voices, soft and sweet". Do you remember this poem from so long ago. For whatever reason, during my grade school years we read and memorized several of Stevenson's poems. The one about the sick child and land of the counterpane(quilt), about going up in the swing, and the one about the little bubbling stream, something about the gentle flowing waters soft and brown.
I'm not sure schools still teach poetry as they use to, which is sad(if they don't). We were given the opportunity to fall in love with words, the flow, the music, the magic and the power they have if we know them and how to use them.
I have a dolly quilt just about finished, but friend Jean keep me shopping til nearly 10 last night(very late for me). And in about 10 minutes I'm off to the local nursing home to help with a pancake breakfast for the higher functioning residents who can come to the small dining room and eat without assistance. All I get to do is pour coffee and juice, and pass more pancakes or sausages, or pour syrup..*VBS*. But Jean does this solo and fries the pancakes up fresh while they are eating, so it's very much like home for the residents. It's a BIG job to cook for and serve the 11 or 12 that are able to attend. I love helping. I'm not an official "volunteer", but I'm considering it..*VBS* I'll be back later with another dubious finish...*G* Looking forward to seeing some of you post about things from days gone by, and hearing your memories.
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17 comments:
I remember selecting and reading poems to my 6th grade class. I chose Battle Hymn of the Republic and only realized later it was also a song.
Helping at a nusing home can mean so much to the residents. Kipper and I used to visit regularly. I got my memories posted. Thanks for the invite. Katie
Longfellow wrote it, and I've always love this poem. Here is a link. I don't know if he was actually as good a dad as this makes him sound, but I like to think so.
Ah, and you brought to mind a favorite of mine:
"Dark brown is the river,
Golden is the sand,
It flows along forever,
With trees on either hand..."
Is that the one you meant?
You are bringing back some childhood memories. I had a book of Nursey Rhymes and childhood poems. I used to adore reading those books and read them to my children when they were young. I'm going to have to find them before I start having grandchildren.
Dear Finn, After your lovely letter to me about blogger not playing nicely with you, now she is not playing nicely with me! As soon as she and I come to terms, I shall upload a photo and take the Finn challenge:) And far as poetry...we did memorize it in school,which I loved. My memory isn't what it should be but my parents can still recite school favorites! My dad favored Robert Frost and Tennyson. My mom...the Calico Cat and the Gingham dog. When it comes to poetry...'to each his own'! Thanks for bringing up some good memories.
I still have my childhood book of poetry that my Dad and older sister read to me as a child. Thanks for reminding me of it.
I'm sure the folks love having you come in and cook for them...sounds like a great project.
Sio
Robert Louis Stevenson - A Child's Garden of Verses. Have still got my copy that belonged to my grandmother (I think). I used to read Pigeon Pie by Walter de la Mer (Silver and Jemima are my favourites). DD was taught Poesies in school up until the end of last year. Now she isn't, but is doing French literature instead. So how come they have just finished Kipling's Just So Stories LOL!
My English spelling is getting worse. I meant Walter de la Mare *grin*.
I don't remember memorizing so much in Elementary school, but in Middle & high School, we memorized parts of improtant historical documents & Shakespeare... So much so that I am not allowed to watch Romeo & Juliette in public....
I think A Child's Garden of Verses must have been the only book we owned when I was small. We read out of it practically every night of my childhood. I saw an old, tattered copy in an antique store one day and had to buy it, even though I have no kids. I read the book cover to cover and it sits on my end table now. I love the poems of Robert Louis Stevenson. Thanks for more memories...
I remember when I was little, my mother gave me "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson. I think I memorized every poem. Thanks for letting me remember....
Hi Finn,
I haven't been by your blog for a long time. I had a few minutes while my youngest grandson is taking a nap. I am happy to report that the 1st-3rd grade teacher at our Christian day school where I work as a monitor still has the children memorize poems as part of their spelling seatwork. Robert Lewis Stevenson is one of her favorites also.
I am working on an applique/pieced quilt for my newest on the way grandbaby. What fun it is. The colors are turkey red, cobolt blue, and tan which sounds strange but they are beautiful together.
I hope you are doing well.
Since I logged on to the google blogger site and registered again it finally is recognizing me and allowing me to leave a comment. I will be checking back again real soon.
Kindred Spirit
How wonderful that you bring some brightness to the elderly at the care home..
I imagine a pancake breakfast does seem very homey!
:)
Finn - you have been a very busy girl. Dolly quilts galore and helping at the nursing home. It all brings a smile. No matter the age, everyone just needs a little tlc and it's a blessing to be able to give.
I don't remember memorizing poetry in school (mid 60's) but I do remember penmanship books that taught such things as '30 days hath September ... and Columbus sailed the ocean blue ...' more things gone from today's teaching. And you know, my dear Carnegie Library friend, that I worry over the loss of the card catalog and the Dewey decimal system - things that are very near and dear to my heart *s*
Mmm homemade pancakes, I bet the waiting list is long for that home! I admire all you do for others, you are a real gem.
How is Ebby doing? I was just thinking of you two:
For all you cat lovers, this question:
If you could be an animal, which one would you choose and why?
here is my answer
I remember having to learn "abu ben adam, may his tribe increase" Not sure why they picked that one of all the poems ever written--and the one I had to learn about mice that took me to a contest in Springfield, IL for recitation.
Sorry to be so long in commenting, Finn. Seems like I have only had time to skim lately. You know I am going to be going nuts trying to figure out what might have been on the molasses jar.
You ever have sorghum? They make some here but it is a dying art, they say.
Hi Finn, I left a comment here, but it must have got eaten by blogger- it is not here now!
I took your challenge & blogged about the old days- Button tins were the hit of the day! It seems everyone has a memory about Grandma's button tin/jar/box, or their mother's. O the joy of sorting & sifting through those magic buttons! It has sparked quite a few old 'memory blogs' here in OZ!
MMMmmmPancakes- how my kids & grandkids love them! As we did our grandmother's- I still use her recipe.
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