Back again.
On the new laptop and after a busy few days with visitors....Eldest Daughter, Eldest Grandson (6 and a bit) and Youngest Grandson (10 months).
Yes, the Computer shop set up the computer with a new search engine and I took my camera disc so they loaded that too as this lap top has nowhere for a CD - apparently they don't anymore. My old laptop had separate right/left click buttons - this one doesn't which confused me for a minute.
Then I had to track down passwords to put all my favourite things back for easy finding. It's nice to be able to type a row of words and actually having a space bar that makes a space between them - which recently my old laptop didn't always do.
Eldest daughter managed to find a way of loading photos from my new phone to this laptop, I'd tried everything to do it on the old laptop without success.
So all is well until the time comes that I need a new camera!
One of the months and letters of the alphabet that got missed when I had a year writing about the trees in the Ogham Tree Alphabet through 2020/21 was The Hazel - standing for the letter C, the number 9 and ruling the 9th month from August into September.
In Irish Legend, Connla's well was overhung by nine Hazel trees which
contained all the knowledge of the arts and sciences to those who ate
them (Connla was one of the Celtic Dieties in Irish Mythology).
When nine nuts fell into the well they were eaten by a salmon, which developed nine spots as a symbol of the knowledge. The salmon was then cooked by Fionn, the son of the chief Druid's daughter for the Chief Druid to eat . Fionn was forbidden to eat the fish but when he burnt his thumb on the hot fish, he sucked it to ease the pain and stole the wisdom by accident.
From the book 'Discovering the Folklore of Plants' by Margaret Baker..............
The Celtic world treated hazel as a holy tree. Its nuts were connected with poetry, knowledge, love, fertility and childbirth. In the Scottish Highlands hazel was one of the nine sacred woods used in kindling needfire at Beltane. (Need-fire, or Wild-fire, a fire caused by friction is a term used in folklore to denote a superstition which survived in the Scottish Highlands until a recent date.)
The Celtic world treated hazel as a holy tree. Its nuts were connected with poetry, knowledge, love, fertility and childbirth. In the Scottish Highlands hazel was one of the nine sacred woods used in kindling needfire at Beltane. (Need-fire, or Wild-fire, a fire caused by friction is a term used in folklore to denote a superstition which survived in the Scottish Highlands until a recent date.)
Hazel Dowsing rods have long been used to find underground water. This
was something that worked for Colin easily - yet never for me.
I've been watering my new Red Hazel tree regularly but it still looks sad from lack of rain but too much heat. One day I hope it will be as huge as the one in BiL's garden. I gave a squirrel-sown seedling to Mum in Law way back in the late 90's and now the tree is a giant which Brother in Law moans about each year when he has to trim it back!
Despite enjoying writing it was quite nice to have a short blogging break, posting 6 days every week can get quite time consuming. I've decided to cut down a little on blog time so sometimes I might say "Back Tomorrow" or I might say "Back in a While".
This time I have something in drafts so.....................................
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I could never dowse either Sue but it was always interesting to watch someone dowse for water. A friend could even dowse for old Roman foundations underground. Understand what you mean about constantly blogging it becomes a chore after awhile.
ReplyDeleteI reckon I'm too sceptical for dowsing to work!
DeleteI do love writing the blog but it all takes time . I'll see how it goes
Welcome back! I've never dowsed or tried to but it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteColin could do it with bent wires from a coat hanger!
DeleteI write more blog posts than I publish these days. I get to the end and think I won't bother to publish it! Then I go out!
ReplyDeleteI have a new phone, which took me step by step on how to transfer all my stuff, but as you say it's the passwords which take the time.
ReplyDeleteThe new lap top is so quick - the old one was clogged up with junk (and dust!)
DeleteI can dowse. A gang of us cousins were trying when we were children, and I was the only one who could do it. Not a skill that I've ever had use for however!
ReplyDeleteIf the drought continues it might come in handy!
DeleteI think it's just a coincidence that my MiL who was born in September was called Hazel.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a lovely time with your daughter and grandchildren and she came in useful sorting your new laptop out.
The two Hazels I know were born in March and November - so no connection there either
DeleteDowsing is a mysterious skill. It seems some people can simply do it. I wonder if body chemistry is at work.
ReplyDeleteGreat that your new laptop is set up and all your photos saved. Post when you can-I always enjoy reading what you write. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteMy grandfather dowsed and when I married my city boy husband, who never heard of dowsing to my grandparents farm my grandfather showed him dowsing. My husband took the dowsing stick and could do it! I have tried and tried and was never able to. My grandfather laughed and was a bit in shock I think that this city boy would have the gift.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Isn't it strange that some people can and others can't
DeleteGlad your laptop is all set up. I've heard of dowsing, never tried though, just don't think I would be good at it hahaha
ReplyDeleteIt either works or it doesn't I think
DeleteA new laptop or computer does take a period of adjustment! Sounds like you are adapting quite well! That's great!
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been too traumatic after all!
DeleteJust an FYI--if you do want to use or transfer any CDs on your computer, you can buy a CD attachment that connects to the computer with a USB cord to any USB port on your laptop. I have a fair number of CDs I wanted to use on my newest computer which doesn't have a CD player and the attachment works a charm. Usually costs around or less than £20.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Don't think I need one for anything at the moment
DeleteYour new laptop must be a pleasure to work with. The Red Hazel tree that grew from a seed must be of good size today.
ReplyDeleteThe new lap top is so speedy - really good.
DeleteThe Hazel at Brother in Laws house is huge after 20+years
I have a sticking space bar on this laptop, so know how frustrating it can be! You won't know yourself with your new laptop now.
ReplyDeleteKeith and I can dowse, but I know not everyone has the knack for it. It's the water that does it - we once went to the Rollright stones, and there were wardens who handed you a pair of dowsing rods with collars which you held, and the rods were loose within them. As you moved about the circle, they would spin like whirling dervishes! presumably in response to underground springs. That said, Tam and I would dowse with a pendulum for lost things (and you can do it with your hand - it's the intent I believe). I've done it here recently - and need to do it for some paperwork I've just lost!
Hoping that your Red Hazel will thrive now.
We spent many hours searching for lost things at the smallholding - mainly Col's tools - he should have tried dowsing for them!
DeleteI have always found hazel to be such a friendly tree...really love them. x
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a dowser. It was kind of an amazing thing to witness.
ReplyDeleteI once met a dowser and spent a day making rounds with him. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've got the laptop up and working. That looks like another wonderful book. There are so many great ones you show!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you managed to get up and running on the new laptop. You can get an external CD drive that plugs into your laptop. I've got one for mine, although I rarely use it.
ReplyDelete