Theme Reveal … Aspects of British County Rare Breeds …
At long last I can release my posts drafted for
last year's A - Z into the ether ... beyond the boundaries of my scheduled
posts ... relief - they're all written (almost!) ... no change to my approach.
 |
| None of these will you find in this year's A-Z of British County Rare Breeds! (A poster I had block boarded) |
I do somehow need to master the new mechanics of
the A - Z … I can’t quite see how I find new people if there’s no list – but I’m
sure there’s a way.
Also how do we find new ‘contenders’ in the next
ten days … again I’m sure there’s a way …..
I’m only blogging – it is a blogging
challenge: social media and I don’t mix –
until (of course) I decide it and I must, then mix and match it will be!
 |
| Nor will you find any of these in the A-Z ... though some genes might be there! |
So on to rare breeds and the posts will definitely match the theme!
I found this rhyme – where … who knows – a year is
a long time … actually not so long considering my tender age, but for me the
threads of memory search have gone!
 |
| The Giant Canada Goose |
This English protest rhyme was probably voicing concerns about
the Enclosures, the loss of common land to common folk and the gains made by
the landed gentry.
However it still has resonance today …
The Goose and the Common
(Authors unknown … a 17thC protest against English enclosures)
They hang the man and flog the woman,
who steals the goose from off the common,
yet let the greater villain loose,
that steals the common from the goose.
For all the verses see here … The Goose from Union Songs The research archive was set up by Mark Gregory – an Australian
… not sure if they are rare breeds yet?!?!
 |
| By the time we get to April 30th - we might need some of this ... ?! |
If you wish to see a horse’s backside, or a very wide cow …
the please visit last year’s theme reveal …
Enjoy the Challenge and the themes - there seem to be some interesting ones - creative bunch we find we are ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
77 comments:
Love that protest song. Definitely relevant today.
I am looking forward to your take on the challenge. Of course. Education and delight.
I always look forward to your A to Z posts, Hilary. I participated that one year and enjoyed it, but it's a lot of planning. I'm glad you are doing it again this year.
Fun theme and we'll all learn so much.
So pleased Hilary you're taking part! Like you I'm not sure how to find new contenders - and I am still to fashion my posts! Today is a public holiday - Human Rights Day - perhaps this is a rare breed in our and other parts of the world ... :(
That is such a good protest song! I'm not doing A to Z but will try to keep up with my friends who are.
Interesting theme and so educational! Looking forward to your posts. Cheers!
Debbie @ The Doglady's Den
I look forward to reading your A to Z posts.
I certainly understand your comment on social media. I resisted for a time. Many of my old blogging friends are now Facebook friends -- and that's the only place I see some of them. There's a few that still blog, but on a very reduced frequency for the most part. (I've backed off blogging because I'm back working, not because of social media. I will be posting more, as I have time.)
It is a great verse HIlary. Will look forward to reading your posts, well I always do enjoy your A to Z.
Not doing it this year for several reasons. Good luck with the new system, hope it works for you.
Reading a fascinating story about life in 9th Century England. The Circle of Ceridwen. If you haven't read it, you should. First book is free.
That's a great theme!
I love when you burrow deep into the English countryside and beyond. You are a rare bird- I mean that as a compliment! Looking forward to your lovely posts
@ EC – yes … the protest song resonated and is as you say still so relevant today. Thanks I hope the posts match up …
@ Lynn – thanks I have met some wonderful people through the A-Z – it is a lot of planning … but worth it, I think …
@ Alex – thanks so much – hope it passes muster …
@ Susan – I’ve still to work out the logistics … but I’ll get there. Good luck with your posts though I love the idea of your theme – using your book as a reference tool.
Oh I’d forgotten the 21st March in South Africa – we probably should have a Human Rights Day here … I’d like to be somewhere – where we don’t need to remind ourselves about Human Rights – where we just live peacefully with all peoples … I can’t believe where the world, even this democratic western world, is taking us. We need leaders …
@ Anabel – isn’t the song a great one – and so true to the British way of life, as it was … that’s great: it will be lovely seeing you commenting as and when …
@ Debbie – that’s good … I’ll be around and will catch your posts as we travel through April …
@ Arlene – many thanks … I hope I satisfy you in my approach …
@ Mike – oh I know social media – I guess not having family, nor a husband, I tend not to worry about connecting via social media – I go the old route – emails, letters and phone calls. Then of course blogging … I’ve been around so long – I think I’ll have withdrawal symptoms if I didn’t blog! Good – look forward to seeing you back when you have time …
@ Jo – it’s an interesting verse and very relative to that era. Thanks – I appreciate your kind thoughts re my A-Z postings … and oh yes I have to find out how the system works out …
There are a great many books in that Saga – the Circle of Ceridwen … I’m not the world’s best reader … and have just bought a couple more – must read … must try and read!! I research … but I’ve noted your thoughts and recommendation …
@ Karen – I hope everyone will enjoy the posts – and if you’re on the sidelines that’s great …
@ Holly – thank you … it was fun to research …
@ Joanne – I really appreciate the compliment … I enjoy writing up my posts and giving them that little extra – so do hope you’ll enjoy the posts …
Cheers to you all – thanks for your support and encouragement – I’ll enjoying seeing you around, or meeting up with you as you join in the fun - Hilary
I will look forward to read your shares
Protest song is totally spot on. It'll be good to read your A-Z - informative and fun as usual, look forward.
Hilary, it took me a while to get a hang of the changes. I even had to copy and paste the banners because I couldn't make them work on my newly formatted blog! Very frustrating hours spent trying to figure things out. I'm glad you popped by my blog and left a comment. I am really enjoying visiting your blog during April and getting to know more about your fascinating subject!
Hmm. The practice of enclosures is surely relevant here in America today as Corporations and Wall Street enclose working people by rapacious greed.
Such a lovely theme will only be more so in the (your) telling ;-) Count me in for Aspects of British County Rare Breeds!
Finding new contenders: go to the A to Z Challenge blog, check out the comments, follow their links, and voila! It'll be a bit awkward, but not undoable.
Your theme is right up my street, or down my lane as it's a country based topic! I too am a little unsure as to how we'll find blogs that interest us. I can only hope that when folk post their links, they mention clearly the genre in which they are writing. Otherwise, we'll be trawling through loads of sites to find the odd one that's of interest to us. I'd love the new system to work, but I'm not holding out much hope.
A-Z Challenge - My theme for 2017!
I've known some people so lovely that I thought of them as rare breeds. Willy Dunne Wooters is one of them. Best wishes with your posts.
Love,
Janie
Sounds like your posts will be as educational as ever. Looking forward to it.
Sounds like another information-packed theme to look forward to, and I love that protest rhyme! So true!
Fascinating theme. I love animals so it will be hard to stay away from this theme. Good luck for the Challenge.
Of course I'll be visiting your blog to read your posts, Hilary. I'm not participating this year, but I will check out those posts and bloggers if they show on my reading list. I won't be checking social media, as I don't mix with it either. If you blog I will come. You always teach us something new.
Good luck and hope you enjoy this version of the A to Z.
That protest rhyme has even greater resonance today than it had when it was written. I look forward to your posts all through the challenge, Hilary.
Cynthia at A Few Drops Of Ink
@ Steve – many thanks for the future visits …
@ Nila – that protest song was a good find … and glad you’ll be visiting …
@ Stephanie – yes I’ll have to check the changes … banners are another thing altogether – I do simple, and have kept the blog simple … thankfully I shall be commenting among other blogs and that helps … but I must endeavour to master the new system.
@ Troutbirder – yes ‘enclosures’ is a practice we could discuss in various ways – isn’t it …
@ Dierdre – I hope my theme and posts match up – I think I need to carefully review what I wrote last year …
@ Liz –thanks … I’d have probably got to that point eventually … as you say it’s not impossible …
@ Keith – thanks for the interest in my countryside roam around with some rare breeding beasts … I hadn’t thought about genre being added in to the title of the blog – I hope the theme will identify what is what …. I can’t say I’m thrilled with the concept of the A-Z so far … but I am positive, so like you will go forward with hope …
Janie – yes … people can definitely be rare breeds too … but those I’ve left in the archives …
@ Nick – I sincerely hope the posts pass muster – though I am slightly anxious about them!!
@ Ian – as I mentioned to Nick and elsewhere I hope I do my theme justice; but the protest song is a fascinating rhyme from another era …
@ Kalpanaa – good to see you … and I’m so pleased to read my theme draws you in …
@ DG – that’s excellent – I know you’ve time constraints … so appreciate any visits you can make …
@ Cynthia – good to see you here … I’m glad I found the protest song – it seems to have hit the mark for many of you …
Thanks so much everyone – good to see you all – and I’ll be seeing you around the Challenge … cheers Hilary
PS – I liked the list as I could peruse blogs before the A-Z started and find ones I liked that way …
I'm looking forward to your posts.
I'm not taking part this year, so I've only just learned there's no list - I'm sure over the month, many people will have ideas and tactics that you can learn from. Personally, I would look at the other commenters on posts I'm visiting and follow the links to people I don't know :-)
Oh you are going to be so much fun to follow. This sounds great, Hilary!
Looking forward to this series. I always learn so much from you and of course animals are very special to me. Keep well Diane
I've never been brave enough to tackle the a-z challenge but I love reading other bloggers' post. I'm looking forward to yours.
hi grandblogmom!
for sure i'll be reading your a-z posts. i'm an animal lover and i know i'll learn a lot of new things. one good thing is at least after i read them i won't go away hungry. ha ha! can't wait for a-z to get started.
...love you!
Rare breeds! Interesting! I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with.
John Holton
A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound Of One Hand Typing
Oh what an informative and great idea for a theme!
Great theme! I enjoy cows' backsides, too. :) Have fun with the challenge.
Sounds like a fantastic theme! Have fun. :)
Fun theme! I didn't post a reveal today - I'm on enough post-surgery pain killers that I wonder if even my small comments will be coherent. However, I'm posting about lost heroes for A to Z.
i can't wait for your posts!
sounds like a fascinating topic - and i always love your details =)
Can't wait for your posts Hilary. I'm so glad you're getting to participate this year - and having your posts ready is fabulous.
A great example to follow, I too are looking forward to your posts! I think I will step out and dip my toe in again this year, so I better start organizing. Hope you are well.
@ Annalisa – thank you … sorry you’re not taking part – but you’ve got lots going on. I’d thought about searching via commenters – just seems like lots of work … but if that’s the way – then I’ll do what I can …
@ Jacqui – many thanks … I hope the posts match up!
@ Diane – well ... it’ll be a tour around … I just hope I’ve done the rare breeds justice …
@ LD – thankfully the first year I followed the format I’ve carried on using each year and that’s made it easier … but it is a Challenge …
@ Lenny – how lovely to see you and thanks for looking forward to reading all my posts … and yes, you are certainly an animal lover. You’re right I haven’t dared put in food! That’s great … see you soon …
@ John – many thanks … I hope they match up …
@ DC – it is certainly different and turned out to be slightly more challenging than I first thought …
@ Mary – that’s good – probably my best post is the C for Cow one … but we’ll see how it goes and I’ll have fun …
@ Christine – it’s different isn’t it … lots of pictures …
@ Tyrean – thank you … I hope you are recovering … post surgery isn’t fun – take care … your comment is coherent – not lost in translation, while lost heroes sounds a great idea! …
@ Tara – thank you … and so glad to read you enjoy those little extras …
@ Deborah – appreciate this … yes having the posts as a hangover from last year certainly helps …
@ Amanda – that’ll be fun to have you join us … you’re full of creative ideas …
Take care everyone and enjoy these prepping times for the A-Z … not long now – cheers and thanks for your support - Hilary
This is an amazing theme and I'm looking forward to reading all the posts!
What a great theme! I can't wait to see what you'll share with us. You have some of the most educating posts but what I love about them is you make it fun to learn...something different than when I was in school. ;)
Change can be good, even if it is initially daunting. I enjoyed the old way, and will undoubtedly enjoy the new way too. Easy for the reader to say, though I highly suspect you will master the changes in no time at all.
Have fun, and I'll be back to read what you're writing. :)
You'll do fine in April. Just visiting back to those who visit you should keep you pretty busy.
As always you appear to have a quite educational and informative series scheduled for April.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out Theme Reveal: It's About Time
Love the protest song. Very powerful.
Greetings from London.
How wise of you to just be a blogger and nothing else! I still love blogging best of all and occasionally find the other social media platforms take up far too much time. I'll try and keep up with your AtoZ, but can't always look every day. I always find your posts so interesting!
@ Nas – many thanks … I hope I can match up …
@ Elsie – it was more difficult than I thought … but it is certainly interesting! Thanks so much …
@ Rosey - yes change can be good … and I embrace change … but this time I’d better get on with it! I’ll have fun and thanks for letting me know you’ll be over …
@ Lee – thanks … I’ll manage and I know I’ll be busy and I’ll enjoy the challenge. I prefer to give my posts some different content … teaches me too.
@ ACIL – thanks re the protest song … amazing to think it was written so long ago, yet still so appropriate today …
@ Val – I can’t handle the rest … but sometime I’ll have to give in and get going with Social Media – but I just don’t enjoy doing things for the sake of doing them …
Appreciate your comment and will enjoy having you visit … your canal stories are fun …
Cheers to you all and here’s to settling in to the changes and meeting new friends – all the best - Hilary
You know I love the English countryside very much and I have also seen a lot of documentaries how life was when the land belonged only to noble families and how the poor had to live. The workhouses etc. As much as I wished I could participate, I feel it is too complicated for me. But certainly interesting to read !
What a fascinating topic! Look forward to reading your posts throughout the month. Thank you for popping by my blog. I've been a bit absent due to an ongoing illness but hopefully, I'll be a bit better at visiting. Take good care.
The Goose and the Common is wonderful. If I'd heard it before I'd forgotten it--so I'm very glad to see it here. So much wisdom and worthy of pondering even now...
Excellent theme. We had a few farely rare breeds on the family farm, so maybe you'll feature some I have personal experience of?
Wonderful idea for a theme. I'll definitely be back! I share your misgivings about the now gone list. Somehow it will all work out.
@ Gattina - we certainly have a lot of history, so I hope my posts match your enthusiasm ... there are lots of photos ...
@ Nicola - thank you... it'll be good to see you - though I'm sorry you've been ill and hope that life is improving now ...
@ Bill - nice to meet you - oh how wonderful you knew about the Rhyme "The Goose and the Common" ... it was an appropriate rhyme to come across: I guess I read it somewhere ... and as you say - there is much wisdom in the poem.
@ Patsy - it's proved rather more tricky than I thought ... but I hope you recognise a few rare breeds that you had on your farm - and also you can enlighten me! I might feature one or two of yours - who knows!
@ Sharon - thanks and it'll be good to see you ... somehow we have to work around this non-list Challenge ...
Cheers to you all - enjoy the weekend ... we seem to have started Spring - bright sunny weather, granted a cold east wind, but wonderful fresh air! And we have longer evenings tomorrow ... take care - Hilary
Glad you get to use your posts and that you are so prepared! I always learn so much when I visit your blog. I hope the A-Z goes well and that you find the other people participating with ease. ;)
Happy weekend!
~Jess
What an interesting theme and you always add such a unique spin to every topic you write. I'm looking forward to reading about rare breeds from such a rare breed herself. That was intended as a comment for such a lovely person and writer. I've been concerned as well about how we will find new new bloggers, if there is not a master list to select from. I have a feeling that with Twitter, FB, BloggerChat, Lee's list and the A to Z official comment section, the comments on our own blogs, plus the people we discover from the comments they leave on the blogs we visit we will probably be pretty busy. We''ll probably begin complaining that we don't have enough time to get to them all. Who knows? Plus we have the blogs from past years as a place to begin. It's a good start. I know it will help. I'm just worried about missing many of those who are participating for the very first time. I wish someone would come up with an idea for an #AtoZ First Time Particpants List that we could click and view their blogs or at least scan to see what their theme is. I'm really glad you're in this year. You weren't kidding last year when you said you had a jump on your post for 2017.
I haven't decided yet if I'm going to stick with my crime fiction theme . I'm consIdering doing personal essay memoirs as a sort of legacy type girft for my kids becuase their dad is terminal . I want them to have something to be able to look back and read one day. What do you think?
See you in April
Melissa @
Sugar Crime Scene - A to Z Challenge
Your theme sounds fascinating and I'm looking forward to reading all the posts!
Hi Jess - couldn't waste last years' posts. I'm sure I'll meet a few new people - they keep popping up - it's a wonderful world!
@ Melissa - thanks ... no worries re calling me a 'rare breed' - I'm happy with that.
I'll do what I can to find my way round ... and I'm sure I'll find a few new friends around the blogosphere. Yes I know - lucky I am sitting here with my posts ready ... but I'm wondering what they're about! Oh well lots of photos.
Re your question - I've replied by email ... and I'd suggest some A-Z snippets on Sugar's crime scenes ... Yes - see you next weekend ...
@ Olivia - thanks for coming by - oh that's kind of you ... I hope the posts are interesting ...
Lovely to see the three of you - lovely weather, but I'm nursing a rotten cold, so am taking it easy ... still late night tonight!! Cheers for now - Hilary
This is not the first time I've encountered the goose on the common and the wisdom of that verse is awesome. Lovely post, Hilary.
I knew your theme was going to be totally amazing! I'll be here even though I'm not doing the challenge this year myself.
I love that rhyme. I went on an extended "walk" of your beautiful countryside and was enchanted by all the common footpaths I discovered. I've always wanted to return and do that walk about again.
Ha! I think that song/poem is just as relevant today as it was when written. Alas... it seems some things never change.
Can't imagine you not doing splendidly, Hillary. Every post you write is chalked full of fascinating information. Can't tell you how much I've learned from your blog. Immeasurable.
I can definitely get behind that protest song. It works on many levels in many countries.
No list for the A-Z this year? Hmmm, interesting. I only participated one year, but having access to a list made it possible for me to find so many new blogging pals... like you. I hope the new listless way works out well for everyone. I'll be taking the month off from the blogosphere.
Your theme sounds interesting. (not that I'm surprised) I hope you have a lot of fun with it. Cheers!
I shall be following you, of course, Hilary! And I think it is so awesome that you have all of your posts written. As long as I work the ol' 8 to 5, I don't ever see that happening for me. Cheers, Denise
@ Maria - that's great I'm bringing those protest song lines back into prominence for you and others to remember... wisdom - yes!
@ Lee - sorry about your shoulder; I hope my posts match up! Amazing another who knows that rhyme - it does ring so true. Yes our countryside right now is wonderful ... just starting to burst with colour, and greening up - it's a glorious time of year. I hope you get to visit again ...
@ Bish - I suspect the poem resonates as well now, as it did over 400 years ago ... and yes sadly things don't change much
@ Joylene - there's certainly a lot of information - I just hope the posts make sense to non UK bloggers ...
But thank you so much re your comment that I 'educate' you a little ...
@ Shannon - yes the protest song does work for other countries too ... even being 'saved' by an Australian ...
@ Susan - yes I know the list or lack of - is going to be a nuisance ... I'm not sure how it's going to work - I'll do my bit ...
Enjoy your time off - the kids might enjoy some of the images in my postings ...
@ Denise - thanks so much - well not being able to do it last year, meant the posts have been sitting with me for over a year ... but I'll enjoy popping over to see how you're doing ..
Cheers everyone - to those of you joining in the A-Z and those sitting it out ... we'll see how it goes - but I shall enjoy getting out there ... Hilary
Sounds interesting and educational. Good luck with everything. Yeah, no list this year. Stop by the Blogging A to Z website every day and post a link back to your blog. That's how people are finding each other this year.
Your theme sounds really interesting, I look forward to reading your posts.
I saw the rules had altered this year, and it will be good to see how it works...
Excited about your theme, Hilary! Good luck with A-Z. :)
@ Stephen - thanks I hope the posts will interest everyone. Yes somehow I must make a plan .. I will find a way through ...
@ Maria - many thanks and I hope you enjoy the posts ... and it will be interesting to see how it works ...
@ Elizabeth - I appreciate your comment!
Cheers to you all - thanks and see you around the A-Z - Hilary
Rare breeds. That's a neat theme. Have fun with A to Z!
I always forget about the A-Z challenge. I really need to find a way to try that out.
@ Chrys - thanks ... I hope people will enjoy the theme ... and yes fun with lots of blogging!
@ Robert - it's a fun way to create something in 26 parts ... and I've enjoyed exploring different themes under the banner of Aspects of British ...
Cheers to you both - Hilary
Can't wait to read your A-Z posts, Hilary! I have no doubt this is going to be a fascinating theme.
And that protest song is great - how sad that it's still so appropriate now.
Good luck!
Hi Julie - it is certainly going to be a different month ... I'll enjoy seeing your comments! Yes the protest song is fascinating, but as you say - sad it's still so appropriate ... cheers Hilary
Hi, Hilary. Good to see you doing the challenge again this year. I'm doing it on one blog this year. (Last year I did 2.) Sue's Trifles
Great theme. I love that block poster you showed - don't you think those images would make for wonderful postage stamps?
Phillip | B is for banana
@ Sue - good to see you doing the A-Z challenge again ... I'll be over ...
@ Phillip - thank you for coming by ... I know the poster is just amazing - I've had it for years ... well it's gone now - but I have the photo and in fact a friend has it in her African hut ... so it's in a good home!!
Cheers to you both ... see you at the A-Z ... Hilary
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