Tuesday, January 6, 2015

One Swallow Does Not A Summer Make ...

"One swallow does not a summer make, nor one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy."  Apparently it was Aristotle who said this, which rather surprised me as I had supposed it must be a much more recent proverb, perhaps from Victorian times. 

Whoever said it, I am here to tell you that they were wrong!  My summer has been made wonderful by the gift of this beaten copper swallow (crafted in Africa, no less) which will grace some part of Shoestring Cottage. 


It was presented to me by that wonderful Mrs Peaceable and I was bowled over by such a thoughtful and felicitous gift.  How did she know swallows are my favourite?  Well, apparently it is fairly obvious and thinking back I realise there are a fair few clues to my partiality. 


 Hanging in windows
 Decorating plates
 Adorning quilts
 And doilies

And yet more doilies

Even on jewellery such as a favourite brooch and a bracelet.  



Sometimes when we think we are opaque it turns out that we are at our most transparent!
But thank you so much Mrs Peaceable for the perfect gift, treasured and always much appreciated. And to be able to give a perfect gift to a friend sometimes is almost as pleasurable as to receive it, because how clever are you to accomplish that?