Tick Tock

As the last hours of 2011 draw nigh I'm thinking of all the celebrations and well wishing and love and good-will and wish I could bottle its power - as we all see in and celebrate the New Year what good energy, what strength!   It will ripple around the earth in a massive joyful wave.  Hope you feel its warmth.

But before the clock strikes.....

A toast to thee, 0 dear old year,
While the last moments fly,
A toast to thy sweet memory -
We'll lift the glasses high,
And bid to thee a fond farewell
As thou art passing by!

A toast to those who reaped success
In this good year of grace;
A toast to every one of them -
Come! Give the victors place!
Come, wish them well with right good will -
The winners in the race!

And one toast more! To those who failed
Wherever they may be;
With faces white they fought the fight,
But missed the victory;
So here's to them - the ones who strove -
On land and on the sea!

Fair dreams to thee, 0 grey old year,
Thy working time is done,
And gone for thee the silver moon,
And golden noon-day sun;
Yet sad old year - and glad old year -
We'll know no better one.

by Virna Sheard

Finials

The word Finial comes from the Latin Finis - the end - so actually it is quite apt as the year is finishing - but I only realised that connection just now.  I love finials, stone ones in particular.  I look out for them and admire the mastery of carving.  By old writers the architectural term is frequently applied to a pinnacle (more about pinnacles to follow), and usually confined to a bunch of foliage which terminates pinnacles, canopies and pediments in Gothic architecture.  The introduction of finials was at a time when crockets (more about them to follow too), were popular, to which they bear a close affinity.  The leaves used in finials often resemble those used on crockets, and sometimes four joined together would make up a finial.  Spires are often topped with finials.

Beautiful examples exist at King's College, Cambridge which my latest lino-cut attempts to show.  Where gables support ornamental decoration or finish in the form of a final, they are sometimes known as hip-knobs.

These are some more modern ones - Five Finials by Ian Hamilton Finlay (with Peter Coates)

Reviewing and Looking Ahead

As the year comes to a close we are bound to think about what kind of twelve months it has been, and also plan ahead for the new.

 

From Sine's Proverbs

It is exciting to assess what has been achieved and organise for the next chapter -  aspire, clarify intentions, and design ways of  proceeding. My goals revolve around doing better what I love doing most, sculpting in stone,  and perhaps growing as a human being a little, and I find it essential to draw myself a sort of map, so I can head off in the right direction. 

I think I re-draw the chart from time to time as I go along, but providing I remain focused and true, I suppose there are many routes I can take.

It is lovely to think of, and hear about, everyone else's maps and their journeys - and a  marvel that we all arrive here having come along such different paths during 2011.

Here's hoping all your plans go to plan.

My Christmas Gifts

I wake very early on Christmas morning, there's lots to do and a day full of promise.  First thing is to go and say Happy Christmas to my geese and take them their festive breakfast - a mix of lots of their very favourite things - they talk loudly and enjoy the special attention.  I say Merry Christmas to my worksheds too, leaning against the large wood doors and looking out on my favourite view.  Large flocks of corvids play and swirl in the near light, enjoying the buffeting wind.  My robin chirrups.  I fill the bird feeders.

After lighting of fires, preparing, cooking, greeting, welcoming, kissing, hugging and enjoying - its time for a good brisk walk.  No snow or crisp frost, but enough of a wind to freshen and free.

I got a present of a lino cutting set - complete with ink, cutters and lino - so the evening was spent adding lino scraps and slivers to the paper and pine-needle debris.  Need more cutter control, but what a fascinating and versatile printing technique - I could be hooked.

Happy Christmas

A big hearty Happy Christmas, lots of the very best wishes to you all!   And big thankyous too, for your support, comments and lovely blogs which I very much enjoy and appreciate every day.  Cheers to you!