On Sunday, before they returned to London, the family came round and we went for a Roast Lunch at the local pub. The pub was busy, service a little slower than usual. Jess had missed her nap and was rather fractious. I offered to take her outside . We walked round the back to the bowling green, and sat on the memorial bench. We spotted 'b' things - birds, butterflies, bumblebees, bicycle, bench etc. Then Grandad Bob came and said food was ready. After the girls had finished eating, Jess was still not happy. She wanted to play a game on Mum's phone - but there was no signal [normal for Norfolk] So this time, Rosie came outside with Jess and Grandma. I asked Rosie if she knew how to make Daisy Chains. She didn't - but there were some splendid ones with very long stalks growing in the grass.
The girls were both fascinated by this home made jewellery. I am sure I made these with Ro a couple of years ago, but I guess she had forgotten. I told Rosie that the name comes from Day's Eye - because at night its petals close up [Didn't say that Geoffrey Chaucer used that term 600 years ago]When the others came out to find us, Jess and Rosie were very happy displaying their necklaces. And I was pleased to have passed on a traditional skill. Maybe next time they visit, I will teach Jess the song about Daisy and the bicycle made for two!
That brought back memories of making daisy chains with my eldest grandaughters. My nan's sister used to sing Daisy. She also taught me K K K Katie, beautiful Katie. That was actually her name. How lovely to have a family get together.
ReplyDeleteI've just looked up the story of Daisy, Daisy (correct title Daisy Bell) it is fascinating. I'd didn't know it had so many verses. It was written in 1892, and KKKatie was from 1918.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, my great auntie Katie was born in 1901 so would have been a teenager. We hear Disney songs too!!
Delete👍
DeleteWouldnt it be sad if all these old traditions were not passed on? Grandma used to sing Daisy to us!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing my best to teach the old songs to the grandchildren - but they are bombarded with songs all the time these days. As I pushed Jess in the buggy, she was singing Frozen's "Let it go, let it go" over and over. Unfortunately that is the only line she knows. It gets a bit boring after the 20th time!
DeleteYou are a very good Grandma! Making daisy chains sounds like a fun activity for the girls to do. My mother used to sing Daisy Daisy as well as the response to it, which was Michael, Michael, in which the lady says she will not marry if there is no carriage.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that verse!
DeleteThese are the lyrics my mother sang (and taught me):
Delete"Michael, Michael, Here is my answer true,
I'm not crazy, All for the love of you,
If you can't afford a carriage,
Call off the blooming marriage,
For I'll be blowed, if I am towed,
On a bicycle built for two."
:D
I love it! I was sure you would rhyme Michael with Cycle though 😉
DeleteHow sweet and a far cry from a screen on a phone. Do you like Butter? A reflection of the sun under a chin from a buttercup. Of course we all did! Lesley
ReplyDeleteI remember someone doing that to me, and I said "But we only eat marg, cos butter is too expensive" (which was true, but my Mum was not happy!)
DeleteWhen my grandson learnt about computers in primary school, I did a quiz for him about the connection between a computer and a bicycle. In 1961 an IBM 704 was programmed to sing Daisy,Daisy in the first demonstration of speech synthesis. He then surprised me as he was able to sing the song all the way through.
ReplyDeleteClever child - clearly takes after his grandma!
DeleteWe used to make necklaces and bracelets from clover as the neighborhood yards had an abundance of that.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I have used other flowers in the past, but mostly daisies
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to teach her, and happy memories with you that will never be forgotten and SO much better than handing over a screen for her to play with.
ReplyDeleteExactly 🌼🌼🌼
DeleteWhat a lovely lunch out and the daisy chain making was such a good idea to keep the girls busy. Sorry for lack of comments as internet has been down and I can’t comment on my phone.Catriona
ReplyDeleteThe internet an be a real pain sometimes!!
DeleteWe made daisy chains at playtime at primary school... ah, memories...
ReplyDelete🌼🌼🌼❤️🌼🌼🌼
DeleteHere's a verse from over America way for Daisy, Daisy:
ReplyDeleteHenry, Henry, here is my answer true.
I'm NOT crazy all for the love of you!
If you can't afford a carriage,
There WON"T be any marriage,
'Cause I'll be switched
If I'll be hitched, to a bicycle built for two!
So you have a Henry, but Bless had a Michael!!
DeleteI am very much against perfect lawns, as my grandmother's lawn was a delight to me when I visited (coming from a small concrete backyard at the time). Not only did she have daisies, there were also scarlet pimpernels and star of Bethlehem in the grass! Of course I made daisy chains. No wee daisies here, but there are other lovely "weeds" to embellish our not perfect lawn!
ReplyDeleteWildflowers in the lawn are good for the bees and other pollinators 🐝🐝🐝
DeleteWe loved making daisy chains at school! Oh how I wish we had a field at school!!! We loved our green patch before it was built on!
ReplyDeleteI love singing trad songs with my kids. I had a girl one say that her mum said I should try some different types of songs with the choir (which was rude as what does she know about young voices!)but I think they should learn more trad songs whilst young with good, varied melodies rather than the things they hear anyway!
Kx
I think it is good to teach children trad songs they may not hear elsewhere
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