And, once again, time has passed too quickly. It was Edgar Allen Poe who quoted, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” Life is certainly dream-like on many days as we move automatically through our household responsibilities, our workday, and our relationships. I know many others who feel this way, as we have other thoughts, books, paintings, music, and songs running beneath our skin like the melting snow.
Inspired by The Cheeky Celt, I wrote a song/poem for Elen of the Ways. I’m seekikng copyright free music suggestions for the piece.
The great news is that the book magic has returned. I fall in love with writing, particularly when I can sit down, and the story flows.
I understand the snowdrops are blooming at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. I’m so jealous.
The holidays are always fraught with activity. The busyness seems to take over every moment as we plan and execute a fabulous celebration and gifts for friends and family. I love the holidays and their magic. The busyness, not so much, but it’s a swift happening as we slip into the New Year and the throes of winter, so I can’t complain.
When I’m very homesick for Scotland, to close my eyes and remember the time I was there, sort of a visual, waking dream. I do have an ache in my heart for Scotland. Many people don’t understand, and I’m not sure I understand myself, but there is a definite connection.
Perhaps it is because I was raised on Andrew Wyeth’s paintings, with each brushstroke, use of color, and style drummed into me since birth, but I adore the moody, cloudy December days.
It’s December. There’s a difference in the morning light in December. The mornings are now wintry pale with pastel pinks and blues. The Chesapeake Bay gleams metallically, looking cold. But it’s beautiful in a pristine way, devoid of boaters and pleasure seekers. Even the bird community has flown away in the December chill.
The Elen book is a love story to Scotland. The landscapes I viewed on my recent visit are now word paintings in the novel.
I am more spiritual than religious, but this time, I listened to friends and prayed to St. Anthony, finder of lost things.
Today, I lost my journal for The Elen Chronicles. I am in mourning. It was in my hands and in my backpack, but somehow, it fell out. I have a bad habit of not zipping the zipper all the way. I have retraced my steps. No luck. My journals are like friends to me. This…
I am home in Maryland, but as the old song says, “My heart is in the Highlands.”
A little homesick for Maryland, but already grieving leaving Scotland.
We’re channeling David Tennant singing, “I Will Walk 500 Miles” as we march many miles throughout the city.
Sea glassing in Kirkcauldy, bibliomania, and a return to the city of Edinburgh are on tap today.
A sunny Sunday in Cellardyke where we enjoyed this little nook of Scotland.
Instead of barreling to Dundee from Aberdeen, we took the longer, slower road near the coast.
September 18, 2025 – Stars in My Eyes, Gardens in My Heart, and Books to Write Yes, I have stars in my eyes. A 5-star morning at Pitmedden Gardens just outside of Aberdeen. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at Pitmedden who made us feel welcome and kind with my changing into Elen cos-play and…
Another lovely day in Scotland. I’m already sad to think we’ll be leaving next week. Findhorn and Nairn were lovely excursions.
September 17th – Scotland Adventure – Brodie Castle and Beyond We sadly left Cawdor and one of our most favorite stays EVER to hit the road as tourists and continue on the trail to find where my character Elen traveled. First we stopped by Brodie Castle. Lovely place with incredible history and gardens. This is…
Smirr is the Scottish word for a fine, steady rain. It was a Smirr kind of day today.
There’s a bit of a chill to the air the last few days. Autumn has come to the Highlands of Scotland with subtlety and grace.
I time traveled today to the Highand Folk Museum to experience 18th century life.
There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the beauty of Scotland. Every view is like a painting that saturates my eyes with beauty.
Thanks to the fine staff at American Airlines, we arrived in Scotland safely! Our first day’s adventures included Portobello and Musselburgh, UK
The day is here! In the next few hours, we’ll be boarding the plane for Edinburgh, Scotland!
My good friend’s grandchildren count the number of sleeps until an event. James and I have just one more sleep until we head to Scotland. Our bags are packed.
Scotland has also been part of an inner knowing that it is ‘home.’ I had a strong desire to visit the UK, and for many years, I wanted to live there. It was a bit different from being an Anglophile. The UK, and particularly Scotland, have always had a tether to my heart. I remember this from when I was very young with my earliest memories of wanting to be in the UK since I was six or seven.
In a little over two weeks we’ll be flying to Scotland!
There’s an ancient idiom about killing two birds with one stone. Cursory answers state that the idiom comes from more than one place.
Many of us talk about ‘going down the rabbit hole’ or ‘doom-scrolling’ when on social media. There’s a similar effect when one is researching topics. Each bit of information leads to another bit, until you are spinning away in different directions, researching different threads, each one making your research richer.
The research for this book has me head over heels entrenched in 18th-century history, medicine, domestic life, and politics in 18th-century Scotland and America. The more I research, the more I realize (as is often the case with research), the less I know. I could certainly devote a lifetime to learning about the 18th century. Each bit of knowledge adds to the richness of the book.
In researching the 18th century, I’ve been researching what my character Elen would have worn in 1746 Scotland and 1777 America. It’s been an interesting journey. I’ve come to wonder how it would feel to wear the period clothing.
Writing has always been magical for me. I don’t question where the stories come from, but I am extremely grateful they chose me to be their vessel and to write them down. One of my favorite authors, Alice Hoffman, states, “Books may well be the only true magic.”
Rob and I had the opportunity to visit Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata, PA. They had a special tour devoted to the happenings and history at the Cloister during the Revolutionary War. I learned Ephrata was one of the fifteen field hospitals established by General Washington for wounded and ill troops while he was encamped at…
Only 59 days until we leave for Scotland. I continue to research daily. Today, my husband and I are heading to Ephrata, Pennsylvania to Ephrata Cloisters (https://ephratacloister.org). Today is a special tour day that focuses on the Revolutionary times at Ephrata Cloister where a hospital was established after the Battle of Brandywine. I can clearly…
Thus far, it’s been a glorious summer in many ways. I’m working to cherish the peaceful moments I can snag in my garden. There are several places to sit in cooler shade as the sun travels from east to west. Each offers a unique view of the plants.
There are days when I have too many creative ideas swirling around in my head. They swirl around, like a swarm of butterflies, vying for my attention.
Why do bad things happen, or what we perceive to be ‘bad ’? Sometimes the challenges become so overwhelming.
Writing is in my hard-wiring. There’s no escape. And, I wouldn’t want it any other way. The Elen story proves it over and over again, as do the other stories crowding my head. I spend moments in wonder as the Elen story unfolds, and I hope abundantly that I put what’s in my head onto paper to be a beloved read.
Thank you for the recent donations. We’re working hard to make this dream of Scotland and the dream of a book come to fruition. Two helpful books in my research for Elen are: “The Domestic Life of Scotland in the 18th Century” by Marorie Plant and “Agnes Finnie, the Witch of Potterrow Port” by Mary…
The wild strawberry weed (Fragaria virginiana) is the bane of my gardening existence. I’m looking for clever ways to eradicate this menace.
Little by little, bit by bit, books are built like building blocks from a kernel of a story to a wonderful book. While writing, some of the blocks may tumble, files can be lost, sentences scratched out, pages, and chapters deleted.
18th-century Scottish folk tunes are part of my research. Learn more on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHGQ5d3hF7M&list=PLleT9-eySqUh4xwCCTBKpkt7Q29eGyxIv
Thank you so much to Cecil TV for hosting me for an interview about my plans to travel with James to Scotland in September 2025 for hands-on research at Culloden Battlefield, various libraries, and museums all for our forthcoming ‘The Elen Chronicles’. You can view the whole 8 minute interview here: https://www.cecil.tv/videosii/mystery-novelist-sharon-brubaker-seeks-funding-for-research-trip-to-scotland/ Donors can follow…
My grandmother introduced me to Hal Borland’s works as a child. She used to read Borland, almost like a devotional, seeking his wise words on nature daily. His writings show that he is a kindred spirit with his words about nature and the earth. In his book, Sundial of the Seasons, today’s entry states, “The…
Many, many thanks for the recent donations. Here’s a snippet from the book for you to enjoy. Elen remembered the making of her daughter, Helen. It was a warm, Beltane night. She had no sweetie and she felt bereft. Her mother had died at the beginning of spring. Usually being alone didn’t bother her. But,…
The 18th-century American resources are ripe for the picking. There’s an overwhelming harvest of information. It makes me think of the book quote, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be…
Spring is coming. The clouds look like a thin, worn blanket frayed at the edges and have several holes that permit patches of brilliant blue to show.
It’s very November-y today. Leaves carpet the ground in a thick rustling layer, revealing bare branches above. There’s a bite to the air portending future colder days.
I have always been an early riser. I find that I am not alone. There is a morning tribe.
One thing that has impressed James and me about the UK is the focus on sustainability. When we flew from Ireland to Edinburgh, we noticed a variety of wind farms and solar panels on the majority of buildings. As we settle into the culture, we have noticed the national effort on recycling materials. Many restaurants…
My very wise daughter once said that she couldn’t sleep, unless there was an animal sleeping in the house too. The older I become, the more I realize this is true about me as well. I do miss my two-legged family and friends at home, but I also dearly miss my four-legged family. Reggie, my…
Hello! We’re in Bonnie Scotland! I’ll be honest, James and I are ingenues at international travel. We muddled through and arrived safely in Edinburgh, rented a car, drove on the opposite side of the road, and arrived at our first Air BnB destination in Portobello. Portobello is a coastal community on the northern edge of…
Hello everybody! In the coming days, my son and I (James Brubaker) will be going on a journey across the pond and to the might land of Scotland. We are super excited for our trip and since we will see a lot of wonderful things and have many great experiences, I wanted to make sure…
I am honored and grateful to have won the 2023 NERFA Award. I am one of the most recent winner of the Best First Book with my book Tides of Blue. The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award celebrates published romance novels and novellas and is judged by romance readers. Winners are selected from three finalists in…
I owe much of my research skills and plots to other writers, bookstores, and libraries. It is on the wisdom of others that my words make my worlds.
There are days when I want to write, but the ideas and words have walked away from my brain.
It’s one of those days when I wonder about my life purpose, role on this planet, and life itself. I have always thought of people (and I should probably include other organisms in this thought) as being in small bubbles. My theory is that we bump, merge, and break apart in freedom to float through our lives. I
I am enjoying the subtle winter morning light. It’s the calm before the storm. The muted winter color palette has its own gentle glow of insular beauty.
“Her soul belongs to words and books. Every time she reads, she is home.” -Anonymous.
I should tweak this statement to read, “Her soul belongs to words and books. Every time she writes, she is home.”
But there is a peacefulness in this darkness. Most of the world is still asleep, and their dreams fill the atmosphere. It’s a pleasure to drive deep within the night and be at peace.
They say there are plotters and pantsers when it comes to writing. The plotters outline the book carefully and have the novel in place before writing. Pantsers just let the writing flow. I can honestly say that I am betwixt and between the two.
My heart and soul are filled with books and art. I am content. Photo by David Lezcano on Unsplash
New Year’s Eve is my day to celebrate another year around the sun. There is so much to learn and do in 2023. I think every millisecond should be filled.
Happy Holidays a little belatedly. After losing friends and relatives in November, our holiday was quiet and just what was needed. My lovely family knows me well, and books of all kinds were some of my favorite gifts.
Not to be too ‘woo-woo,’ but I think the ancients had an inner knowledge. There is a feeling of lightness, a beginning – literally and figuratively, as we celebrate the festivals of light in the dark winter months.
Words astound me. Books leave me in awe. How is it possible to continue to have wonderful stories written using the words, the very same words, that have existed for thousands of years?
The billowing clouds are a palette of grays kissing the tops of the mountains. It looks like they’re breathing when they move over the top of trees and cast swathes of shadows to the forests below. It’s a dance of light and shadow.
It has been a subdued autumn with muted, quiet colors. The air has turned colder, but we did not have a hard frost to turn on the switch to change the leaves to brilliant, bright hues. The color is there, just quieter, and more at peace with knowing winter is on its way.
There are times when you find the most perfect book to read. It’s like the time your eyes meet when you fall in love, or the perfection of your child, or the crystalline perfection of the sun, water, and sky melding at the horizon. The perfect book for the perfect time is such a gift.
I have no control over purchasing books. The joie de vivre from learning about, purchasing, waiting for them, discovering them, and reading them is a potent drug.
Finishing a book involves a little grief. I liken it to becoming an empty-nester. You have given birth to the idea and story, watched it grow, gave it structure, discipline, and much love before pushing it out of the nest to become a thing of its own.
I can see where the ancients and mystics say the trees talk to them. The sound of leaves is magical.
Pumpkins, warm apple cider by the fire, cinnamon and pumpkin treats, and cozy clothes are no longer distant memories but anticipated events. Each season has its gifts. September gives us daily gifts reminding us of the beauty of the meld of summer’s end and autumn’s beginning.
Summer is fleeing more quickly than an ice cream cone dripping on a sweltering summer’s day. It’s hard to believe it’s the end of August and that we’ll greet September in just a few days
Every story I’ve written was written because I had to write it. Writing stories is like breathing for me; it is my life. Ray Bradbury I agree.
August is a jewel of a month where life is burgeoning and near bursting in the sunshine, saturated days. It’s the month we’re eking out every little bit of summer left before the lusciously cool days of autumn.
My grandmother was a reader. I often saw a book by her favorite living room chair and on her bedside table.
I learned long ago, that I should always have a piece of paper and writing implement nearby. I was looking for a tablet and ran across this passage written at an unknown time. I don’t remember the when, but I do remember the night.
The Liberty Bookshop in Avis, Pennsylvania, is an Air BnB piece of heaven for any bibliophile. Linda Roller, journalist and bookstore owner, is a fantastic host to this amazing place. We returned to The Liberty Bookshop this past weekend for another wonderful visit.
When the story has a hold on you, there is no escape. Tides of Blue is changing and flexing and (hopefully) becoming a better story.
As a group, gardeners are hard workers. We battle weeks and vermin and love to dig in the dirt. There’s something very satisfying to putting plants in the ground and tucking them in. There’s another pleasure in pruning or giving the plants a needed haircut.
Nights begin well. I fall asleep to a favorite audible book, usually tucked in by a dog and a purring cat. I move into sweet dreams. But, sometime after midnight, I wake up. Sometimes, the dog paws frantically to be let into the kitchen for a drink. Other times, it’s a sound or a dream. It’s puzzling magic.
Back in bed, the dog settles in again, groaning happily and putting his head on my legs. The cat snuggles into a warm, purring puddle of fur on the pillow next to me. And I try to sleep. But I can’t.
I have always been fascinated with herbs since childhood. I can blame it on my parents because instead of taking my siblings and me to amusement parks, we always ended up at museums or historical areas. I was entranced with life in earlier times, especially learning how people used herbs in the 18th and 19th centuries.
I am feeling frayed at the seams with grief over senseless death. We lost a young family friend who was only 28 years old yesterday. She was severely autistic. Her language was minimal, but she had the gift of bringing joy to everyone she met. Perhaps, it was her innocence, her special smile, or her…
This spring has been one of the coldest and rainiest in recent memory. My gardening time is limited and has certainly been thwarted by the weather for myself and other gardeners. Each weekend brings cold temperatures and rain. As we are on the brink of June, I wonder if this cooling trend will continue or if we will leap into the fires of a sweltering summer?
It’s a gorgeous spring day and everything seems to celebrate spring! The birds are wild with delight and almost screaming as they cheer their songs to one another. The bees are busily finding every, single, spring blossom and are buzzing in happiness. The frogs croak lazily and are sunning themselves at the edge of the pond.
Writing. Writing is like going into a vortex or a wormhole to a little piece of heaven. I question writing all the time, but when deep in writing, it’s definitely magical. Alice Hoffman (another favorite author) quotes: “A Book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.” When I have finished a book, a bit of the magic wanes until the excitement of crafting and editing fills me to work and re-work and create a better piece
Last weekend, I finished the 5th book in The Green Man Series. Is the story finished?
When the world is dark and quiet, and everyone is asleep, you lie there, jealous of the sounds of the sleeping humans and animals near you. In some ways, you feel lucky to enjoy the peace and solitude of the night. But, you know, later in the day, the gritty eyes, the fatigue, and no time to rest will strike a negative chord in the day.
One of the great pleasures during my career as a librarian and also as a writer is researching. Since the advent of the internet (and yes, I am that old) is that one can spend many an hour wiling away the time by searching and researching a topic of choice. It’s an amazing gift when insomnia wiles its way into the night or if a sliver of interest in something leads me on a merry chase to find more information.
When I am deep inside writing a book, I liken it to being underwater in the deep, deep end of the pool. I struggle to come up for air, but I’m not drowning.
MMSC is turning 44! This excellent organization has been helping marine mammals and sea turtles for 44 years. It’s featured in my book Between Earth and Sea.
It’s a beautiful, late winter morning. The sun is arriving earlier and the sky is brightening every moment luring us into the day. It’s a lazy Sunday and the animals are settled in beside me as I drink my steaming cup of coffee. The glowing fire in the woodstove is keeping us toasty as we look out the window on a chilly morning. The palette of the frost and winter-worn grass is a medley of beige, tan, and brown with sycamore seed pods decorating the grass like polka dots and the brown leaves lying like a paisley pattern.
A free 10-day virtual festival connecting gardeners with the influencers, taste-makers and cutting edge content of today’s gardening world.
Yes. It’s a thing. Writer’s block. But it’s not really a block where everything stops. The author knows the story. It’s there, inside their head and inside their heart. But, sometimes, when we type, an icy death ray freezes our fingers from moving, and our mind goes blank—writer’s block.
I am beginning to prep for the 2022 Delaware Fun-a-Day, where folks sign up to create a piece of art each day for a month. I don’t consider myself an artist most of the time, but Fun-a-Day is a wonderful way to explore creativity and create art daily. I try to make it an opportunity…
We’re having our first ‘real’ winter storm of the season. Our other predicted storms have been a bust. Something’s going to happen tonight. The birds and squirrels were particularly active at the feeder until late afternoon, when all became quiet. Until this recent storm, the Beauty Berries (Callicarpa Americana) have adorned their branches with clumps…
We are in the deep heart of winter. This year, we seem to be having a ‘real’ winter after years of warmer temperatures. The temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic are currently into the teens. The crisp, brisk air is certainly a wake-up call from the unusual warmth of November and December 2021 and recent past years.…
When I retired from education, I had a penchant for butterflies. I told myself, family, friends, and acquaintances that butterflies reflected growth and change. I wasn’t retiring, I said. I was transforming. I was convinced at the time that I was emerging into my true self. It’s been a journey. My life has been changing.…
We live in an aging neighborhood near the Chesapeake Bay. The majority of the residents’ age is over seventy. It’s a special place – an older community. It’s full of groups of friends and acquaintances. Of summer people and year-round residents. Overall, it’s a caring group, at least on the periphery. I’m not sure what…
Christmas has always been a magical time for me since childhood. As the days march along, memories of Christmas past still fill me with wonder in December. I’m sure no one has had an idyllic childhood, but many of my Christmas memories bring me joy. I grew up in the sixties, in a rural, suburban…
It’s the day to bring back the light! There’s a term in Italian “Dara Alla Luce,” which usually refers to giving birth, but translated means to “bring to the light.” The Solstice reflects this. We have endured the dark and are ready to be reborn. There are so very many references to the Solstice, religious…
I read some time ago, an article or chapter, on the benefits of tending to ‘Hearth and Home.’ I enjoyed the language and agree that a ‘Hearth and Home’ day is one of the tickets to feeling grateful and better. We lead such very busy lives. I find it almost satirically comic to wish for…
I can’t stop grinning and feel like shouting “Squee!” every time I think about the Green Man series being picked up by Tivshe Publishing! J.L. Jackola and the team are working their magic to re-edit and repackage the books for publication beginning in either late 2022 or 2023. Tivshe currently has books 1-4 of the…
November is ending. It’s been a lovely month of blustery days, passionate clouds, and leaves dancing to the ground, either swiftly or slow, depending on the wind…
The TBR pile or the “to be read” pile for a bibliomaniac like myself can be problematic. My current TBR pile is now two columns of books waist-high whispering to me beside the bed. Another approximate-foot-high pile was on the bedside table. I say ‘was’ because a hungry imp, also known as Dax, our Siamese…
It’s morning. The pale sun creeps up as winter attempts a coup to the last bit of autumn. The colors of the leaves are muted now, from gold to mustard, brilliant orange to an orange gouache, and flaming red to deep burgundy. The leaves lie on the ground, stripped from the branches that held them…
Our high-functioning autistic daughter told us one time that she couldn’t do a sleepover where there wasn’t an animal breathing in the house. At the time, we shook our heads in disbelief, our hopes of social growth diminishing quickly. She has an uncanny gift with animals and has been dubbed the “animal whisperer” in our…
November is National Novel Writing Month, hence the name – NANOWRIMO. It’s a challenge for all levels of writers. I have found that it’s a great challenge and it gives me a deadline to PRODUCE writing. The 2021 challenge for me is to write the beginning draft of Verdant, the 5th novel in The Green…
I often hear from friends that they hate the month of November. The crisp Autumn air has started to chill. The colorful leaves have fallen to the ground. My friends dislike the monochromatic palette of November, but I am the opposite. I have always felt that November is a passionate month. The clouds are aswirl…
How does one find fairyland? Crawling under bushes and seeking fairies, kissing flowers, or reading a multitude of fairytales? I have tried all of these since childhood…
A little look at Green Man and Green person costumes. Come costume hunting with me as I explore online shop from Etsy and Amazon!
Summer has slipped quietly into autumn, and I have been remiss in not commenting about the Green Man-oriented film Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by A24 films..
I thought the 2020 COVID-19 time of quarantine might be extraordinarily creative. Instead, it’s been a muffled form of grief. Grief? From what? I’m not really sure…
We awoke more than an hour before dawn to see the Eta Aquarid meteor showers purported to have crumbs of Hailey’s Comet zinging through the sky….
The opening quote in a recent post from the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, is from Beau Taplin: ‘The secret is to never lose sight of the simple, everyday miracles in life….”
Learning the online education scene in the last couple of weeks, when educators are trying to swim out of the tidal wave of information and expectations, delayed this news….
We are on the burgeoning of Spring. Each day brings a delightful surprise to something bursting into bloom and a whiff of warmer weather. The cold air still underlies each day….
I am so very anxious to complete A New Leaf, the fourth book in the Green Man Series. The story is seeping from my pores. There’s been a major upset in the plot’s ending….
There are so many books to read. There are so many books to create. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming. It’s not overwhelming in a bad way, not most of the time…
The wheel of the year is turning toward Spring. It’s time to begin again, and welcome life anew. As the new bits of green arise from the soil and branches, as the sharp spikes of daffodils and the beautiful, chaste blossoms of snow-drops grace the landscape, I am ready for renewal and to resurrect this blog again.
“A book too can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding Universe.” – Madeleine L’Engle. I mentioned in a recent newsletter that with the oncoming of spring, ideas have begun to burst after the dormancy of winter. Stories, articles, and art fill every waking moment. I have…
“Why the Green Man?” is a question I am asked constantly at festivals and talks. The Green Man has been on this journey of life with me for a long, long time…
The last few weeks of dire predictions of violence from terrorists and military powers and the natural disasters from wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods…
Whether it’s the original version from Eddie Floyd, or the more recent version from Amii Stewart, the expression to “Knock on Wood”…
Maryland Author Sharon Brubaker is back to blogging in her most recent post…
I’m back in the blog saddle again. Apologies to all my readers for the blog hiatus…
Sharon took a quick break with the family after putting the finishing touches of Between Earth and Sea to visit a live seal at Hershey Park…
The blizzard Jonas has left the Mid-Atlantic covered in a thick blanket of snow. Needless to say, when the groundhog did not see his shadow…
At this holiday time of year, many places of worship have a ceremony for “the hanging of the greens.” There is a bit of mash-up as a new…
My feeble attempts on a blog on the Green Man are clearly outshined by the fabulous and wonderful blog “The company of the Green Man”
A fabulous new cover for Book 1 of The Green Man Series. Special promotion — The Greening is free from April 4th – April 6th, 2014
Happy St. Patrick’s Day — Tis the Wearin’ o’ the Green or Green Man? The famous Irish “Book of Kells” has numerous illustrations of…
When I first became aware that the Green Man was something that was real and not a prickling in the recesses of my imagination…
I had the opportunity to visit the “City of Brotherly Love” today — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA to see Isaiah Zagar’s incredible art…
Surfing the internet, I stumbled across this artist and their rendering of the Green Man by artist Holly Edwards.
Life takes us down funny roads. In a cursory search of interesting and unusual Green Man facts, I found a reference to Ngen-Mawida…
Traditionally May has been a celebratory time for “Jack in the Green.” A “Jack o’ the Green’ epitomizes the Green Man…
Reminiscent of The Leaf Man and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce. A new movie has been created where brave, green…
In the April 8th edition of Time Magazine this photo was posted of men with green faces: The colors on their faces and bodies…
The adventure continues! The second book in the Green Man series, entitled: The Leafing has been uploaded to www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com After solving a grisly local murder the previous year, Sylvia thought her life had settled into a happy and predictable routine. Instead, changes occurred that caused her to doubt everything: her job, her relationships,…
Many thanks to James for finding this Superhero Green Man in the He-Man episode “Orko’s Garden.” The Green Man in this episode is called “Moss Man.” His evil nemesis “Evil Seed.” There are two or three episodes with this Green Man character. Check out this wiki with additional information, and this page for information on his…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Tis the wearin’ o’ the Green for many and only appropriate that there is a post on Irish Green Men. Here is an interesting article regarding Irish and Scottish Green Men: Also, this bit of information is out there on the internet: The Green Man Friday, November 6th, 2009 The Green…
I have been totally fascinated by the Green Man character of Jarilo since learning about Zeleni Jurai. On his website, the author states: “He was a fairly typical life-death-rebirth deity, believed to be (re)born and killed every year. His mythical life cycle followed the yearly life of various wheat plants, from seeding through vegetation to harvest.”…
Found this lovely quote: “Our ancestors said to their mother Earth: ‘We are yours.’ Modern humanity has said to Nature, ‘You are mine.’ The Green Man has returned as the living face of the whole earth so that through his mouth we may say to the universe: ‘We are one.’” on a Facebook Page to the…
Thoughts of the Green Man’s return in the Spring hinge on the peep of snowdrops through the snow, the crocus that bloom in the winter’s sun and the lilt of birdsong that grows greater with each warming day. I ran across this lovely folksong about the Green Man waking in the Spring by Lauren Raine…
Fabulous film snippet of Paul Stamets. Paul Stamets has much wisdom to share in this brief and elegantly beautiful film at: http://www.wimp.com/importantmushrooms/ (Image from: http://www.tellurideinside.com/2011/04/telluride-institute-news-mycowizard-paul-stamets-returns-to-shroomfest-in-telluride.html) This film is from an amazing site: http://www.movingart.tv/screeningroom/ Enjoy!
When discussing the Green Man, conversations often branch out into conversations of the Green Man and trees. Some thoughts turn to the infamous “Ents” in Tolkien lore, tree people and the worshiping of trees. An article on Ents can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ent This is fabulous renditon from: http://lawrencegarcia.org/tolkiens-mythology-the-recovery-of-wonder-for-creation/ents1/ Tree people are a world-wide archetype. Much…
I am happy to announce The Leafing, the second book in the Green Man series has been finished. Editing will commence and it will be uploaded to Amazon and Nook in the next month or so. Thank you for your support!
Tis the season of giving. If you are seeking Green Man related gifts, check out the links below: George Carruth’s classic Garden Smile Green Man and other Nature Faces are available at: [button href=”http://www.carruthstudio.com/categories/Nature-Faces.aspx” icon_size=”12″ animation_delay=”0″ class=”” target=”” color=”red” dimension=”normal” icon=”no-icon” animation=”” animate=”” ][/button] [separator color=”#b5b4b4″ margin_top=”1″ margin_bottom=”5″ style=”single” ] The Greening by Sharon Brubaker…
With the advent of hurricane Sandy and its wild winds along with our usual November gales, leaves have been spiraling down in a whimsical ballet and carpeting the ground with brilliant color. The sound of raking and mowers grinding up the leaves nearly drown out the crunch and swish as one walks through the fallen leaves.…
Here in the US, the Green Man is almost an anomaly. You can find Green Man sculptures in larger cities such as New York and Chicago. Outside of the urban areas, the Green Man is often relegated to garden art and personal collections. It is humbling to see the amazing array of Green Men globally. …
Are you in need of a last minute Halloween costume? If you would like to portray yourself as the Green Man, here are a few sources of Green Man masks: http://www.rainewalker.com/catalog3.htm These are exquisite, one of a kind, leather masks. Etsy.com has a variety of masks from various artists: http://www.etsy.com/search?includes%5B%5D=tags&q=greenman+mask Artist, Larry Wood has created…
Spooks, witches, black cats and ghosts moaning “Oooooooooh!” Soon cries of “Boo!” and “Trick or Treat” will reign the streets. All Hallows eve is coming next week! The hunt for an outstanding costume is reaching a fever pitch. Here are a few Green Man related ideas. Steve Silk put together this blog post in 2008 on natural fashion:http://clattervalleygardens.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-ways-to-wear-plants.html…
Throughout history, the Green Man has remained a mystery. There are many books and sites that discuss why the Green Man is a universal archetype. Luke Mastin has compiled an outstanding site devoted to the Green Man. You can visit the site by following this link: http://greenmanenigma.com/ Check out the gallery of Green Men. It’s…
In my section of the world, the leaves are changing from green to brilliant hues of orange, red and gold. Festivals abound at this time of year and I was lucky enough to find references to an autumn Green Man … otherwise known as “The Berry Man.” Below are some photos and links: from:http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/january/hollyman.html http://www.thelionspart.co.uk/octoberplenty/…
Zeleni Jurij – A Slovenian Green Man I have found a decent translation and explanation of the Slovenian Green Man — Zeleni Jurij and a very interesting music video. The story can be found at: http://sms.zrc-sazu.si/pdf/02/SMS_02_Smitek.pdf on pages 185-186. The book is titled: The Image of the Real World and the World Beyond in Slovene Folk Tradtion…
It’s easy to feel the influence of the Green Man when out of doors. Look at the trees — the shape of green faces in the leaves looking down, the bark on trees having interesting expressions. Nature is alive and well. The Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England have an interesting tale, but also a…
I was surfing around the internet on this blustery, rainy evening on the Eastern coast of the USA amid flood, storm and tornado watches, and found a link for a “Green Man Trail” in Oxfordshire, England: http://www.bejo.co.uk/greenmantrail/html/tradition.html The site has an excellent trail of Green Man through Oxfordshire–history of the Green Man, historic sites, folklore,…
I have struggled to write this post reviewing the recent Disney Film “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” Most critics panned the film, but our family and friends found the film sweet and enjoyable. For those who know about the Green Man and the cyclic nature of birth, death and rebirth, the portrayal in the…
I cannot let the celebration of Star Trek’s anniversary pass by…Congratulations Trek-dom for a fabulous 46 years! http://www.startrek.com/ The only reference to a ‘green man’ is the little green guy who accompanies Scotty in the latest Star Trek film: http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Keenser It’s not quite the Green Man I’ve been blogging about, but I must give nod…
Here’s a new trailer – a mystical, Celtic poem about the Green Man. Please let me know your thoughts.
Surfing the internet I located a really cool site where a young man is protesting nuclear weapons. http://www.gogreenman.com/ Also, there is a Japanese television series Go! Green Man where the Green Man conquers evil. Check out this intro. to the series and enjoy! This is also linked to a Japanese television program titled: Go! Green Man
I’m playing with the Windows Live Movie Maker and created a second trailer for the book. Here’s the new trailer for The Greening: [youtube video_id=”bUSP2GY9IHA&” width=”640″ height=”360″ ] If you happen to be in the vicinity of Wales, check out the Green Man Festival: http://www.greenman.net/
Dear Readers, I am seeking any Green Man or Green George folklore/stories. If you have one to share, please post on the comments or email me at: greenmanseries@gmail.com I thank you. Sincerely, Sharon Check out the article that accompanies the photo above at:http://nyslandmarks.com/treasures/08jul.htm Home Page:http://nyslandmarks.com/treasures/index.htm
Check out the trailer to the book The Greening: [youtube video_id=”f5QhiddP3N0&” width=”640″ height=”360″ ]
Not just any George… He’s not George Washington, George Carlin or George Lucas. He’s “Green George.” If I was politically correct, I would post this blog entry on April 23rd — Green George’s Day or the Christina celebration of St. George. Green George is a Green Man figure from Eastern Europe and Russia. He is the…
[youtube video_id=”6BrwSroSCvE&fs” width=”640″ height=”360″ ] Here is Sean Connery as the “Green Knight” in the film “The Sword of the Valiant.” In the story of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” the Green Knight challenges a young Sir Gawain in a beheading game. This game of life and death in the ancient Celtic poem/play is…
I cannot tell you how amazed and excited I was to see the trailer of Disney’s new film “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” on television yesterday. The Green Man has come to a major motion picture…well, a Green Man of sorts. I need to wait until the movie is released on August 15th, but…
Wonderful youtube.com! Here is a video with Morris Dancers and Jack-in-the-Green on Beltane 2009: [youtube video_id=”XNB3VVSD6Ow&” width=”640″ height=”360″ ] As well as a lovely song about Jack: [youtube video_id=”8VMduKN7qgI&” width=”640″ height=”360″ ] Photo from: http://grumpyvegan.com/blog/2011/05/01/happy-may-day/
One of my interpretations of the Green Man. He’s available at: www.cafepress.com/outinthegarden “Old Sage” is coming soon.
Another guise of the Green Man is “Jack-in-the-Green.” The Jack-in-the-Greens date back to the 16th and 17th centuries in Britain where elaborate garlanded men would lead May celebrations. In recent times, Jack-in-the-Greens lead Morris Dancers in celebration and at Maypoles. Jack-in-the-Greens traditionally celebrate Spring and the Straw Bears, winter. One of my favorite interpretations of Jack-in-the-Green…
Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! Our family has very fond memories of attending birthday parties for Harry at the former Borders Books and Music. But, I digress. What does Harry Potter have to do with the Green Man? Actually, there isn’t a connection, but there is a great set in the movies that is adorned with…
How exciting to watch the opening ceremonies to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London! Even more exciting was seeing the Green Man commercial by Dow Corporation! Check it out here if you have not had a chance to see it: http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dow-chemical-olympics-2012 Hey, was that Sylvia waving from the one window in the commercial? Amazing! …
Green Men are a favorite venue for garden art. My family and I are always on the hunt for Green Men. Once we found a fountain (which, in truth, was extremely ugly) with Green Men all around. Many are portrayed as Dionysis. George Carruth is one of my favorite sculptors of “Nature Faces.” He has…
The Green Man is a universal archetype. Throughout history he has had different guises and many names. Buddha is considered to be a Green Man as he was born in a tree. Osiris, Adonis, Dionysis, Al Khidr are also Green Men. More contemporary Green Men are Robin Hood, the May King and even the Jolly…
I am an animal lover and adore our two Siamese in our menagerie of animals. An interesting Green Man fact is that there are actually Green Cats! I first learned of this via Mike Harding many years ago [http://www.mikeharding.co.uk/greenman/] and found a terrific site that covers Green Cats and Green Dogs more in depth: http://www.green-man-of-cercles.org/articles/green_cats_and_dogs.pdf…
Dearest Reader, (and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading the book: The Greening as well as this blog.) I have a question for you, dear reader. I am working steadily on the second book in the Green Man series –tentatively titled: The Growing. Do you like the murder sooner than later…
Revisiting Terri Windling’s articles and site, gives me pause to wonder and wander through her wise words. A quote from fantasy artist Patricia McKillip from the Endicott Studio site: “‘At its best,’ she says, ‘fantasy rewards the reader with a sense of wonder about what lies within the heart of the commonplace world. The greatest…
One of my favorite authors, Terri Windling (author of The Wood Wife [my long time favorite book of hers] and many other fine books) edited a series of short stories with different aspects of the Green Man several years ago (see: http://www.amazon.com/Green-Man-Anthology-Mythic-Forest/dp/B003F76FMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340191170&sr=8-1&keywords=green+man+windling). She also has an outstanding treatise of art and philosophy on her Endicott…
I just ran across this artist — Ryszard Zarebski in the UK. He has an amazing Green Man painting that is closer than many to my imaginings for the book series. Enjoy! http://rysart.co.uk/gallery/
The Green Man series is a trilogy of books revolving around Sylvia Ash, a young woman who meets the great, green enigma of The Green Man. In the series, Sylvia learns that she is part of the great pattern with the Green Man as a guide. Each book contains murder, mystery, romance and a touch of…
