The Highland Games

The Highland Games have been in existence
with the Celtic people since before the dawn
of Christianity. In days past, the gatherings were
essentially war games set out to select the finest warriors
of the clans.
Today the modern games consist of:

1. Caper Toss - Flipping a foot tree trunk (various lengths) end over end.
2. Sheaf Toss - Tossing a bale of straw for height and over a crossbar with a pitchfork
    or by hand.
3. Stone Put - Shot-putting throwing a smooth stone for distance.
4. Weight Throw - Slinging a weight with a chain handle for distance or height.
5. Hammer Throw - Whirling a weight with a wooden handle and releasing it
    backwards for distance.
6. Ax Toss - Toss ax at a target.

My brothers son in law Jimmy competing in a local Highland Games.

He wins every time. He thinks he's hot shit.

The Many faces of Father Christmas

Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle,

St. Nicholas. The story of Santa Claus has been

around for hundreds of years. He image has evolved

through the ages and has delighted all people from

young to old.

This is a picture of my brother Steve with

his grandchildren. Notice the bridle held

but his grandson. That of course is for the

reindeer who are outside waiting down the

street because there was not room to park

near their house. What a clever Santa he

makes. I think he looks asleep in this

picture.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the winter and the shortest

day of the year. It is also know as Christmas and Yule.

In celtic tradition the Holly King rules in the winter as the Oak King

rules in the summer. They constantly battle for supremency. Each one

given way to the other as the seasons change. The Holly King is sometimes

depicted as a woodsy Santa Claus with holly in his hair and

wearing red and often with eight stags.

Stonehenge - A ancient site in the U.K. for celebrating the Winter Solstice.

Thousands gather to celebrate the event every year.

Newgrange in Ireland

Photos of Newgrange a pre-historic monument in Ireland used

for burials and as a passage tomb. On the winter solstice the

sun lines up directly with a entrance chamber. See link for more info.

http://www.newgrangeireland.com/

Oak Leaf Pendant by William Lloyd

Oak Leaf pendant for me by artist William Lloyd

(front side)

(backside of pendant)

Within

Green Man!

The Green Man at the Ren festival.

The Green Man image goes back in time pretty

far. There has been allot of speculation as to

his true meaning. He is often related to

as the spirit in nature or a representative of

spring and bringing new growth in the world.

He ask been associated with myth and as Sir Gowain

and the Green Knight. He has even been a symbol

of Robin Hood himself. The early church adopted

his image in sculpture and carvings on many cathedrals

and buildings. He has survived even to this day in

modern structures as well.

The Green Man in a modern

day building.

Wooden carved sword holder

I made this sword holder many years ago but thought I would

share it on here. It took awhile to carve it but I think it turned

out pretty good. The sword is the Dragonslayer. It's baddddd....

Boar carved in wood.

Brother Steve working on a sample carving of a boar before

he begins making his wooden bench.

The Watts Chapel Compton U.K.

The Watts Chapel in Compton England. Mary Watts (1849-1938)

created a stunning structure filled with paintings and sculptures with

Celtic, Art Nouveau, and Egyptian influences.

See Link below for a short video of the chapel.

http://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/watts-chapel

Red Hawk feather

I have two hawks that are in my neck of the woods in the

summer who set up a nest not far from the house. One afternoon

while cutting the grass with a push mover I made my cut down

the lawn. When I turned around here was this magnifcant

hawk feather sticking right up in the grass like someone put it

there. I looked up but did not see the bird but I knew he

must have been around. Here is my attempt at painting that

feather in watercolor. I threw in a few acorns as well.

A quote from poet Rumi

Painted wolf skull

Just a painted wolf skull.

Song of the Lonely Mountain

To all of you Tolkien fans out there. I could not resist posting a

link to the song from "The Hobbit" The dwarfs are singing about

their mountain and their treasures stolen from them by the dragon

SMAUG! It makes my hair stand up....

Click on link below to here the song.

http://www1.rollingstone.com/hearitnow/player/neilfinn.html