Earth's Creatures Stop to Smell the Flowers

Spring often means it is time for you & your pet to explore the great outdoors. But before you & your furry best friend stop & smell the spring flowers, make sure they are not toxic. If you suspect your pet has ingested or been in contact with the plants below, call Pet Poison Helpline ASAP & then contact your veterinary team to keep them updated on the situation.

See Toxic & Non-Toxic Plant List - Dogs     https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/dogs-plant-list

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats     https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/cats-plant-list

These services provide immediate expert advice, and include consultation with your veterinarian if needed. Follow-up of the case is also included, if needed.

Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA): 888-426-4435

Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661

When Jesus is Born, Angels Tell the Shepherds 1st Illuminated Manuscripts

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds who are making music while the dog howls and the woman works with the wool. Sheep and their tenders are in an enclosure.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds who include a woman and a man getting dressed.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds Bean MS1 - Folio 45l Shepherds here include a woman.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds Bean MS2 - Folio 75l Shepherds with their dogs and pipes.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds comes from a 15th-century Flemish Book of Hours of Glencairn Museum (07.MS.639). Shepherds & their dog looking up at the angels.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Folio 52r from Les Belles Heures du Duc de Berry. The shepherds sleeping when told them of the birth of Jesus. Van Limburg brothers 1375 – 1416 The dog in this image is resting.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds from a French Book of Hours (c.1425-50) The woman works with the wool while the dog looks up at the angels.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds from Prayers (England, S. E. (St Albans), c1240) Arundel 157 f.3v.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds London BL - Royal 2 B VII fol-112

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds These shepherds are warming themselves by a fire while their dog rests.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds Simon Marmion (circa 1425–1489) Shepherds complete with dog and pipes.

Illuminated Manuscript - Annunciation to the Shepherds, book of hours (Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevive in Paris. This image shows another female tending the sheep.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Here a woman, two dogs, and three shepherds are visited by angels.

Illuminated Manuscript  Annunciation to the Shepherds

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Another dog and shepherds playing pipes rest while sheep are in an enclosure.

Illuminated ManuscriptAnnunciation to the Shepherds 15C Book of Hours.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Gavin Hill MS 1 - Folio 57v-l Here the shepherd's dog seems to be intrigued by the angel.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Book of Hours of Henry VIII Here the gentlemen play their pipes, while the astounded woman gazes upward.

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds MS6, Syracuse University Library

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Royal 1 D X f.1v

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds

When Jesus is Born, Angels Tell the Local Shepherds 1st

 

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds of the Birth of The Christ Child  

Bean MS2 - Folio 75l Shepherds with their dogs and pipes.

One of my favorite Christmas stories is the angels being sent to announce to the lowly shepherds the birth of the baby Christ child. Whom did the angels tell first? The community's outcasts, including some women working with the wool, who lived in the countryside year-round with dogs & sheep. And Mary welcomed them to visit her new baby. Only later did the important nobles arrive. The common man came first, and these lovely little illustrations imagine the stunned herders hearing the news.

1578 Thanksgiving in The Americas - Newfoundland

Sir Martin Frobisher, English mariner, privateer, explorer (born c 1535-1594)

In 1578, English explorer Martin Frobisher landed in what is now Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, as part of his quest to locate the fabled Northwest Passage. Before the Europeans arrive, First Nations across Turtle Island had traditions of thanksgiving for surviving winter & for receiving crops & game as a reward for their hard work. These traditions appear to include feasting, prayer, dance, potlatch, & other ceremonies, depending on the native peoples giving thanks.

In response to his safe travels to the Great White North, over 4 decades before the Plymouth Colony celebration, Frobisher & his men held a service of thanks. "Frobisher, an English explorer in the uncharted northern territories, organized the 1st religious Thanksgiving for his crew & early Canadian settlers as a way to take stock of all they had accomplished in a short time." 

During his 1578 voyage to Baffin Island to set up a new English colony, Frobisher's ships were scattered. At Frobisher Bay, the explorer was happily reunited with his fleet, & all who had survived the storms honored their reunion with a day of thanks.

Martin Frobisher, mariner, explorer, 3 three voyages from England to the “New World” in search of a passage to Asia. He failed, but he was the 1st European to discover the bay that is named for him & returned with tons of dirt that he thought contained gold. Each expedition was bigger than the preceding one & on his 3rd, in 1578, he commanded a flotilla of 15 ships & more than 400 men. They set sail on 31 May for Baffin Island, where they intended to establish a gold mining operation & the 1st English colony in North America. On 1 July, they sighted Resolution Island, but they were driven by storms across the entrance to Hudson Strait. The fleet was dispersed & one ship, which carried their prefabricated barracks, was sunk by ice. Another ship deserted the flotilla & sailed back to England. 

The remaining ships assembled at the Countess of Warwick’s Island, which is known today as Kodlunarn Island, a tiny speck of land in Frobisher Bay. They established 2 mines on the island & set up shops to test the ore from other mines. The mine sites & the ruins of a stone house are still clearly visible.  

Vicious storms blew the fleet around Hudson Strait for most of July & when they finally assembled at their anchorage in Frobisher Bay, they celebrated Communion & formally expressed their thanks through the ship’s Chaplain, Robert Wolfall, who “made unto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankefull to God for theyr strange & miraculous deliverance in those so dangerous places” (Richard Collinson, The Three Voyages of Martin Frobisher: In Search of a Passage to Cathaia & India by the North-West, Cambridge University Press, 2010).

Frobisher sailed for Elizabeth I, whose reign was marked by public acts of giving thanks. Elizabeth expressed her gratitude for having lived to ascend the throne, for delivery from the Spanish Armada and, in her last speech to Parliament, for her subjects.  

The 1st known use of the word “Thanksgiving” in English text was in a translation of the bible in 1533, which was intended as an act of giving thanks to God. The tradition of gratitude was continued each fall as people gave thanks for the harvest that would see them through the winter.

Forty-eight years later on November 14, 1606, inhabitants of New France under Samuel de Champlain held huge feasts of thanksgiving between local Mi’kmaq & the French. Though not known at the time by the settlers, cranberries, rich in vitamin C, are credited with helping avoid scurvy. The neighbouring Mi’kmaq likely introduced the French to cranberries, or as they called them, petites pommes rouges (little red apples).

Champlain’s feasts were more than an annual affair. To prevent the scurvy epidemic that had decimated the settlement at Île Sainte-Croix in past winters, the Ordre de Bon Temps (Order of Good Cheer) was founded, offering festive meals every few weeks. Medical treatises recommended better nutrition (more food) & entertainment to combat scurvy.

However, despite this history of uniquely Canadian thanksgivings, modern concepts of Thanksgiving were influenced by the American neighbors to the South. Foods that are associated with a “traditional” Thanksgiving, such as North American turkey, squash, & pumpkin, were introduced to citizens of Halifax in the 1750s by the United Empire Loyalists, who continued to spread this “traditional” fare to other parts of the country.

See

Bicheno, Hugh. Elizabeth's Sea Dogs. Conway, 2014.

Brigden, Susan. The Penguin History of Britain. Penguin, 2001.

Courtauld, Augustine. From the Ends of the Earth: An Anthology of Polar Writings. Oxford University Press, 1958

Elton, G.R. England Under the Tudors. Routledge, 2018.

Ferriby, David. The Tudors. Hodder Education, 2015.

Guy, John. Tudor England. Oxford University Press, 1988.

Wagner, John A. Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World. Greenwood, 1999.

Williams, Neville. The sea dogs. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1975.

Inadvertently Sharing the Harvest - 1600s Food for hungry dogs, cats, monkeys, squirrels, & a random parrot

Adriaen van Utrecht (Flemish Baroque Era Painter, 1599-1652) Still Life with Dog and Monkey (and parott) 1644

Unknown Dutch artist, The Cat's Meal. 1625-50

Frans Snyders (Dutch artist, 1579-1657) Monkeys Stealing Fruit

Adriaen van Utrecht (Flemish Baroque Era Painter, 1599-1652) Still Life with Dog and Cat (and squirrel)

Frans Snyders (Dutch artist, 1579-1657) Still Life with Lobster, Poultry, & Fruit (and cat!)

Giuseppe Recco (Italian, Neapolitan, 1634–1695) Cat Stealing Fish

Balthasar van der Ast (Dutch Baroque painter, 1593-94–1657) Still Life with Macaws 1622

The Angels' Annunciation to The Local Shepherds is 1st

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation To The Shepherds By Meister Der Reich.Shepherds South Cross, County Tipperary, Ireland. 8C

One of my favorite Christmas stories is the immediate announcement to the common shepherds, in fields near Bethlehem, of the birth of the Baby Christ Child.  That annunciation emphasized the symbolism of Jesus' birth.  Whom did the angels tell first? The community's outcasts, including some women working with the wool, who lived in the countryside year-round with dogs & sheep. And Mary immediately welcomed them to visit her New-Born Baby. Only later did the important; wealthy nobles from the East arrive. The common man came first, & these lovely little hand-drawn manuscript illustrations imagine the stunned herders hearing The Good News.

The annunciation to the shepherds in the Christian Bible, is in verses 8–20 of the 2nd chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Shepherds are portrayed tending their flocks out in the countryside near Bethlehem, when they are terrified by the appearance of an angel. The angel explains that it is a message of good news for all people, "Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths & lying in a manger."

After this, a great many more angels often appear, praising God with the words "Glory to God in the highest heaven, & on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Deciding to do as the angel had said, the shepherds travel to near-by Bethlehem, & find Mary & Joseph with the infant Jesus lying in the manger, just as they had been told. The adoration of the shepherds follows.

It is generally considered significant that this message was 1st given to shepherds, who were located on the lower rungs of the social ladder. 

The annunciation to the shepherds appeared as a subject for art in the 9th century, & it became less common as an independent subject in art from the late Middle Ages, but depictions continued in later centuries. 

In Renaissance art, drawing on classical stories of Orpheus, the shepherds are sometimes depicted with musical instruments. Actually, many Christmas carols mention the annunciation to the shepherds, with the Gloria in Excelsis Deo being the most ancient. 

Phillips Brooks'(1835-1893) "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (1867) has the lines "O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, / And praises sing to God the King, & peace to men on earth!" The originally German carol "Silent Night" has "Shepherds quake at the sight; / Glories stream from heaven afar, / Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!" 

Charles Wesley's (1707-1788) "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (1739) begins:

Hark! The herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, & mercy mild,

God & sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic host proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Anglo-Irish poet & lyricist, Nahum Tate's (1652-1715) carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" (1700) is entirely devoted to describing the annunciation to the shepherds, & the episode is also significant in "The First Nowell", "Angels We Have Heard on High," & several others.

The carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) during the American Civil War, reflects on the phrase "Peace on earth, good will to men" in a pacifist sense, as does "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear."

The phrase "Peace on earth, good will to men" has been widely used in a variety of contexts. For example, Samuel Morse's (1791-1873) farewell message in 1871 read "Greetings & thanks to the telegraph fraternity throughout the world. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will to men. – S. F. B. Morse."

More recently, Linus recites the scene verbatim at the climax of Charles M Schultz (1922-2000) A Charlie Brown Christmas, explaining that "that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

When Jesus is Born, Angels Tell the Local Shepherds 1st

Illuminated Manuscript Annunciation to the Shepherds Folio 52r from Les Belles Heures du Duc de Berry. The shepherds were sleeping in the field when angels appeared and told them of the birth of Jesus.Van Limburg brothers 1375 – 1416 The dog in this image is resting.

One of my favorite Christmas stories is the annunciation to the lowly shepherds of the birth of the baby Christ child. Whom did the angels tell first? The community's outcasts, including some women working with the wool, who lived in the countryside year-round with dogs & sheep. And Mary welcomed them to visit her new baby. Only later did the important nobles arrive. The common man came first, and these lovely little illustrations imagine the stunned herders hearing the news.

1600s Music Indoors + Eating, Courting, Drinking & Dogs by Dutch artist Gabriel Metsu 1629-1667

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Young Woman Composing Music with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Cittern Player with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) A Musical Party


Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Virginal


Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) A Woman Seated at a Table with Cello & Man Tuning a Violin (with dog) c 1665 with attending dog...


Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era painter, 1629-1667) Music Lesson

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Breakfast 1660 with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Lady Seated in a Window

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Portrait of the Artist with His Wife Isabella de Wolff in a Tavern

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Soldier Paying a Visit to a Young Lady with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Tavern Scene

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Feast of the Bean King (a Twelfth Night tradition)

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Hunter and a Woman with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Hunter's Gift with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Prodigal Son

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Sick Child

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Sick Girl

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Sleeping Sportsman with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Tippler (The Wine Drinker)

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) The Visit to the Nursery with attending dog...

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Visit of the Physician with attending dog...

Gabriël Metsu (1629-1667) was trained as a painter in his native Leiden but spent the last part of his career in Amsterdam. Most of his output consists of genre paintings which reproduce in a direct & simple way the life of the Dutch middle classes in the 17C.

Gabriel Metsu (Dutch Baroque Era Painter, 1629-1667) Self Portrait

Note: Because Metsu included details of rooms and landscapes in his paintings, most of these works are details.