It’s June, spring is starting to feel as though it’s ready to morph into summer, and flowers and flying insects abound. All this has me turning once again to Edith Holden’s The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady, and she has some delightful writings and watercolors for us this month.
June 2nd: Went down to a little stream…Found a great bed of Yellow Irises in Blossom.
Her illustration includes a dragonfly, and just last weekend I caught a glimpse of my first dragonfly of the season.
June 4th: Picked Yellow-Rattle, Pink and Scarlet Clover and saw some Moon Daisies in a field. Gathered Foxgloves.
June 9th: Saw a Painted Lady and a Small Blue Butterfly. Rowan-tree in blossom and Elder-tree.
The name Painted Lady makes me smile.
June 15th: Went to Lowry Crossing to sketch pony and foal.
Her sketch of the pony and foal appear in the July chapter, so you’ll have to come back next month to see it.
Edith cites numerous poems for June. This one is by a poet I’m not familiar with, but I love the rhythm and rhyme.
HoneySuckle
by E. M. HeathWreathing honey suckles winding
with the westering sun
Self entwined and twig entangled
bush and briar o’er run,—
What a mass of yellow bloom!
Clustering beads of sweet perfume!
Finger-buds of rose unfurling
Clariontrumps their tips uncurling
Opening to the azure sky
Waxen throats of minstrelsy!
This is pink honeysuckle instead of yellow, and only here for illustrative purposes.
I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever encountered the word “minstrelsy” before this, and I don’t think I have. It refers to a troupe of minstrels, and a clarion is a clear, rousing sound. Both fitting descriptions for honeysuckle of any color, don’t you think?
Until next time,
Lee
