Apr 29 2023 - King Charles - The Spaniel

 

Here we are with a King Charles about to be crowned, and little Millie is named after the previous King Charles.  What is that history?  The Charles is Charles II so that's 1630 - 1685. The other names they've had are English Toy Spaniel, Toy Spaniel, Prince Charles Spaniel, Ruby Spaniel and Blenheim Spaniel.  Actually these were separate breeds that were merged in the twentieth century in association with the American Kennel Association. I hadn't realized that the colour combinations also have "Charles" names: King Charles (black and tan), Prince Charles (white with black and tan patches), Blenheim (white with red patches), Ruby (red).  Wikipedia says: "King Charles II of England was very fond of the toy spaniel, which is why the dogs now carry his name, although there is no evidence that the modern breeds are descended from his particular dogs. He is credited with causing an increase in popularity of the breed during this period." The breed continued to be popular with Royalty.  Consider this history fact: In 1896, Otto von Bismarck purchased a King Charles Spaniel from an American kennel for $1,000 (the average price was between $50 and $200 for a Blenheim).  Wow!  What's that value now? That's $40,000 today.  And there is a dog worth that today: "Selling for $40,000, this adorable puppy just became the words most expensive sheep dog. A puppy has recently bagged the title for the most expensive sheepdog in the world after being sold for a grand $39,980." That was Feb 8, 2021  I could never make up these facts - they seem more like fantasy. There's a King Charles Spaniel urban legend or two:  An urban legend claims that Charles II issued a special decree granting King Charles Spaniels permission to enter any establishment in the UK, overriding "no dog except guide dogs" rules. A variant of this myth relates specifically to the Houses of Parliament. This myth is sometimes instead applied to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.   And that brings one back to Millie - she appears to be a King Charles Spaniel with her signature snubbed nose vs Dezi who had the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel elongated nose.   Here's Millie as a puppy! Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Apr 16 2023 - Snubbed from the List

 

I guess if we have problems working out a wedding invitation list, then we couldn't expect the Royals to work out a Coronation invitation list.  Those who have not been invited and those who have been and have declined.  I haven't found a comprehensive list with the ins and the outs.  2,000 guests have been invited.  That is said to be slightly under the capacity of Westminster Abbey.   How many were invited to Queen Elizabeth's - - 8,000 guests attended (another article says that 5,000 attended).  There was special scaffolding set up to accommodate so many people.  That makes this coronation a much reduced version.  I wonder why that is. The report says Charles is looking to keep the palace budget as low as possible.   I would like to weigh in that this is NOT the occasion to be concerned about budget - this is a once in a life time.  I wonder if he realized that he will get crowned only once.   The dilemma of how big the royal family circle is now makes everything intense:  "What’s causing even more stress is that the invitations are being sent out in a two-stage process: a save-the-date email and then a paper invitation via snail mail. The recipients will have to acknowledge the email before they get that coveted invitation with the source calling it “a practical arrangement” for the palace. We at least know that Harry and Meghan have passed the first stage with flying colors, but it’s unknown whether they will choose to be in attendance for Charles’ big day." How "excruciating" the wait would be in March - finding out whether one was accepted or snubbed - that moment of whether one is "truly a part of the royal family's inner circle."   Who is out?  ... Fergie did not get invited to the coronation.  Her former and disgraced husband Andrew is expected to go. Here's her story on coronation day. "The Duchess of York previously acknowledged that she likely would not be asked to attend the event because she is no longer with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew. However, she still plans on celebrating the big day. “I personally will be having a little tea room and coronation chicken sandwich and putting out the bunting,” she said on ITV’s “Loose Women.”   So our weeping cherry tree was blossoming yesterday in Niagara and I took Millie to the park and got a few pictures of her.  She seems to have two expressions - a grumpy accusing look straight at me, and a noble look into the distance.  She's in the blooming blue Scillas.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Apr 12 2023 - Bad Actors

 

In the headlines, police warn of "bad actors" Who are they?  There seem to be so many of them and so many warnings about them.  There seem to be bad actors everywhere now. a person or organization responsible for actions that are harmful, illegal, or morally wrong. While the expression seems recent, Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary traces the first use of “bad actor” to 1901. An 1889 Sanskrit dictionary also includes a definition of the word with the synonyms “wicked” and “a bad actor.” And how does it originate?  From theatre.  It says it is an actor who is unconvincing in their role.   And further uses of it include: "it can be applied to someone who is representing you or your company and making a poor job of it." Expressions seem to coalesce, coming into prominence to grab our attention.  Is is an expression in greater usage now? Is it that there are so many "bad actors" now? It is a more attention-getting headline to call out a person or organization as a bad actor. If you want to find out where all the bad actors are, you are not in luck.  Cybersecurity attackers and political figures may abound, but there isn't a list of where and who they are.  Now when it comes to bad actors in Hollywood, there are dozens of lists.   I wondered further about   how long this expression has been in use.  I went to find its jokes.  There aren't any bad actor jokes. There is a 'bad actor' character improv party game, so that must count for something. This is Skipper, owned by my aquafit instructor, Barb.  She took this picture and I did some work on it in photoshop to improve the light on the face, reduce the background's presence and so on.  He's a cute, photogenic little guy.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Dec 21 2022 - Puppy Under the Christmas Tree

 

That little puppy under the Christmas tree.  CNN has advice for that. Their first piece of advice is that it is not a good surprise.  On the other hand, someone else says that seeing little Spot wriggle out of his wrapping paper can make for a lovely Hallmark moment.   Perhaps the Hallmark movie is a better bet.  These pictures popped up the other day - a demonstration on  "How Cats Rule over Everything".      Today's picture has to be the surprise abstract of the year.  This looks like an ocean beach landscape to me, with the waves on the shore.  The actual object is the entrance sculpture at the Horticulture Garden Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls.  It was a bright sunny day and the sun and clouds were reflecting in the wall.   The second picture shows the wall with the  the Niagara River in the background.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblog.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Jan 19 2021 - Unicorn Thinking

 

What makes us value the Unicorn? It has been in our collective existence since antiquity.  Generally it is white.  It is wild and untameable. A symbol of purity and grace, which could be captured only by a virgin.   There are references to unicorns in the Old Testament of the Bible Thanks to the King John version which turns the re'em into a unicorn.  Both are equally unknown to exist. The unicorn continues to hold a place in popular culture. It is used as a symbol of fantasy or rarity.  It has mostly been co-opted into a feminine character of vivid colours that can be sold as fluffy toys.  So that means there are unicorn movies, games and theme park characters too.  And then don't forget the LGBT  community adopted it along with many other symbols. With uni and corn composing its name, it is perfect for kid jokes: Q: What did the mythical creature serve at his barbecue? A: Unicorn on the cob.   Q: What is the difference between a carrot and a unicorn? A: The first is a bunny feast, the other is a funny beast.   Q: Why do unicorns like silly jokes? A: Because they’re uni-corny.   Q: What street do unicorns live on? A: Mane Street.   Q: What’s black and white and eats like a unicorn? A: A zebra.   Q: Why can you always trust what a unicorn says? A: They’re no bull.   Q: Do they have unicorns at the zoo? A: Yes – they’re just big, grey and called rhinos.   Q: What do unicorn moms bake on Sunday? A: UniCorn muffins.   Q: Why do unicorns listen to polkas? A: They like to hear unicordians.   Q: What do they call the best student at Unicorn University? A: The A-corn.   Q: What do unicorns call their dad? A: Pop corn. And to complete a perfect Unicorn day:  Write some unicorn jokes on little pieces of paper, fold or roll them up, and stick them inside a balloon. Blow the balloon up and tie it off. Play a game of pop the balloon, in which kids sit on a balloon to pop it. When they do, they can read the joke or have an adult read it to them. It’s hilarious! Here is Millie looking so pensive - a typical Cavalier expression.     Purchase at: FAA - marilyncornwellart.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca