SOURLAND
My love for Jared is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m very aware, just like winter changes the trees. My love for Hadley is more like the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. - Caroline Earnst
Bluetooth, The Builder King
Harald was known as “Bluetooth” probably because of a discolored tooth, but no one knows for sure.
Stone “ships” were often built by Norsemen because they liked to represent their sea-faring culture by arranging large stones in the outline of a Viking ship.
Ismail al-Jazari, the Father of Robotics
Ismail al-Jazari was just as important an inventor as Leonardo da Vinci.
Baron Hugo Gifford, Wizard of Goblin Hall
Hugo loved to practice magic in his special place under the castle.
“Hugo! Are you casting spells again?” Johanna complained.
There were many more Vikings than Scotsmen when they met on the shore at Largs.
As brave knights fought, Sir Hugo waved his parchment filled with magical symbols wildly above his head.
Hugo ate heartily that night and told his family all about the Battle of Largs and King Alexander’s victory over the King of Norway.
The Coulston Pear
“I climbed into your arms when I was a boy,” Hugo whispered to the old tree.
“Your wisdom and my magic will make this pear the best gift of all,” Hugo told the tree.
As Hugo and Margaret made their way along the path they passed strange trees and odd shapes in the woods.
Margaret had a special silver case made for the pear and warned George’s family.
Elizabeth Key of Jamestown
Elizabeth was losing hope of freedom. It was a sad time for her.
Isle of Devils
The story that monsters and devils lived on the island of Bermuda was told by Spanish sailors who had visited the island and heard eerie cries at night.
But, Sarah was still afraid every night.
In his hands John held a very calm bird that he had lifted from its nest.
Molly’s Chickens
Molly is a chicken farmer.
He helps Molly with all of the feed bags and hay bales.
Scientists say that modern birds evolved from certain dinosaurs.
Some animals of the Triassic period looked like this.
Photograph by Michael Mancuso
Chicken farmer Molly sells her chickens’ eggs to her neighbors.
A rose-breasted grosbeak from the forest once landed on Joe’s arm!
Molly’s chickens are the happiest chickens on the entire Sourland Mountain.
Do you wonder what personality this chick will have?
Real Friends and Their Children
I had a very close call once after he became a man and left home. His mom gathered me up with other things that he no longer needed – to be thrown away!
Luckily, my boy came home and discovered me.
My girl took me to school every day until her teacher told her she had to leave me home. She said I was bringing germs to school, but I think she was concerned that I was too attached to my girl.
Later, his mom and dad lived in different houses. When the boy went to his dad’s house every weekend, I got to go too.
I was always able to be with him. That made my boy feel good. It made me feel good, too.
Growing up, my girl thought I was a bear and loved me very much, and I loved her just as much.
When she was grown she was told by a friend that I was a dog.
My girl was surprised, but realized it was true. How funny!
Some of his friends said that I was a girl toy.
My boy had never heard that idea before. He felt embarrassed and put me back in his bag.
We held each other extra tight that night.
Jenny’s Horse
That night, Grandpa looked around his old house. So many things were in it from so many years of living.
Father’s record player.
Great grandmother’s sewing machine.
Mother’s china.
Aunt Nancy’s “bear paw” quilt.
Uncle Henry’s old medicine bottle collection had hung on Grandpa’s bathroom wall ever since he could remember.
© 2024 Mary D’Amore, All Rights Reserved