Loveable Independent Slinky Literary Cats ...

 

Literary Cats, the loveable, independent creatures, that so many people in the world love, and who give comfort to their owners.

The Literary Cats tea towel
Radical Tea Towel company

Here are some quotes found by the British Radical Tea Towel company, offering political and social statements, for the kitchen and home, inspired by history.

"If man could be crossed with the cat,

it would improve man, but it would deteriorate

the cat.”

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910) known by the pen name Mark Twain

Christopher Smart pre 1750

"For I will consider my cat Jeoffry for he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.”

Christopher Smart (1722 – 1771) was an English poet. 

He was a major contributor to two popular magazines, The Midwife and The Student, and a friend to cultural icons like Samuel Johnson and Henry Fielding.

Interestingly he was infamous as the pseudonymous midwife “Mrs Mary Midnight” … see link below by GrubStLodger …

And see his poem on Jeoffry, his cat, – from his Jubilate Agno poem (written 1759 – 1763).

A cat eating a fish under a chair -
a mural found in an Egyptian tomb,
dating to the 15th century BC

"A cat is an animal who has more human feelings than almost any other being.”

Emily Bronte (1818 – 1848)

"You may think at first I was

mad as a hatter

When I tell you, a cat must have

THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.”

"The cat is the best anarchist.”

Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961)

"God invented the cat so that mankind

could have a tiger to stroke at home.”

Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

(ha ha - love it!)

"Cats are mysterious folk. There is

more passing in their minds

than we are aware of.”

Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)

Not quite Boot - but so near ... he was a dear!

From a 20^th/21^st lover of cats … especially one called 'Boot' – why I've no idea!

The Grub Street Lodger blog - on 'Christopher Smart, drag and Mrs Midnight's oratory'

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Lamassu – the Iraqi date syrup can sculpture …

 

This magnificent sculpture stands outside our Towner Gallery … it was originally (in 2018) on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square …

Image courtesy Rob Harris
(link below)

Michael Rakowitz, the sculptor, is an Iraqi-American artist living and working in Chicago – he is known for his conceptual art shown in non-gallery contexts.

Back Leg of Lamassu sculpture

Rakowitz is known for his recycled projects … be they salvaged date syrup cans as here, or reconstructed artifacts looted from the Iraq Museum and excavation sites from diasporic ephemera, such as newspapers and grocery stores.

Close up of hoof and lower limb - showing
empty date syrup cans ... 

'Our statue' is made from 10,500 Iraqi date syrup cans sculpted around a metal frame – it is 4.3 metres (14 feet) in length.

Lamassu, a winged bull protective Assyrian deity, that stood at the entrance to the Nergal Gate of Nineveh from ca. 700 BC until February 2015, when ISIS destroyed it along with artefacts in the nearby Mosul Museum.

Lamassu, Neo-Assyrian Empire 
(c 721 - 705 BC)

Here we find Rakowitz reminding us about the disasters we are inflicting on the world through human, economic and ecological disasters caused by the Iraqi Wars (in this instance) and their aftermath …

… today we need to add at least two other wars in Ukraine and in Israeli/Gaza … let alone all other natural and unnatural disasters we are exposing the world and its occupants to …

As a reminder Iraqi dates were once considered the best in the world and formed the country's second largest export after oil.

Nineveh - city wall and gates
(NB Nergal Gate - top left)

The sculpture is entitled 'The Invisible Enemy should not exist (Lamassu of Nineveh)' – the carved cuneiform inscription was invisible to travellers as it was embedded into the wall of the Nergal Gate …

… here Rakowitz has it exposed … while it translates as “Sennercherib, king of the world, king of Assyria, had the wall of Nineveh built anew and raised as high as mountains”.

Lamma - protective winged deity,
Sumerian Isin-Larsa period
(2000 - 1800 BC)

There's rather more to Lamassu and its (her) history – to be found per the links below; also more about Michael Rakowitz.

Then of course one remembers the past twenty years of wars (War in Iraq from 2003 - 2011) and the further destruction that has been inflicted on world societies … be they human, economic and ecological – so much history to remember, to learn about …

Close up of the carved Cuneiform
inscription - sorry not easy to see

I know exceedingly little about life in the Middle East centuries ago to today … so these links can send you off down rabbit holes … and have and will send me down them again …

As our town welcomes the Turner Prize 2023 to the Towner Art Gallery – in celebration Eastbourne has come ALIVE with art, music, and performance events … these are spread across the town waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

Lamassu makes a huge statement – as well as a glorious gateway for all the Turner Prize entries hosted by the Towner Art Gallery – available until middle of April 2024.

The winner of the Prize is due to be announced next week on 5^th December … I guess I will revert – but I have to get my head round the entries – contemporary art is different: a learning curve!

Towner Eastbourne link - including photo by Rob Harris - showing the cuneiform inscription ... 

Green Art Gallery - showing details re the Trafalgar Square plinth ... 

Chicago Museum exhibits - "Lost Treasures of Iraq" ... lovely photos here ... 

Wikipedia - Lamassu ... 

Wikipedia - Nineveh ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Diaghilev – pared down …

 

Poor chap – his story here on my blog keeps getting shorter – too much going … while Diaghilev (1872 - 1929), the impresario, deserves serious treatment – bearing in mind the influence he had on Russian and ultimately Western culture …

His mother died in childbirth, but he was lucky and had a very rewarding relationship with his step-mother … he confided in her and wrote to her throughout her life … in the biography by Sjeng Scheijen we are privy to a great many snippets of these eye-opening communications.

His early life was surrounded by a large family and friends in Perm, near the Ural mountains … where they'd created a local cultural centre – and where he sang, composed and read voraciously. Also he was always surrounded by dictionaries and maps – constantly curious and wanting more knowledge.

Perm was near Yekaterinburg, where the family of Tsar Nicholas was executed in 1918.

Siberian route across Russia into China

The town was founded in 1723 by Peter the Great (1672 - 1725), and is named after his wife. The city has two important connections … it served as the mining capital of the Russian Empire (1721 - 1917), as well as a strategic connection between Europe and Asia.

In 1781, Catherine the Great (1729 - 1796), continued the important Siberian Route through Perm. (The route ran from Moscow, via Mongolia, into China, west of Beijing).

Diaghilev by Rostislav Doboujinsky
(1903 - 2000) - showing his shock
of white hair

So this mercurial man with his overflowing confidence, many mood swings, was ready for a life of distinction … taking creativity to new horizons at the start of the 20^th century … particularly his inherent ability to perceive the genius of others.

It was during his University years in St Petersburg that he was able to look around to find his true interests in life - particularly Russian and Western art, as well as his literary knowledge … he came to be respected as one of the most learned men in the group.

He promoted talented youngsters … one of these was the Ballets Russes' star dancer, Vaslav Nijinsky (1889 – 1950) … who became one of his lovers.

Nijinsky by Valentin Serov
(1865 - 1911)

Sadly Nijinsky was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a very young age and for nearly 30 years was in and out of psychiatric hospitals and asylums …

Diaghilev, who lived the high life, lived from pay-check to pay-check, but always ensuring the needs of his dancers and company were met. In his latter years his passion turned to collecting rare books - of which there were many significant ones.

He had developed diabetes … refusing to change his life-style … however one thing he feared was dying in water, and as far as possible avoided travelling by boat.

Isola San Michele, Venice

He loved Venice managing to reach there just before his death in 1929.  At the end he was broke, broke … but his debts were settled by friends … including Coco Chanel … however he had reached his beloved Venice.

As you can see my notes - ran to 
14 pages of scruffiness!

His tomb is on the nearby island of San Michele – the island has served as the principal cemetery of Venice since 1807.

Diaghilev continues to influence and be remembered both here in the west and in Russia – one hopes that will continue.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Remembrance … Nothing Changes …

 

We need Peace for all humans who live on this earth, and then hope that all those humans respect each other … while considering, appreciating and giving due regard to our world as our lives unfold …

The Peace Poppy

The 'Tower Hill Madonna' sculpture by Jacquie Binns – artist, embroiderer and sculptor - expresses opposites, inspiring the themes of peace and pain.

The Tower Hill Madonna

Jacquie used these for her reflective sculpture which the commemorative plaque at All Hallows-by-the-Tower, London explains.

Photo credit: Anabel of
The Glasgow Gallivanter

c/o Jacquie Binns' Church Textiles site … 'The Tower Hill Madonna' …

c/o Anabel as the Glasgow Gallivanter blogger – posted about the church on the Footsteps of Pepys …

With thoughts on this Remembrance Sunday

Peace Lily

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Brief Update … Diaghilev and Eastbourne's contemporary art …

 

Life's been a bit more obtuse than it need have been recently … so I'm way behind and have been happily procrastinating … not helped with the Middle East developments.

Diaghilev with his
beloved nanny 1905
by Leon Bakst

I've been reading about Sergei Diaghilev (1872 - 1929) (Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and more)– which I found far more fascinating than I thought I would – and again those rabbit holes appeared!

Life's always interesting … the Turner Prize Exhibition is up and running at our amazing local Towner Art Gallery …

This is a guide for young
people engaging with
galleries and contemporary
art (produced earlier in 2023)

… contemporary art – which was mostly unfathomable - ?!, so I need to go back and quietly spend time working out what's what … yet oddly the first exhibitions Diaghilev put on in St Petersburg in the late 1890s were intended to introduce contemporary artists to the local public, and later, to the Europeans.

One of the advertising banners around town

… while within the town Eastbourne ALIVE – is a separate ambitious project working with young cultural partners in and around the resort's landscape orbit … 

This is an excellent society
in our town - very professional

... I need to explore. Obviously linked to the Turner Prize … we're awash with art around here … fortunately not washed away in the storms.

Beachy Head, Sussex - tree 'well mangled'
by many storms over the years

This was meant to be very short … but I obviously don't do that … rabbit holes abound …

Boiler didn't much like the stormy gales -
this is Newlyn pier in Cornwall - where
my mother lived for 40+ years

I will catch up … boiler withstanding – that's been bad again – it'd be nice if things would behave!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Lenny Lee's turned 24 …

 

I expect and hope many of you remember Lenny from days of yore … he and I keep in touch …

Lenny Lee's world

He was always brilliant for my mother – she loved all the prezzies he sent her … and enjoyed the repartee he gave us …

It was back in 2011 that many of us wrote a cheering post for him … as he was at the start of a loooong journey – still continuing today …

Hardwick, Muddy Hippo, Zdena

… and from me came, in 2012, another earworm (after my Phantom earworm) … Mud, Mud Glorious Mud by Flanders and Swann ...

… he then sent us Muddy Hippo, while later in 2012, after my mother had died, Hardwick joined in for Lenny's 13^th birthday …

Lots of choice

… then Zdena joined the party at the end of my Aspects of British Cookery …

Cheese and Wine

So please from all around the world wish Lenny an easier time ahead … apparently a friend came round for (what I call supper!) dinner, with some Chinese dishes, together with some vino … I'm sure they enjoyed themselves ... 

Damyanti's book arrived a day early ... 
Diaghilev's post still being worked on ... there's
a Finnish connection

My next post will not contain an earworm … and will be on Diaghilev … all things being considered …

Z is for Zdena … the follower of Bacchus, the wine god …

Lenny Lee – Fest … Spreading sunshine for him …

Hardwick's Nose … he smelt a Birthday Party – Hardwick doesn't miss much! …

Zdena - very cheerful, Hardwick ... really
wanting to sleep - he's a very old boy now -
getting on for 100 I think ... while
Muddy Hippo just makes a mess!!

I just remembered - Lenny won a WEP prompt back in June 2022 - which explains his situation a little ... a boy who grieves for the sudden loss of his mother ... a poignant letter ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Write … Edit … Publish … Bloghop /IWSG hop: Phantom of the Opera …

 

The poor Phantom has been forced to reappear in the 21^st century with the most irreverent production he could possibly be in …

Lon Chaney as Erik, The Phantom,
in Universal's 1925 silent film version

… an advert for Bile Beans … now where did she get that idea from? Bile Beans …

Bile Beans … c/o Edward Lear … no, no, poor dear would not go near Edward Lear with her Bile Beans ad, even if he did craft this first limerick,    but not the second ...

There was an Old Man of the Nile,

Who sharpened his nails with a file,

Till he cut out his thumbs,

And said calmly, 'This comes

Of sharpening one's nails with a file!

Beans, Beans, the Musical Fruit

Beans, beans, the musical fruit

The more you eat, the more you toot

The more you toot, the better you feel.

So let's have beans with every meal!

Now the poor Phantom was totally bemused, also worried about this query …

 

Phantom – can I come in?

I don't know, can you?

Cursing quietly, the vampire backed away, foiled yet again by the English teacher's pedantry.

Another … 'scathingly brilliant idea' …

Bile on the Nile … File on Dial …

Beans Need … Jean Cleats …

She now Weeps, the Phantom Sleeps

Is she a vampile, or a phantomile ...?

Frontispiece to the sheet music
for the 'Bile Bean March'

Phantom you'd better enrol this strange dribbling living being into an English class … so she can put those grey cells to work on something sensible, rather than how to toot musical fruit …

She's a little older now - but
back then the Phantom was
interested .....

Surely Phantom in all your one hundred and twenty four years of being published you'd have something sensible to help this poor lady write about you … please come out of the woodwork, or slither down the ghostly advert for Bile Beans … Vile Beans …

Found in York, England

Tag line: Who But Me Could Come Up with This Post for the poor Phantom (of the Opera) prompt – I feel for him … I wonder if they had Bile Beans on the Nile …

Bile Beans information! - a crossing continents fraudulent concoction ... 

Edward Lear Nile limerick ... Nonsense.org - there are some other limericks following on - which all make interesting reads ... no Phantoms though ... 

Apologies to all who read this … especially to Gordon Leroux, who penned the novel Le Fantome de l'Opera in 1909

Gordon Leroux c/ Wiki

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories