Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Friday, March 14, 2008

A Book MeMe


Quite a while ago Cate at Beyond The Fields We Know tagged me for this Meme so I thought it was about time I actually got round to doing it.

The rules for this meme are:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

I turn to page 123, and count down as the meme instructs me to do, and I find these words:

It was there,where it went wandering away into the blue-hazed distance between gentle slopes scattered everywhere with relics of a forgotten age (fragments of old roads,odd entrenchments, a sunken barrow or two and in-numerable shards and flints)that we bade it goodbye.

. . . . .

Our Roman road had brought us many delights along its varying course. It was November: "No-warmth,No-light, November," as the poet put it.


This is taken from an old book called 'No Road Runs By' written by Beryl Netherclift and published in 1935. The area described is the South Downs. I'm not going to tag anyone but feel free to do this Meme if you want to. The photo at the top is a Southdown sheep taken when I was in Sussex last year.

26 comments:

rel said...

Rowan,
No-vember? Hmm, I'll have to conger up a post for that one. I'd never heard it, though that in itself isn't uncommon!
rel

PAT said...

This is beautiful, Rowan.

Pat

Paula said...

Rowan,

It's so good to read your journal again. Due to your Jan 19 entry on Eyam and the responses to it I read Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Just a few weeks after your entry I found a copy in perfect condition at a used book sale! I might have passed it by had you not written about the Plague village. The images from your entry brought further depth to the book. I highly recommend this book and for those who may be new to Rowan's blog, go back to read that entry earlier this year.

Anonymous said...

I have so enjoyed the books you read! I have also enjoyed the comments from your readers!

Thanks,
Linda Brown

Sheila said...

I imagine lots of lambs are skipping and jumping in the fields about now.
The passage from your book still holds true doesn't it. I am eagerly awaiting another series of Time Team, so I can see what is hidden not too far below the surface of those lovely green fields over there..
xx

Linda G. said...

Another book for my wish list. I've had trouble finding many of the titles you mention, but absolutely loved Agatha Christie's 'Come, Tell Me Where You Live':)
I raised a lamb on a bottle once, a sweet little fellow named Fred.

virtual nexus said...

Hi - just called in via Elizabeth; had a scroll back and enjoyed your Eyam post - haven't been there for years; and the WW2 one - I ghosted a veteran's memoir a few years ago and found it a fascinating experience.
Nice meme post - I have one to do on that at some time!

Ragged Roses said...

That sounds like a great book, as you know I love the South Downs. Hope you all have a wonderful and Haooy Easter weekend
Kimx

Anonymous said...

Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter, Rowan!
xo,
Lynda

Kim said...

Lovely post, Rowan, and I do like the little ewe, so cuddly and contented in her grassy bed :)

Hope you have a joyful holiday weekend.

Kim x

Anonymous said...

That piece of text sounds great. It must be a lovely book to read.
Have a great day !!!

Anonymous said...

What an interesting meme - the book sounds interesting indeed. Sorry I've been lax with posting comments but it's something I hope to rectify. I hope you had a lovely Easter and I very much hope the weather calms down a bit, it's been far too windy and snowy here!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I did this meme a long time ago and enjoyed it.

meggie said...

I have done this meme 3 times! I usually have 4-6 books reading all at once.
I feel sorry for the fallen trees of your last post. No spring for them.
Miss Kaitlyn is delightful!!
The Bump jumper is lovely.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rowan, lovely photo of the South Downs sheep and it sounds like an inteesting book...I've not heard of it.
Margaret and Noreen

Grand Life said...

Just discovered your lovely blog. Your pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Judy

Julie said...

Hi, Rowan,

I was so happy to hear from you and to learn that you plan to return to regular blogging soon. I have missed you so much!

You must be experiencing spring in Yorkshire too, seeing as how Leanne is in Somerset. Or, perhaps you are a bit behind, as northern ND is in being about a week behind southern ND.

I am sure, however, that both of you are ahead of me in observing actual spring occurrences.

Mary said...

Dear Rowan - I noticed you popped up on Julie' blog so had to say hello again and let you know how much I'm missing you!

I hope so much that all is OK, especially with your husband's health. I've checked back often but keep seeing those woolly sheep, lol!!! Do come back to us soon.
In friendship - Mary.

PAT said...

Dear Rowan...stopping by again this evening. Hope all is okay. My thoughts are with you!

Pat

Miss Robyn said...

just coming by to say hello.. I am on a blogging break but still think of you quite often xo
hope all is ok with you xo

Grand Life said...

So many interesting items on this blog. Old english town and cementery and WW II items. I'm just finishing up transcribing my fathers WWII letters to his family. Very interesting history.
Very well done.
Judy

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Just dropped by to say hello. Hope all is well with you and yours. Fond regards, Lynda

Strawberry Lane said...

What a fascinating quotation ... sounds like a warm and wonderful book.

Love the sweet Southdown sheep. Had one years ago that would ride in the car with me and walk on a leash. How precious she was.

And how charming your photograph!

Bonnie said...

Hello Rowan,

I have just discovered your blog - how absolutely awesome. I plan to spending many evening here in the future. With your permission, I will post your blog on my site, http://mydanceoflife.blogspot.com.
Nadie

Anonymous said...

Rowan, where have you gone to?

pythonesk99 said...

Well, here's my contribution to the meme. The book is also by Beryl Netherclift. It's called "Castle Steep" or "The Mystery at Castle Steep". It was published in 1970 and is a book for kids 10-12 years old. Unfortunately, the passage is dialogue.

"Feeling my in pocket I dragged out the brown shoe. 'Look, Paradise - this is yours. It's broken but it will be better than nothing.' I glanced down at her feet and saw that she still wore the other one."

Laurel