My Pretty Maid!

The Moon Comes Up All Bright And Still!

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World's Largest Grandest 1896 Amusement!

I received this beautiful birthday puzzle from a friend who discovered it at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village gift shop. This 1896 Barnum and Bailey poster portrays the sights and sounds of the circus as they might crowd into a child's dream.

The poem in yellow reads, "This smiling face is multiplied a million times a year whereas the children's mightiest friend these wonderous shows appear. With sunny gleams of fairyland, with scenes of merriest glee, with cute and cunning animals from either side the sea."

No matter how one feels about the circus of old, the colors of this picture are truly beautiful...vintage lovely and a joy to see!

The Field of Adventures!

That's me in front of my growing up home located in the isolated Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My mother always took photos of me between these two trees. I have a "two trees" picture for almost every year of growing up! In the background, across the street there is a field where I loved to go adventuring. I even wrote a poem about it a few years ago. It goes like this:

The Field

Adventuring, I cross the street to where my field awaits,
trimmed in yellow buttercups—no locks, no doors, no gates.
I make my way among brown nests, pink thistle, and grey rocks,
white-petaled dancing daisies, rust Indian tobacco stalks.

My hidden rock I hunt and find, familiarly fingering traces
of glacial pox and smooth cool stone, my haven, blessed of places.
Up scramble I upon this throne, look my vast country over,
survey the turf o'er which I reign, lands rich in purple clover.

Observe the Monarch butterflies, as, fluttering, they pass by,
sailing o'er my shimmering sea of wild wheat, quack, and rye.
Then, settling back, I dream of things like ice cream, pop, and stories
from books I'll read when I return from this grand world of glories.

White billowy clouds breeze overhead, scud 'cross the sapphire sky
my golden hours in the sun pass all to quickly by.
A meadow lark is nesting near—its sudden trilling song
reminds me I am trespassing and have been all along.

I know it's nearly time to leave, but I've saved the best for last—
the joy of rediscovering my precious berry patch.
Strawberries, tiny treasures. Rich and ripe and red.
My tin cup runneth over from the field with flowers wed.

(This post came from an idea received from my dear friend Doreen. Choose the fourth picture in the fourth folder where pictures are saved, post it, and tell a bit about it. What fun! Try it! You'll like it!)

When Summer Comes To Call!

When Summer Comes to Call

When summer comes to call on me

I spread a blanket set for tea,

Invite the birds, the squirrels, and pups

to share my English china cups.

They scamper in by one’s, by two’s.

They wear their finest coats and shoes.

They come from bushes and from trees

and look as fancy as you please.

Along the garden’s edge we’ll play

and linger there the whole long day.

We’ll watch for butterflies and bees,

enjoy a tender whispering breeze.

Each guest will sing their own sweet song

some chirping short, some whistling long.

A few will bark, others will chatter.

We’ll raise a free and joyous clatter.

We’ll pat the snowballs on the vine,

pretend it’s winter for a time.

Then nod at all the little faces—

pansies pouting in their places.

We’ll thread green ivy in our hair,

braid dandelions for jewels to wear.

We’ll pluck a daisy just to see

if I love them and they love me.

We’ll stay all day and into night

to see the fireflies shed their light.

We’ll count the stars up in the sky

and watch the moon pass slowly by.

And not until the shadows all—

the ones quite short and those quite tall—

have disappeared into the night

will any of my friends take flight.

For celebrations such as this

provide the very sweetest bliss.

Then, when it’s time to go, we’ll say

we’ve had the most enchanting day.

A day, with wonder, we’ll recall

when autumn’s leaves begin to fall.

A day we will remember long

when winter storms with winds so strong.

And even still when spring draws near,

we’ll think of summer’s time of year.

It’s certain that we’ll all agree:

When summer calls it’s time for tea.

I’ll bake sweet biscuits, some with seeds,

and some for those with special needs.

When flowers bloom on bush and tree,

then once again we’ll meet for tea.

Where Go The Boats?

How thrilling it was to find this 1961 copy (a remake of the original 1932 version) of A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson at a garage sale last week. Oh how I loved these poems when I was a child, so many of which we read in school and at home.

When all was quiet on a Saturday afternoon, my mother would make cocoa and read to us while we sipped and let our wishes wander down enchanting paths to other worlds alive with wonder!

I especially loved this poem "Where Go The Boats" as it held all sorts of amazing possibilities for finding and connecting with others in some surprising and unplanned way. I put a note in a bottle and told my father I wanted to send it down a river where someone far away in a distant land would find it and contact me. Wonderment of wonders, he never once laughed at me but helped me send my bottle on its way.

Though I never did hear that anyone had found my note, I was sure it had landed in a special place with a special person. I could visualize another child excitedly releasing the bottle from the water, opening it, and reading my message. It was a reaching out for friendship, I imagine. Perhaps that is why I so love all my blogging friends who read my notes and come from afar to share their thoughts and stories! You are my wonders!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July! Enjoy the weekend!!!

Where Are the Cloud People Going?

Did you lie on your back and watch the clouds scudding by when you were a child? I did and saw fanciful floating castles in the air, elegant elephants with fancy hats, and lounging dogs laying low in the meadow. It was a magical time with endless delights for the imagination!

The Little Elf-man!

This vintage piece is from a children's book I found in an antique store a while ago. It was my father's favorite poem and he often recited it to my siblings and me when we were children.

My father was a "man's man" who worked hard as a boss in an iron mine, as a carpenter in after-work hours, and as a builder on weekends. He was the strongest man we'd ever seen or known and the fact that he would—eyes twinkling—recite a poem was so much out of character for him that I always remember it with a rush of sweetness and fond memories.

A Heap o' Livin' - 1916 by Edgar Guest!

A few months ago, while shopping a thrift store near Detroit, I was excited to find this historical framed poem by Edgar Guest.

Edgar Guest worked for the Detroit Free Press for over 40 years. He wrote more than 11,000 poems which were syndicated in some 300 newspapers and collected in more than 20 books, including this one A Heap o' Livin' in 1916.

Edgar Guest was made Poet Laureate of Michigan, the only poet to have been awarded the title.

Mini-Book Project!

I've finally had a little time to play with paper, scissors, and glue! Making scrapbooks or books of any kind has always been an enjoyable hobby for me, but of late I've not had much time to spare so this has been really great fun. I think I like the process as much as the final product.

Love's Sweet Music!

I'd Like To Be As Fine A Friend As You!

If all good traits I could

re-blend

And build myself anew,

I'd like to be as fine a friend

As I have found in you!

Sweet Old Scottie Friendship Sentiment

"Some people love to move in crowds.

Some like to stroll alone

While others march in stately squads

Like soldiers over stone:

Let every fellow have his choice - -

I much prefer but two

If I can be the lucky dog

To trot along with you!"

Found this lovely old friendship poem in Marquette, Michigan some many years ago. Love the darling Scottie dogs and the sweet sentiment!

"...A Friend Who By My Side Will Stay..."

Reminiscent of stained glass, this sweet vintage friendship picture was discovered in an antique shop in Allen, Michigan "Antique Capital of the World" on a sunny Saturday recent.

Written by Gladys O. Wilson the sentiment goes like this:

Friends

I think that God has given me

A friend indeed that will always be

Whose ways are pure and manifest

And supersedes all of the rest

A friend who by my side will stay

When all the others have gone away

Who won't desert me in times of despair

But demonstrate unquestioned love & care

Who has proved by love and loyalty

The essence of what a friend should be

When on others I couldn't depend

You were the one I could call "Friend"

The Wind!

I just love these vintage poems. This one from the 1932 book of Poems for the Very Young Child. A recent thrifty find at an Indiana antique mall, the book of poems was compiled by Dolores Knippel and illustrated by Mary Ellsworth. Published by Whitman Publishing Co in Racine, Wisconsin.

More Snow Arrived Overnight!

We were sort of hoping the snow would take a vacation for a few days but here it is again. Still the new snowfall is beautiful! And I love how the snowflakes are described in this old-fashioned poem!

I discovered this 1932 book of Poems for the Very Young Child last week when Jim and I took a day trip to visit antique shops in Indiana. The book was in "falling-apart" condition with pages ready to fly away but the poems were intact as you can see. A lovely find!

Compiled by Dolores Knippel and illustrated by Mary Ellsworth. Published by Whitman Publishing Co in Racine, Wisconsin.