Found in a book

 This inscription was found in a second hand book I picked up recently.  You can't help but wonder what it was doing in a second hand shop and what happened to the couple and the circumstances it was given.

"I do not know the reasons

I only sing the tunes

The sadness of the seasons

The madness of the moons

dearest H

Eat coconuts and custard for

morning, dinner and tea, kiss

all the little black boys and 

one or two for me.  Be jolly

and smilie happy and I love

you lots, forever and a day.

always and always

Sammy xxx"

Cake - Crème Fraîche Poundcake

Old-fashioned poundcake recipes don’t typically contain any chemical leavening, relying on the power of eggs and elbow grease to raise the crumb. Modern recipes often mix in a little baking powder or soda to lighten things up — but how much can be up to the cook. Adding 1/2 teaspoon baking powder will give the cake a dense and velvety interior; using the whole teaspoon makes it slightly airier and softer. Either way, this buttery loaf cake has a gentle tang from the crème fraîche, which is also featured in the candylike glaze. You’ll need a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan to accommodate all the batter. If your loaf pan is smaller, bake any extra batter in a greased ramekin on the side.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021389-creme-fraiche-poundcake?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytfood





INGREDIENTS

1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
1 ¼ cups/250 grams granulated sugar, plus more for coating the pan
1 ½ cups/190 grams all-purpose flour
1 ½ tablespoons/10 grams cornstarch
½ to 1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
4 eggs, at room temperature
⅓ cup/80 milliliters crème fraîche (or sour cream), at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or dark rum

FOR THE GLAZE:

1 ½ cups/185 grams confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or dark rum
2 tablespoons crème fraîche

PREPARATION

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, including the rim. Sprinkle a little sugar into the pan, tilting to coat the bottom and sides in a thin, even layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. (Using 1/2 teaspoon baking powder yields a dense and velvety interior, while 1 teaspoon makes the cake slightly airier and softer.)
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, either hand-held or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well between additions.
With the mixer set on low speed, beat in half the flour mixture. Beat in the crème fraîche, then the remaining flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. (Depending on your pan, it may fill it all the way to the top, and that is OK.) Bake until the cake is browned on top and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes while you make the syrup.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup/120 grams of the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract or rum, and 2 tablespoons water, whisking until smooth. (It should be quite thin. Add more water, if needed.) Using a long, thin paring knife, pierce the cake all over about 20 times, poking all the way through. Spoon 4 tablespoons of the syrup over the warm cake. Reserve remaining syrup in the bowl.
After the cake has cooled in the pan for an hour, run a thin metal spatula or butter knife around the edges to release them from the pan, then unmold the cake onto the rack to finish cooling.
Whisk crème fraîche and remaining 1/2 cup/60 grams confectioners’ sugar into the syrup until you get a thick glaze, as thick as heavy cream. Add a little more confectioners’ sugar or water if needed to get the right texture.
Pour the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Let the glaze set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Food The Many Benefits Of Pumpkin

 Here are a few things to keep in mind before feeding your dog pumpkin.

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/benefits-of-feeding-your-dog-pumpkin/?utm_content=buffer65d91&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR2MTfNz6dI5N0FFvvqMpFk7H8RN5toIRw2qNLnNzCxixT-GWop_Cb16mOU

English bulldog checking out a pumpkin. Photo: GoDogPhoto/Getty Images

Indulging in everything from pumpkin beers to lattes has become a rite of fall for us humans, but your dog can also get in on the seasonal fun. Pumpkin is likely already in the food your pet eats, according to FDA reports and a reading of these top-notch freeze-dried food labels, and boasts some health benefits as well. Read on to make sure you get the right kind of pumpkin.

It Can Help Digestive Issues

Stomach aches happen to the best of us (and not just after overdoing it on Thanksgiving), and dogs aren’t immune. Pumpkin can help with digestive issues.

Whole Dog Journal Founding Editor Nancy Kerns keeps plain canned pumpkin on hand  at all times. She’s sworn by it since her dog, Woody, ingested too much sand on a beach trip. After a few days of eating pumpkin, he was on the mend. Whole Dog Journal contributor Mary Straus also uses pumpkin for upset stomachs and offers these tips and recipes.

Pumpkin also acts as a binder and firms up loose stools in dogs — and it’s palatable to boot. Whole Dog Journal contributor Shari Mann suggests using plain canned pumpkin to make liver-pumpkin cookies (since liver is known to cause loose stools, adding pumpkin is essential). 

Dog Siberian Husky eating a pumpkin. Photo: Sergeeva/Getty Images

Hold the Spice

Sugar and spice aren’t too nice for pups. Though pumpkin pie may be your favorite Thanksgiving dessert, avoid canned pumpkin that has added sugar or spices. Plain canned pumpkin is the stuff you want. You can sometimes find it sold in pet supply stores and labeled for dogs (and about twice the price), but it’s absolutely the same stuff you can buy in supermarkets. 
Canned pumpkin is highly palatable; most dogs will eat it mixed into their kibble or other food, or lick it right off a spoon. But if you want to make the treat a little more festive, try these mini-pumpkin pies made with plain pumpkin.

Mary Oliver

 

For some more Mary Oliver goodness: “Tell me about Despair, yours & I will tell you Mine”—Rare Live Reading by Mary Oliver.

Where the path closed

down and over,

through the scumbled leaves,

fallen branches,

through the knotted catbrier,

I kept going. Finally

I could not

save my arms

from thorns; soon

the mosquitoes

smelled me, hot

and wounded, and came

wheeling and whining.

And that’s how I came

to the edge of the pond:

black and empty

except for a spindle

of bleached reeds

at the far shore

which, as I looked,

wrinkled suddenly

into three egrets – – –

a shower

of white fire!

Even half-asleep they had

such faith in the world

that had made them – – –

tilting through the water,

unruffled, sure,

by the laws

of their faith not logic,

they opened their wings

softly and stepped

over every dark thing.

HISTORY OF EWLOE CASTLE AND THE BATTLE OF EWLOE (1157)

In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries Ewloe was a heavily wooded area near the main road from Chester into North Wales. In the years after the Norman Conquest the area had fallen under the control of Marcher Lords, but the political turmoil of the Anarchy – the Civil War between Queen Matilda and King Stephen over the English succession – had enabled the native Welsh to re-assert themselves. Owain ap Gruffudd, King of Gwynedd (Owen the Great) had expanded his power at the expense of both the Marcher Lords and other Welsh Lords and in particular he had taken Rhuddlan Castle (the motte-and-bailey castle at Twthill rather than the later Edwardian fortification) in 1150.

Battle of Ewloe (1157) (also known as Battle of Coleshill)

Henry II had ascended to the English throne in 1154 and immediately sought to restore Royal power which had been extensively eroded during the Anarchy. In Summer 1157 he launched a major expedition into North Wales to defeat Owain ap Gruffudd. A naval detachment under Henry FitzRoy attacked Anglesey, the bread-basket of the north, whilst the King himself advanced from Chester with a large field army (perhaps 30,000 men strong). Henry's intent was to re-take Rhuddlan Castle. However Owain had assembled a small force, possibly a mere tenth the size of Henry's, but was at Basingwerk and blocked the English King's approach. Henry sent a large force into Ewloe wood to flank round the Welsh forces. Moving into such terrain favoured the Welsh and Owain sent a significant portion of his troops into the woods and ambushed the English. The Welsh action was successful and the English detachment was routed. Henry II himself was almost killed in the fighting and only saved by the actions of Roger de Clare, Earl of Hertford.

Ewloe Castle

It is not clear when the first fortification was built at Ewloe. The castle seen today was constructed around 1257 by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales. During this time he had benefited from Henry III's weak rule and later his distraction with the Second Barons War - in which Llywelyn enthusiastically supported Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester’s rebellion. Despite the defeat of the rebels, the English King sought peace and sealed the Treaty of Montgomery (1267) which confirmed Gruffudd's rule over the lands in which Ewloe stood.

Ewloe Castle was one of the last built by a native Welsh Prince and demonstrates the traits of their designs. The massive 'D' shaped Keep, built on top of a rocky knoll, was the centrepiece of the defences and surrounded by a curtain wall enclosing an Inner Ward. A circular tower formed the western defences and was part of an Outer ward. The castle was positioned in a wooded valley at the junction of the Wepre and New Inn brooks.

Edward I invaded Wales in 1276 (the First War of Welsh Independence) seizing all territory east of the River Conwy including Ewloe. Whilst the Welsh castle seems to have been occupied by English forces, its use was short-lived - instead Edward I raised new state-of-the-art castles at Rhuddlan and Flint which could be easily re-supplied by sea. Ewloe Castle had been abandoned by 1277 and over the subsequent decades and centuries its stonework was robbed for other projects leaving the ruin seen today.

The Meanings Behind Different Dog Sounds

 https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/behavior/body-language/the-meanings-behind-different-dog-noises/?utm_content=buffer7328c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR2QTIE3KhjYilVxDT68K_21Iqh0QRRmJ1Vv_qSvyPu4Hli1VByE1tUH0oY

Barks, growls, howls, whines, whimpers, even dog purring - different dog sounds have different meanings. Here's how to decipher the different noises your dog makes and what they mean!

There are generally six types of dog sounds the use in order to vocally communicate with humans or with other canines. Most noises dogs make indicate some form of frustration, like when a dog whines to go outside. But dogs will also vocalize pleasure – and happy dog noises don’t always sound too friendly! Here’s a rundown of what dog sounds might mean:

1. Barking

Why do dogs bark? Dogs bark for many reasons, including alert (there’s something out there!), alarm (there’s something bad out there) boredom, demand, fear, suspicion, distress, and pleasure (play). If you know how to tell between different kinds of dog barks, you can easily understand why your dog is so vocal in the first place! Believe it or not, dogs’ vocal communication methods aren’t just for annoying neighbors – they’re for telling you something important has happened!

The bark of a distressed dog, such as a dog who suffers from isolation or separation distress or anxiety, is high-pitched and repetitive; getting higher in pitch as the dog becomes more upset. Boredom barking tends to be more of a repetitive monotone. Alert bark is likely to be a sharp, staccato sound; alarm barking adds a note of intensity to the alert.

Demand barks are sharp and persistent, and directed at the human who could/should ostensibly provide whatever the dog demands. At least, the dog thinks so. Suspicious barks are usually low in tone, and slow, while fearful barking is often low but faster. Play barking just sounds . . . playful. If you have any doubt – look to see what the dog is doing. If he’s playing, it’s probably play barking.

2. Baying

Baying is deep-throated, prolonged barking, most often heard when a dog is in pursuit of prey, but also sometimes offered by a dog who is challenging an intruder. The scent hounds are notorious for their melodic baying voices. Some people interpret dog baying a long moaning sound.

© Tatappo | Dreamstime.com

3. Growling

Growls are most often a warning that serious aggression may ensue if you persist in whatever you’re doing, or what-ever is going on around him. Rather than taking offense at your dog’s growl, heed his warning, and figure out how to make him more comfortable with the situation.

If instead of a hostile growl, your dog is grumbling lowly, he may be perfectly happy! Dogs also growl in play. It’s common for a dog to growl while playing tug – and that’s perfectly appropriate as long as the rest of his body language says he’s playing. If there’s any doubt in your mind, take a break from play to let him calm down. Some dogs also growl in pleasure. Rottweilers are notorious for “grumbling” when being petted and playing, and absent any signs of stress, this is interpreted as a “feels good” happy dog noise.

© Dutchinny | Dreamstime.com

4. Howling

Howling is often triggered by a high-pitched sound; many dogs howl at the sound of fire and police sirens. (Two of my own dogs howl when our donkey brays). Some dog owners have taught their dogs to howl on cue, such as the owner howling.

Howling is generally considered to be communication between pack members: perhaps to locate another pack member, or to call the pack for hunting. Some dogs howl when they are significantly distressed – again, a common symptom of isolation and separation distress.

5. Whimpering Sounds/Yelping

A whimper or a yelp is often an indication that a dog is in pain. This may happen when dogs play, if one dog bites the other dog too hard. The whimper or yelp is used to communicate the dog’s distress to a pack member (or human) when they are friendly. The other dog or human is expected to react positively to the communication. Whimpers can also indicate strong excitement such as when an owner returns at the end of a long workday. Excitement whimpering is often accompanied by licking, jumping, and barking. Dog whimpering is softer and less intense than whining. Puppy crying sounds are just little whimpers.

6. Whining

Dog whining sounds are high-pitched vocalizations, often produced nasally with the mouth closed. A dog may whine when it wants something, needs or wants to go outside, feels frustrated by leash restraint, is separated from a valued companion (human or otherwise), or just wants attention. It is usually an indication of some increased level of stress for the dog. Most often the dog crying sound is an exaggerated whine or whimper.

Speaking Words?

Some dogs are capable of replicating human speech sounds. When these sounds are selectively reinforced, dogs can appear to be speaking human words, sometimes even sentences. It is most likely that the dogs have no concept of the meaning behind the words they are “speaking” – although as we learn more about canine cognition, one can’t ever be too sure.

It’s interesting to note that one of the phrases most frequently taught to dogs by their owners is some version of, “I love you…” Youtube provides some entertaining footage of talking dogs, like this one.

Whim for the Weekend:

"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did.

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain

Artwork: VW Beach Adventure, Teri Davis

Have an extraordinary Bank Holiday weekend everyone!

Scooby-Doo co-creator Joe Ruby dies

 Joe Ruby, the American animator and writer who co-created the cartoon series Scooby-Doo, has died aged 87.

© Rex Features Ruby's most famous creation Scooby-Doo has endured for over 50 years. Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock

He died of natural causes in Westlake Village, California, according to his grandson Benjamin Ruby, who confirmed his death to Variety.

He also said his grandfather had never lost his passion for TV, telling the publication: "He never stopped writing and creating, even as he aged."

Warner Bros Animation and Blue Ribbon Content president Sam Register echoed his words in a statement, writing: "Joe Ruby made Saturday mornings special for so many children, including myself.

"He was one of the most prolific creators in our industry who gifted us some of animation's most treasured characters and it was a thrill to host him at our studio.

"Scooby-Doo has been a beloved companion on screens for more than 50 years, leaving an enduring legacy that has inspired and entertained generations. We at Warner Bros Animation have the privilege and honour of carrying on that legacy and send our warmest thoughts to his loved ones."

© Other The bad guys would have got away with it if it wasn't for 'those meddling kids'

Ruby formed the idea for the original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! series with his TV writing partner Ken Spears back in 1969.

They created the show for animation studio Hanna-Barbera, but later went on to form their own rival animation production company, Ruby-Spears Productions.

Scooby was created to fill a family-friendly slot after some of Hanna-Barbera's other cartoons were criticised for being too violent.

A host of character ideas were trialled - including all the cartoon leads being members of a rock band - before the classic Scooby gang were approved for the screen.

The premise of the show was simple: Scooby-Doo the Great Dane and his puppy pal Scrappy, along with teenagers Freddie, Velma, Daphne and Shaggy, would venture out in their trusty VW camper van to seek out the bad guys and bring them to justice.

© Rex Features The cartoon spawned numerous films. Pic: Hannah Barbera Prods/Atlas/Kobal/Shutterstock

Ghosts, ghouls and rubber masks frequently featured, and each episode would end with the famous line: "If it wasn't for those meddling kids…"

The original show ran on CBS for seven years and has been rebooted numerous times since.

The cartoon also spawned numerous film versions, the latest of which - titled Scoob - starred Zac Efron and Amanda Seyfried as Fred and Daphne.

The remake also starred original 1969 cast member Frank Welker as the voice of Scooby, after he originally voiced Fred in Ruby and Spears' original show.

Ruby got his first animation job as an intern at Walt Disney Productions, after previously working for the US Navy as a sonar operator on a destroyer ship during the Korean War.

He then moved to Hanna-Barbera, where he and Spears created Scooby-Doo, Dynomutt, Dog Wonder and Jabberjaw.

In 1977, Ruby and Spears set up their own studio in competition with Hanna-Barbera where they created numerous Saturday morning cartoons including Alvin and the Chipmunks, Superman, Mister T, Fangface, The Plastic Man Comedy-Adventure Hour, Thundarr the Barbarian and Saturday Supercade.

Ruby-Spears was bought by Hanna-Barbera's parent company Taft Entertainment in 1981 and its back catalogue has since been acquired by Turner Broadcasting.

Ruby later executive produced animated versions of live action shows and films including Police Academy: The Animated Series, Punky Brewster and the Rambo series.

Ruby is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carole, their four children and 10 grandchildren.

When I am dead, my dearest BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

 

Goblin Market – Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

When I am dead, my dearest,

Sing no sad songs for me;

Plant thou no roses at my head,

Nor shady cypress tree:

Be the green grass above me

With showers and dewdrops wet;

And if thou wilt, remember,

And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,

I shall not feel the rain;

I shall not hear the nightingale

Sing on, as if in pain:

And dreaming through the twilight

That doth not rise nor set,

Haply I may remember,

And haply may forget.

Today is National Dog Day

 

The History of Wales

22 h

Today is National Dog Day.

Wales' tradition as a nation of dog lovers has its origins in their invaluable assistance in the hunting and herding of animals over Wales' rocky and mountainous terrain.

According to a Welsh legend, Gelert was the favourite hunting hound of Llywelyn the Great. His story tells us that, tragically, Llywelyn killed Gelert with his sword after mistakingly thinking that the dog had attacked his baby son. Immediately after a baby's cry was heard from under a pile of bedding that had been dispersed from the overturned cradle and when Llywelyn investigated he saw his son alive and lying next to the body of a large wolf that Gelert had slain. Llywelyn was devastated that he had killed his loyal friend and it is said that he never smiled again.

One of Wales' most famous dogs, was Swansea Jack, a black retriever from Swansea, who regularly responded to cries of help from anyone in difficulty in the water of the docks and riverbanks of the city, bringing them to safety.

Dog breeds originating in Wales include;

Welsh Corgi - There are two separate breeds of corgi, the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Historically corgis were used as herding dogs for sheep, horses and cattle. They are referred to as 'heelers' as, to keep the larger animal moving, they would nip them at the heels. It is thought that the Viking settlers brought over the Cardigan Corgi from the 10th century and Flemish settlers, the Pembroke Corgi around the 12th century. Queen Elizabeth II is a well-known owner of Pembrokeshire Corgis. All of her corgis are descended from Susan, the corgi given to her on her 18th birthday.

Sealyham Terrier - This breed was developed by Captain John Edwardes of Sealyham House, near Wolfscastle in the mid 19th century. They were originally used to hunt small game and badgers. At one time, the Sealyham was a popular pet dog, with famous owners including Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Agatha Christie, Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock, King George V and Princess Margaret.

The Welsh Hound - This breed may well have originated from Segussi breed which existed in Roman times. Because of its speed and stamina, it was bred primarily as a hunting dog, typically in packs. However, it is also placid and friendly making it a good house pet. The 'Laws of Hywel Dda' (942 – 948 AD) give the value of a trained Welsh Hound as 240 pence and untrained as 120 pence. This compares with a pack horse valued at 120 pence.

Welsh Sheepdog - Traditionally these dogs were used by Welsh drovers taking cattle and sheep long distances to market.

Welsh Springer Spaniel - This breed was first recognised by The Kennel Club in 1902. It is thought to have originated from the Land Spaniel, recorded as early as 1570, which was used to spring game for hunters using falcons.

Welsh Terrier - These dogs were originally bred for hunting fox, rodents and badger. President John F Kennedy's most loyal companion was Charlie, his Welsh terrier.

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