Sharry Wright, an artist from San Francisco, based her collage on 3 pieces of folklore:
If going on a journey it is very unlucky to see a weasel. One should turn back, or he will have no luck that day
It is unlucky to meet a red-haired woman when going on a journey
However!
It is unlucky to turn back when going on a journey
A crowing hen should not be sold or killed. She should be left at a cross-roads. She will bring misfortune about any place she is. The same applies to a whistling woman.
There’s strength in unity
Brenda painted this painting originally as a support for the staff at Lancaster General Hospital during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Titled ‘My Refuge’, Brenda’s work can be purchased on her website as an 8×10 print and in packs of 3 note cards.
by Chuck Kramer, Chicago U.S.A.
Ideas are sparks of creativity
leaping from the fire of imagination
and sometimes shower the thinker
with jingling coins
but beware the sparks—
they may burn what they touch
leaving fingers scorched and scarred
as smoking thoughts drift off
over a pocket full of bitter ash
by Áine Leddy, New York
The cows were dry again this morn
Those fairy mischiefs doing their worst
With guilt and shame I was torn
My whole clan would feel the thirst
The spancel should have been installed
Before I closed my eyes to sleep
But I had milking churns to scald
And left gap open to fairy leap
I will do better I decided
In the duel with the little man
My efforts would not be derided
No more empty milking can
So move along you little louse
No more free milk around this house
Áine based her poem on the folklore “Fairies sometimes milk cows. To prevent this tie a hair spancel in the cow gap.”
Sharry based her collage on a combination of four pieces of folklore:
A frog coming to the door is a sign of marriage in the family
If a girl’s apron takes fire in front it is a sign of marriage
Two spoons given in cup signify an invitation to a wedding
Some mothers cut the sign of the Cross with tongs held in left hand three times over the head and three times at the feet of a girl going out to be married
by Ferdia Davies, age 8, New York
Press ‘play’ to see Ferdia’s animation on the folklore “Immediately after a baby is born unsalted butter should be placed in its mouth.”
Ruadhan Davies (10) lives in New York, U.S.A. Ruadhan based his comic on the folklore piece “A crowing hen should not be sold or killed. She should be left at a cross-roads. She will bring misfortune about any place she is. The same applies to a whistling woman.”
