Two in Tandem Embroidery

Jinksy organises this challenge here

Image copyright Jinksy

From his vantage point on the mountain peak he looked down on the monastery with its fortified lodge. It once had been an emperor’s stronghold, the mountains behind defying invasion, the flat land before allowing no hiding place. When the last empire collapsed a calmer realm evolved; its peoples, sickened by the old tales of bloodlust and inhumanity, had turned to the gods of nature for direction. The fort became a temple and its priests invoked the spirits of trees and rocks, water and air to temper and guide them.

Years passed and the memories of the old empire faded. The people were content but neither questioned nor wished to progress. For them the turning of the year was a mystery, the passage of day and night even more so. They relied on their priests to ensure that the sun would travel the sky each day and the new order of priests believed that the brilliance of sunrise and sunset indicated a colossal, omnipotent god who must be assuaged if he were to allow his face to be seen each day.

Sandstone slabs were hauled into place by sweating labourers who believed that their priests knew the correct rituals to follow and when they proclaimed that human hearts were necessary to propitiate the Sun God, they were sad but resigned. Each family hoped that it would be spared but as the priests chose so they accepted. So time went on and the new religion took occupancy.

All this he pondered as he gazed on the landscape from his eyrie. The vivid blues and purples contrasted strongly with the lush green of trees and bushes and the silvery stream and meadow flowers. The land was nonetheless powerful and strange, steeped in myth and primeval fears.

The photograph he mailed to his mother was the last she received from him. When she received the news that he had fallen to his death she wept and grieved but took his last image and translated it into embroidery.

Backstitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, lazy daisy, feather stitch – and finally, French knots, which matched her tears as she completed the picture. 

Two in Tandem Harvest

'Two in Tandem' is the brainchild of Jinksy and you'll find more responses to her prompt here.

Graphic copyright Jinksy

On Wednesday I watched the combine harvesters moving noiselessly up and down the fields, dust billowing around them. They were soundless because I saw them through the car window as we travelled back from Portsmouth.

July always seems too early for reaping when schools and churches don’t celebrate Harvest until September or October. Of course, by then the tree fruits are ripe, except for cherries, which have enjoyed their short season in June or July. Strawberries and raspberries have a longer period, though gooseberries seem as short-lived as redcurrants and blackcurrants.

But then, why is Harvest not cause for rejoicing throughout the year? Each month brings forth new delights – sweet violets in winter can thicken soup or add colour and flavour to salads of leaves or fresh fruit. I suppose Harvest is applauded at the time of year when most crops are in abundance. For me, rejoicing in Nature’s bounty is timeless, since I’m not a farmer and don’t rely on cash crops, but the sight of a wheat field, preferably with rich poppies bordering the corn, is beyond measure – a joy to be relished each year, despite the fact that the harvesters always catch me unawares.

However, when the days shorten and the nights lengthen, there is the satisfaction of sweet chestnuts and cob nuts, blackberries, wild mushrooms and sloes. There are always treasures to be garnered, if we look hard enough. 

Two in Tandem #8 Green

Jinksy's 'Two in Tandem' can be found here

 

Image copyright Jinksy

Celadon, chartreuse and jade,

Viridian, khaki and mint,

Olivine, willow and lime,

Avocado, turquoise and pine,

Emerald, clover and teal,

Asparagus, myrtle and moss,

Bottle green, olive and shamrock -

There’s never been a simple green;

Such tones and shades are nature’s paean,

Colours that soothe whenever seen,

In forest, field or verdant dene. 

Two in Tandem #7

Jinksy's 'Two in Tandem' can be found here.

Image copyright Jinksy

(This image reminded me of decorating - rather a banal memory to accompany such a pretty graphic!)

Decorating

Little tester pots of paint,

Very cute and rather quaint -

Dabs of paint adorn my wall. 

In the kitchen, in the hall.  

Can’t decide which one to choose -

Everyone has different views.  

Mine looks good, yours is brighter,

Let’s try this one – it’s much lighter.

Decorating’s quite a chore,

Choosing colours? Such a bore!

Hang it all, this tiresome caper,

Let’s go out and buy wallpaper.