In keeping with the proverbial madness of the March hare (which, by the way, refers to the phenomenon of bunnies acting bonkers during their spring breeding season) …
Photo by Hardyplants via Wikimedia Commons
I thought it would be fun to quiz you on a few obscure names for animal babes. Take a gander at the list of names, below:
1. Eyas
2. Shoat
3. Leveret
4. Cygnet
5. Sac Fry
6. Yowie
Now, try to match each name to the young animal it refers to:
A. Pig
B. Hawk
C. Swan
D. Salmon
E. Rabbit
F. Sheep
You’ll find answers beneath each photo that follows, so don’t peek till you’ve made your matches.
Photo by Dominicus Johannes Bergsma via Wikimedia Commons
Eyas [ahy-uhs] is a nestling hawk or falcon (eyas is a variant of the Middle French niais, meaning “nestling”).
Photo by a United States Department of Agriculture employee via Wikimedia Commons
Shoat [shoht] is a young pig that has recently been weaned from its mother’s milk.
Photo by JJ Harrison via Wikimedia Commons
Leveret [lev-er-it] is a young rabbit or hare, specifically one that is less than a year old.
Photo by Uwe Kils via Wikimedia Commons
Cygnet [sig-nit] is a young swan.
Photo by Fernando de Sousa via Wikimedia Commons
Sac fry [sack fry] is a newly hatched salmon that remains safely hidden in the gravel habitat of its streambed nest until its yolk sac (or “lunch box,” as scientists commonly call it) is depleted.
Photo by Keven Law via Wikimedia Commons
Yowie [yow-ee] is the diminutive version of the old Scottish term yowe, which means ewe. So, “yowie” describes a little ewe.
As a side note, you might be interested to know that “yowie” also refers to a mythical hominid reputed to live in the Australian wilderness—you know, like our Mr. Bigfoot, only he appears to have less hair …
Photo by Somersetpedia.paul via Wikimedia Commons
One last word to the wise: if you holler “yowie!” to summon a lamb, someone may rush to your aid, thinking you’ve dropped a hammer on your toe.
Just sayin’.
The Internet is certainly an interconnected web of wonders. Have you ever sat down at your computer to do a quick search for something, then hours later, you emerge from the fog of wandering through an endless trail of treats you didn’t even know you were seeking? If you have the patience, the rewards can be, well, rewarding.
That happened to me recently, while working on an article for the next issue of our magazine. We mentioned a local art venue, Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, in Uniontown, Washington. The Dahmen barn is a beautiful old barn in a tiny farming town about 15 miles outside Moscow, Idaho, that’s been known for decades for its whimsical wagon-wheel fence, assembled by owner and artist Steve Dahmen over a 30-year period. Today, the fence exhibits over 1,000 wheels.
In 2004, the barn was falling into disrepair, so Steve and his wife Junette, also an artist, donated the barn to their community to be made into an art center, providing studio space for artists to work in and sell their creations, a place for local artists and fine craftspeople to sell their work on consignment, a venue for local performing and exhibiting artists, and creative experiences for children and adults through classes and workshops. Read about the transformation of the barn here.
When working on the article, I poked around their website to do a little research, and saw they are planning an Annual Art Demonstration Day on Saturday, April 11. This year’s theme is books—books of all types, things made from books, or information about books. And that led to an amazing video from bookmaker Randi Parkhurst. I don’t see that Randi is slated to appear at the event, but someone else’s rabbit trail must have led to her video to provide inspiration for those interested in books, or art, or lessons in patience … you see how the tangled web is woven. Anyway, watch this lovely video to the end, and your patience will be rewarded, I promise!
She stands mysteriously among the grass of an unassuming pasture in North Ormsby, England …
Photo by Richard Croft via Wikimedia Commons
Who is she?
This is where her mystery begins. She is a known only as “the white lady,” her true identity lost in legend.
Why was she placed here, far from the halls of an art museum or memorial?
Again, no one knows for sure.
This life-sized classical statue has watched over the fields here for hundreds of years, inspiring a mythology all her own.
Photo by John Beal Via Wikimedia Commons
“Some say it’s Roman; others say 18th century in the Greek style,” reports Wikipedia. “The site reputedly marks the spot where a woman was once killed whilst out hunting. The valley is rich in history and she stands on the site of a Gilbertine Priory founded in 1184 and close to the deserted Medieval village of North Ormsby. Whatever the truth, she has become the patroness of this beautiful valley.”
Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)
Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)
My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Katie Wright!!!
Katie Wright (#5600) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning an Expert Level Knitting Merit Badge!
“Hand-knit cardigan sweater, from a French pattern that I have had for years. I have made several of these and like having two for myself. Usually, I make them as gifts, such as this one is. It is in acrylic yarn so it can be washed easily. I do this when I make gifts, as the recipient may not know how to care for wool. Anyway, I have worked on this sweater piece by piece while doing other projects also. It takes a while to finish a sweater, and then piecing it together, doing finish work, and finishing loose ends all takes time. But it’s worth it for such a lovely gift.
This sweater turned out well. Instead of ribbing (k,p) for edges of sweater bottom and sleeves, this sweater pattern uses cables, which I believe make the product look very elegant. I chose buttercup yellow, which is very soft, but put on some sparkly buttons to “jazz” it up a bit. After all, women do like “bling.”
And the winner of the Magic Pillowcases giveaway is:
Molly Welsh, who said:
“The DH is Mike, but the nic’ is Mr.Mikey. :~)
So cute cases!”
And the original post for the GIVEAWAY was (thank you to all who participated):
In the Dec/Jan issue of MaryJanesFarm, “Home for the Holidays,” we taught you how to make “magic pillowcases.”
Now, you can win a set of the pillowcases featured in that article, made from my Bee My Honey fabric collection. The body fabric is my “Colony Hum” print, the cuff fabric is the “Honey” pattern in “Gold” color, and the trim fabric is “Multi” in “Grey.” The giveaway includes two standard-size pillowcases and a pretty, pinked-edged poinsettia bow made from another of my collection’s patterns.
To win, tell me your pet name for your favorite honey (guy or gal) in the comments section below. We’ll put your answers in a pillowcase, shake them up, and draw one lucky winner. Come back sometime next week to see who wins.
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
