the shelf of a local antique store, when I came upon a fascinating book from the 1920's. This picture was in the flyleaf.

I enjoy old books, especially those written around the turn of the century as this one was. The romance was set in the deserts of Arabia, and ends in tragedy on one side and enduring love on the other. 

The first time I saw this book I didn't buy it, because I like happy endings, and thought this one ended unhappily. I have had enough of tragedy in real life. Later on, I did buy the book, and realized there was a happy ending for the heroine and hero--but not for the black-hearted thief who tried to end their lives.

I just love old books from around the turn of the century!

Woman in a Window

I adore this lovely illustration from over 100 years ago, found in an ancient book on Friendship.

This young woman's graceful pose as she picks flowers for her home, the beauty and detail of the window glass, give this scene a sweet realism.

When I peruse pictures like these--I become homesick for what our Grammie used to call, "the good old days."

This illustration also reminds me of one of the most expressive writers I've come across in recent days--Erin, of Woman in a Window.

The Emperor's New Clothes

This is an illustration from one of the books in my fairytale book collection. I have yet to discover how to take a picture of an illustration without that odd warping of the photo. (sigh) However, even so--this picture is just delightful. The expressions on the faces of the adults are priceless.

I have always enjoyed the story of the Emperor's New Clothes. It not only totally hits my funny bone--thinking of that pompous fellow parading before his people in his birthday suit--but there is such a lesson to be learned from that fanciful story!

The wisdom of a child is often profound. Children see things as they truly are. I think we adults sometimes need to step back and see things through the eyes of a child.

Old Homestead

The old barn behind the house where our Mother was born reminds me of this picture. This lovely drawing comes from a book about friendship published sometime in the late 1800's. The book was given to me by my beloved friend Marian--who since has gone on to heaven.

There are cords of gold which stretch from this world into the next. I know she loves me, and she is often in my thoughts.

From a Trainway Carriage

Faster than fairies, faster than witches

Barns and houses, hedges and ditches;

Charging along like troops in a battle

On through the meadows the horses and cattle:

All of the sights of the hill and the plain

Fly as thick as driving rain;

And ever again in the wink of an eye,

Painted stations whistle by.

I found this lineart picture an ancient book of illustrated children's poetry. I especially love this picture because it reminds me of my own children and some of the pictures I drew of them when they were tiny.

An Old Fashioned Word Picture

I found this word picture page at the back of an ancient book of animal stories for children. The illustrations in this book are exquisite! The artist signs his name Chas Copeland. The book was published in 1887, and is an early example of this wonderful artist's work.

Charles Copeland (1858–1945) was an American book illustrator active from about 1887 until about 1940. He was a member of the Boston Watercolor Society and the Boston Art Club. His illustrations were used in a variety of books.

I found it interesting that at that time, adults did not shield their children from the harshness of life. The book contains horrifying stories of man-eating tigers, with corresponding lineart, along with other tales of difficulties in the animal world.

I bought this book many years ago, and have enjoyed having it in my collection of tails, er, tales. (grin)