Good afternoon, from The Verdant Kingdom.

All items from the last collection have been claimed. Thank you for your support!

It has been requested that I carve and print new designs and I plan to fulfill that request!

Currently, I have been working on a larger, more time consuming project that I am not quite ready to reveal.

I mentioned previously I spend my mornings working on creative pursuits. Some mornings, the call to motherhood allows for 5 minutes, others 45 minutes. Slowly but consistently things are coming together!

More details soon!

Good Afternoon, from The Verdant Kingdom!

Today's book haul- Paul picked up this copy of Poul Anderson's Conan The Rebel for me!

As you can see, I am STILL on a Poul Anderson kick!

The Broken Sword by PA is an absolute masterpiece. The Boris Vallejo cover is so much cooler than this one I have here. Will be re-reading it soon...

A Midsummer Tempest is a 1974 alternate history fantasy novel that blends the English Civil War with early industrial technology and a world where Shakespeare's plays are literal history. I haven't read any of his Scfi stuff yet but I'll give it a go! Reviews say, "Sword, Sorcery, religion, literature...and a rattling good adventure yarn."

War of the Gods, by Poul Anderson is an episodic adventure. The story draws heavily from Old Norse mythology and the sagas of the early Danish king Hadding. Being Danish himself, most of his saga style stories were about the Danish Kings. So far, it seems to be bleak and fatalistic, filled with sinister magic, and grimness of war.

And then...some essential art books. Rackham's color illustrations for Wagner's "Ring"

And

KNIGHTS - killer artwork in this one including The Green Knight.

I am reading that to Viktor next so it will be cool to have artwork for him to look at during the read aloud.

Good afternoon, from The Verdant Kingdom!!!

It's my first time reading any translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and I have to say.... It's challenging as a read aloud!

Having artwork alongside the text is really satisfying.

Good afternoon, from The Verdant Kingdom.

If only I could send a Smell-agram of the biblichor here in this bookstore.

Biblichor-  describes the particular smell that belongs to old books.  It is a newer word that combines the Greek words biblio (book) with ichor (the fluid that flows like blood in the veins of the gods).

These tall bookshelves make me think I need to get rid of many of my belongings so we can make more room for books in our house!!

I was inspired to write a review of Tolkien's translation of The Green Knight (and the movie) partially because we are approaching the Yule season in which this story takes place and partially because I thought others might appreciate Tolkein's touch on this lesser known tale that begins in King Arthur's court.

The poem was written in the 14th century by an anonymous author who became known as the, "Gawain Poet." Tolkien's translation was a faithful and scholarly attempt to preserve the original alliterative verse in form and essence, rather than a literal word-for-word rendition.

His approach prioritized maintaining the meter, tone, and archaic flavor of the 14th-century poem which resulted in a more complex reading experience.

I found it to be challenging to read at first, especially out loud, but once I settle into meter and tone, it was easier to follow. Viktor also enjoyed the poem. I found that he was whispering snippets of the poem to himself as I was reading which was absolutely charming.

As for the writing itself, Tolkien completed his translation around 1953, though it was not published until after his death in 1975 in the collection I have shared above.

I like that the original poem presents Gawain as a virtuous, courteous, and humble Knight who is committed to chivalry in contrast to David Lowery's film version of TGK where Gawain is presented as a character lacking in the virtues of the classic hero archetype.

In the movie Gawain seeks glory and recognition- He seeks to prove himself by accepting the challenge of the Green Knight.

While Gawain makes a mistake that proves his humanity in the original version, the film amplifies his hesitation when it comes time to fulfill his oath. The ending of the film is ambiguous - you're left to decide if he gives into the temptation of cowardice, or if he chooses to reject cowardice by removing the green sash (a magical protection against beheading) as he sees before him that living dishonorably would lead to a hollow life.

I prefer Morgan le Fay's character in the poem. In both the movie and the poem she instigates the entire plot, however, the narrative of the verse reminds me of the vengeful, ambitious antagonist who plots against King Arthur and his court.

Besides testing the power and pride of the famed Knights of the Round Table, she also seeks to scare Guinevere TO DEATH with the grim and twisted events concerning the Green Knight, his beheading, and subsequent visuals of the mysterious man holding his own head as he laughs and departs King Arthur's court.

While the description of the Green Knight and the challenge he offers in Arthur's court is beautifully written, the description of the Green Chapel at the end is also worth boasting.

The Green Chapel is not a church but an ominous, ancient mound resembling a hollow grave. It is a desolate, horrifying place where Gawain goes to meet the Green Knight to receive his death blow and fulfill his promise to the knight.

Good afternoon from The Verdant Kingdom.

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Good evening, from The Verdant Kingdom.

We've been making copies of our favorite coloring books. We've got a Conan coloring book, a Norse Gods and Goddesses coloring book, and other various themes and styles.

I let the lads use my fancy expensive colored pencils last time. They were good boys and didn't ruin a single one.

Good Morning, from The Verdant Kingdom. We're currently reading The White Company at Paul's recommendation.

We did take a brief and unexpected foray into The Red Keep by Allen French, the same author as The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow.

Sometimes this happens- you pick up a new book, crack the cover just to look and before you notice you're .25 of the way through....

Good morning, from The Verdant Kingdom.

I collected the last flush from the garden this morning. Some of the beds have already been sown with cover crops. Soon, I'll prepare to move all the beds to a more ideal location.

I've already begun plans for next year's garden and things will look a little different next time around!

Good evening, from The Verdant Kingdom.