Asparagus …

 

Asparagus … ex sparrow-grass til someone decided to posh its name up (earlier than the 1700s) … we're at that time of year again … a deliciousness of A for Asparagus …

German botanical
illustration

I revert to childhood seasons … without climate change apparent (I'm sure it was – but after the War we were just glad to have seasonal vegetables again), or technological developments: how many of those have there been?

Waiting to be cut ...

Shakespeare doesn't mention asparagus … so for him it wasn't the food of love – for me and many of us (as M&S had no bunches left yesterday!) … the desire to enjoy while we can – the timing is short … only 6 – 8 weeks … til Mid-Summer's Day or thereabouts.

I was looking for an asparagus poem and came across one by Marriott Edgar – one verse of which is:

It's 'sparagus stuff what the Toffs eat "

His friend said "It's a rum-looking plant,

Can I have the green ends for my rabbits?"

said Pa "Aye, cut off what you want.

Then found a couple of co-incidences … the literary one … Marriott Edgar is the half-brother of Edgar Wallace: strange, but true …

Asparagus wrapped with bacon ...

... while I always remember the blogger Jo of Jo on Food, Life and Slice of Chocolate … she sadly died in 2020 …

... she had blogged the full version of Edgar's poem in June 2012 … those were the early days – Alex and I were the only commenters – she'd mentioned I'd been to see a gold exhibition in London ...

So her blog has the whole Asparagus Poem … many of us will remember her … and I to this day will enjoy eating the spears! Jo joined the A – Z in 2012 … with some recipes …

All I can say to all the present A – Zers … well done and congratulations on finishing: it was a great idea back in 2011, when I first joined – the very first one was 2010 …

Here's Jo's link for the Edgar Marriott poem and to her blog …

I will be returning – j'espère!!

Congratulations A – Zers and happy Spring, with Summer head … let's hope for peace, without discord.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Fritillaries …

 

Frittering away … well enjoying some time-space … with a nodding head as the Winter and early Spring disappear before an easier Summer, one (I do) hope/s, at least on the nature side, arrives …

Snake's-head Fritillary

Diddle away dissipate fribble away … words, words, words … aren't we lucky to have so many expressions to illustrate our ideas …

I'm on slow-go time … lots to do, and no doubt will get there … so in the meantime … some wonderful plants from a by-gone era …

Nodding Meleagris
in the meadow

Fritillaries first recognised in Europe in the late 1500s … characterised by nodding flower heads … probably brought over from the Middle East ...

Cultivated (Dutch) Fritillaries

... in Oxford there's a wild meadow, which hasn't been cultivated for centuries, as it's annually flooded …

... once the fritillaries in Iffley Meadows have finished their flowering, the deer herd is moved in for the summer and autumn …

Meadow Fritillary - underside of the female

Shakespeare in his narrative poem Venus and Adonis, Adonis metamorphoses into a purple flower checked with white:

By this, the boy that by her side lay kill’d

Was melted like a vapour from her sight,

And in his blood that on the ground lay spill’d,

A purple flower sprung up, chequer’d with white.

Helmeted Guinea Fowl in Namibia

The Latin specific epithet 'meleagris' means “spotted like a guineafowl” …

Then I came across the 'Fritillary' an academic term's magazine of the Oxford Women's Colleges … published between 1894 and 1931 …

Fritillary
Summer term
1927 magazine

... which I'd noted in the book Joanne Faries had reviewed last December … titled “The Eights” …

... and came about from Joanne Faries at her Word Splash blog in December last year when she reviewed “The Eights” - about four women in 1920 starting at Oxford University … which took me back to my school days in Oxford, and brought some history to life …

... and then oh yes! - in the book Joanne recommended … 'The Hilary Term' … which has just finished. I'm more than delighted today … I'm cheered at the coincidences!!

So here's to hope – I do fall on the side of optimism … and relate to my name derived from the Latin 'hilarius' – cheerful merry...

Section or Semester heading

Joanne Faries - Word Splash blog 'The Eights'

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Balance of Nature ... Jacqui's book launch ...

 

Apologies one and all … life has caught up with me – Jacqui booked her 'date' with me back in December tying into the launch phase …

Jacqui's book ... without
the extra title would help -
but ... so be it

... times were free then – but, as happens, life and people caught on … and here we are in the New Year – with too much happening in February …

Hospital today, but that's another story, a new appointment booked for next Friday … so life can go on and I can finish this week, then my talk, I'm giving, on Mrs Beeton, to our History group, on Monday – which I wasn't expecting to be asked to do in February – ah well!!

Daylight is getting longer … bliss … and I'm sure my mojo will properly return soon – but for now, my Balance of Nature is there … but pretty static …

Jacqui's 'handle' for us all to use ... 

Minor adjustments to the 'see-saw' and this week will have passed off happily … I'll be back properly soon …

For now – Jacqui deserves all the kudos we give her … I've loved the earlier books in the series, and this one I need to order and read – then I'll do a post anon … my choice was 'Book Review' … firstly: Do what you committed to do!! Failed in this case …

Crocuses (or Crocii) 
Spring is in the air

Congratulations to Jacqui for this launch – amazing achievement … and she's given us much to think about along our ancestral eras …

https://worddreams.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/im-over-at-hilarys-today/ 

Thanks for thoughts re hospital - just an outpatient visit, similarly next week - no emergency ... thank goodness.  I'll be pleased when this is all resolved!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Tuesday's Child ...

 

Odd - today is a Tuesday … and thus all those many years ago … a child who is full of grace was born …!?!?!?

Monday's Child lyrics - as published 
in St Nicholas Magazine (1873)

Monday's child is fair of face,

Tuesday's child is full of grace.

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday's child has far to go.

Friday's child is loving and giving,

Saturday's child works hard for a living.

But the child that is born on Sabbath day,

Is bonny and blithe, good and gay.

**

'Twas on a Tuesday morning

The gas man came again …

… the gas men never stop …

they'll be around for a while - 

... on, on and on ...!!

Daffodils and Narcissi

I just hope 2026 gets my health sorted out … or at least eases – everyday it's a nuisance.

I note that Damyanti (Damyantiwrites.com) is still a week ahead of me … I just hope she won't give up her blog …

I give up … I can't count – but think I'm going into my 18^th year of blogging – a bit of a shock to me … but my blogging mojo has returned …

Champers all round - around here!!

Busting out the champers ... 

Thanks everyone for being here – I really enjoy the interaction with you all … here's to more ...

Damyanti's blog – latest post …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Remembering Cee of Cee's Fun Foto Challenge ...

 

Dan Antion, along with Marsha Ingrao, are posting in her memory … I didn't know her – but I'm happy to support Dan and many blogging friends.

Appropriate links at Dan's site … here 'Remembering Cee'. 

Victoria Falls Bridge under construction in 1905 – as part of the Cape to Cairo railway – an unfinished project in the late 1800s, early 1900s …

Construction across the Zambezi in 1905

... so many won't get to finish their project of life … remember we have whatever time we have left – let us not waste our days … live and enjoy …

With thoughts to Cee's family and friends on this her birthday day … as too Dan and Marsha, who have their birthdays today ... with wishes ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Humbleness from a Daughter of our Time …

 

Sue of Elephant's Child recently sadly departed … if anyone would like to see and hear the simple Service, particularly the words for her, I give the link below.

Dinah and her husband from NZ had been over to Australia a few years ago and were able to meet up with Sue and Graham in Canberra – hence their close connection.

Dinah has recently moved but was able to keep some of us in touch with the news re Sue … I seemed to be on that short list: which makes me feel very honoured.

I hope to get back to regular blogging shortly … so this is an interim post for us all to remember Sue – her posts were always full of light and positivity …

A Canadian rainbow

... this week we've had a few rainbows … when I immediately think of Sue as I look and admire nature in the sky …

So below is the link to her Service – which will be up and available for six+ months - while I've also linked to two January posts … her last birthday posts, but it features some of her favourites …

Himself's lap with cats settled in …

'Roos … a roo fix happened …

Murals … in which most featured birds can be found in her city …

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

her birthday weekend post with real birds: Eastern Rosellas and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos … she was a Capricorn, as I am …

... and lots of yellow … the sun lets us live, while for Sue she loved the cold … when she featured her frozen bubbles, to which I've also linked ... with her thoughts ... 

A Crimson Rosella

... she offers us lots … including 'zombie brains' – courtesy of a bubble or two: appropriate as a thought at this time of year … and also as it's winter – her inner child felt happy and healthy … a few years ago.

Bless you Sue – it's been a pleasure knowing you, and I will remember your Elephant's Child blog … where you encouraged us with humility to stay young, to stay curious, not moan ... but help the next generation towards peace for all.

Narcissi - starting to bloom
in Canberra's Spring

Norwood Park, Canberra - for Sue's service of remembrance ...  

Her birthday weekend 2025 January post ... 

The next week's Sunday Selections post, before she took time off for her health ... 

One of her bubbles' posts in July 2018 ... 

Finally ... Sue's posts are entertaining to read, while she also has lots of books to recommend ... so it'll be worthwhile popping over occasionally, as we remember ... enjoy them!!

Thank you too particularly to Graham, Sue's partner, and to Dinah and her husband their friends in New Zealand ... for keeping us in touch ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

For Sue - a beacon of warmth to all of us ...

 

She walked this earth, a light in hand...

Encouraging us to think of others …

She slipped away quietly, sadly, swiftly …

Sue - with her curiosity ...

Nothing was same old, same old for Sue …

She lived life to the full, even unto the end …

I know I will remember her for many a-year …

Sue's Canberra balloon

A beloved human with many an interest …

... the addiction that blogging becomes …

... begetting many blogger friendships …

Glories for the glorious
shining one ... 

Books, Birds, Bloggers, Food, Nature, Stories …

Art, Words, Balloons, 'Roos, Health …

... overcoming adversity when it arose … until the shadows came ...

Home for nature's creepy crawlies ... 

... always with truth to the fore, or tongue in cheek when a laugh was due, whichever was the most appropriate for the time … 'Himself' always being thought of …

With reflections and memories for her family - I shall miss her interactions ... 

Sue's blog:  Elephant's Child:  her last post ... - one that she did not know ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Grumpy Hilary … or Fed Up lady …

 

Fed up most likely … I have hot water … now my landlady is flying in from Kenya to see what's happened … so I guess everything will be tipped upside down again … I am fractious … stressed out with the irritations and inroads into my life …

Wonderful scented roses

Friends and family have been saying for goodness sake get your health sorted out – but frankly with the flat scenario I haven't felt able to do both …

I buried my head in all five Kingsbridge series books – covering the dark ages of England 997 AD to ten years after Battle of Waterloo in 1824 … which gave an insight into life through the ages.

Four of his novels, the fifth was
recently published

I think it probably helped otherwise I'd have been fretting more than usual … and I have various references to use when our History subject changes in 2026 … we're doing the Medieval period now – but I'm not sure what our 'leader' and her humble subjects (us – the members) will select/choose next.

I was happy that AJ Sterkel (Read all the Things! Blog) chose Follett's masterpiece 'The Pillars of the Earth' … as one of her books to pull you out of a reading slump.

AJ Sterkel's header for her blog

Life as it continues has different perspectives on who one is in life … being single, as are my brothers, so no reason to be overly enthusiastic about family life ahead – yes, and yea, for other friends and family … but for me – I just do my thing.

Wiki's logo

I'm happy – I've had an interesting life … and am not on my way out yet (I don't think!) … so I'll stick where I am and doing what I enjoy and can do … getting out and about as much as possible – and reading rather more than I've done over my lifetime, so far.

Carstian Luyckx - art work of 1650

Personal historiography, as well as academic knowledge in the public domain via whatever tools were available to that era of life, which now is much broader than it used to be … and as I'm older (perhaps wiser too) more of life's history starts to fall into place …

So this little brain is full of jigsaw pieces of life through the ages … and grateful that essentially I'm just getting older – not mentally deteriorating, thankfully.

AJ Sterkel's image ...
'How to Reignite Your
Love of Reading'

I hope I can be left in peace to get on with my life … but as the year progresses we'll see … for now – my head is above water, screaming silently, and just wishing this period was away …

AJ Sterkel's link to her latest post ... I also suggest you read the previous one on the saddest books ... I really enjoy her lists ... 

Cheers to you all and thanks for your comments and thoughts …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Tomato … toe-mae-toe/I say to-mat-toe …

 

My mind came to this when I saw a quote, which seems quite appropriate today …

Heritage tomatoes from the
Isle of Wight - as supplied to M&S

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

The bench - now in situ

Attributed to Miles Kington (1941 - 2008), journalist, humorist, and musician, on a memorial bench near where he lived in Conkwell, overlooking the Kennet and Avon Canal … who hated the spot as there was nowhere to sit and enjoy the view – now there's a bench!

Conkwell hamlet

Conkwell – I had to find out about the name of this village … it was mentioned in an Anglo-Saxon charter in 957 as “Cunuca leage”.

"Leage” refers to a woodland clearing, while “Canuca” is a Celtic word denoting “hill” … suggesting a survival of pre-Saxon British people in the area – c/o the Bradford and Avon Museum.

The Canal

Another quote pertinent to today … at least I thought so … came via Sean (we're both 13^th day of the month babies … he October, me January – what that means I've no idea!) - this post I see is the 13th too - but in the month of June ... just enjoy his library - all 10% of it!! ...

Christoph Martin Wieland
(1733 - 1813)

He sent me off to Christoph Martin Wieland from the German Enlightenment era … his thought in English … 

“Only a true cosmopolitan can be a good citizen”.

I and my thoughts have been all over the place … I'm sort of gathering them all up – eclectic mix … from all parts of the awareness … it's quite tiring! … with lots to catch up on.

Eastbourne seafront and
promenade

So finally summer's here – little wind around, perhaps living on the south coast in times like this brings some relief … so glad the summer breeze flitters a bit.

Oh yes – and we have those yellow-green balls down here next week – so there's no parking – not to say I worry, but we could do with more rain – though this week … there was a water leak – and we had no water for 9 hours … I'd heard the tell-tale ping of a text … and seeing the mess – made plans. Before my bath – I'd run it, as I was going out early to History, I saved some 'fresh water' … and left the bath in for the dirty water.

Tennis in Eastbourne - 
ground preparations

After history I came back for some lunch, then realising that the leak wasn't fixed … I went off to town – coming back at teatime as I heard the chap say 'he's just turning the tap back on' … so all is now well again. 

Well not quite – there's still an 'ole in the road … but we have water: thank goodness … and I can't think of other places too much – I just remember how lucky I am.

Strawberry Moon - over Belle Tout
lighthouse and Beachy Head

Oh yes – there was a magnificent strawberry moon – that I didn't actually get to see … but so worthwhile via this pic …

Life toddles on … I'm pushing through … and I'll be around to see you all soon now, I hope …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories