la Vie Sirene volume 1 issue 6 - OLDE WORLD FAIRY TALES

the magazine of the sirens . by the sirens . for the sirens

November 2013

Olde World

airy Tales Once Upon a Blo g

with tale tender Gypsy Thornton

Fantastical by Design Volume 1, Issue VI Published by SirenSchool.com Photography by: Love BEA Photography, Cover Model: Julia Spieker

the myriad personas & talents of Marie-Chantal Cadieux

TALE TRADITIONS & LORE 4 Intro 5 Tolkien’s take 15 Once Upon a Phrase - fairy tale openers etc.

19 Parisian salons & feminism 30 The Italian connection 32 Madame d’Aulnoy 34 Les Précieuses 36 Charles Perrault 52 Märchen 76 Into the Wald with the Brothers Grimm 84 The Little Mermaid’s Father INTERVIEWS 7 Happily Ever Before & After the modern magic of Love BEA Photography 22 & 62 The Tender of the Tales - Gypsy Thornton & Once Upon a Blog 42 Transforming harsh reality into dreams come true - the magic of Marie-Chantal Cadieux 72 Charming in every way - the wearable art of Blackberry Designs Jewelry 88 The Lord & Lady of Latex from Organic Armor ARTICLES, TESTIMONIALS, POEMS 18 Julie Komenda’s review of The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon 20 Siren School’s salon program 56 A building ritual for the full Beaver moon, by Lore Raymond, plus her suggested fairy tales 60 SK Munt’s review of Cinder: Book 1 in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 96 A Cutlass Above - Modern Dueling Academy

108 Part of Their World - growing up in the shadow of the Disney Princesses by SK Munt 116 Dragon poems by Lyle Dagnen 117 A Prayer by Susan Brooks Fleming 118 Confessions of a Fairy Godmother from Joy de Vivre ORIGINAL TALES 6 The Story of a Fairy Tale by Carl Ewald 28 & 53 Stag by EJ Sankey 40, 70, 86 & 98 A Story of Dragons by Lyle Dagnen 68, 82 & 93 Nine Tails, shared by Shannon Lopez RECIPES & IDEAS 13 Apfel Knackig from Marla Spellenberg 27 Create your own fairy tale 35 Petits Fours 39 Unleash the Dragon Fruit 59 Moon Pies 61 Biscuits & Honey Butter from Marla Spellenberg 81 Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes 111 Snow White’s Poisoned Candy Apples 117 Apple Fritters from Susan Brooks Fleming 120 Apple Walnut Tart QUOTES 3 Albert Einstein 14 George MacDonald 80 Helena Bonham Carter 97 G.K. Chesterton 100 Charles Dickens PRETTY PICTURES 95 Beauty & the Bento munchable lunchables 101 Libraries 112 The original Sleeping Beauty Castle,Neuschwanstein

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“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.

If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ~Albert Einstein

Cover of Fairy Tales, compiled by Rose Allyn, illustrated by G. M. Burd (1918)

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The Fairy Tale Trail Just “What is a fairy tale?” you may well ask. I’m afraid we’ve not sufficient magic to adequately satisfy this age old query. Suffice it to say, the tales are as old as the worlds they describe, going back multiple millennia.

While many scholars cite India’s Aryan heritage, recorded in Sanskrit, as the source of the genre, as far back as 4000 BC the Egyptians committed to papyrus their own tales of magicians which later traveled far from home via the Crusaders, the Mongols, gypsies and others.

Much more recently, circa 600 BC, the legends of Homer and fables of Aesop captivated the collective consciousness of the west. A bit later the Panchatantra appeared in 3rd century BC India, and Apuleius composed The Golden Ass, including the tale of Cupid and Psyche.

Written between 100 and 200 AD, the text remains the oldest Latin novel to appear in its entirety.

Elements of the fairy tale are considered to exist in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare’s King Lear, Spenser’s Faerie Queene, Carlo Gozzi’s Commedia dell'Arte plots, and in China, Pu Songling’s Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.

For the purposes of our trek this month, we’ll make stops at the salons of France, the dark woods of Germany, the home of Mother Goose, Oz. Wonderland, Neverland and even Disneyland. Now, grab your cloak and boots and a basket of goodies. It’s bound to be an eventful trip.

Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine, Photo by Oleg Gordienko

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Notes from the Professor Tolkien’s take on fairy tales, excerpted from his work, On Fairy Stories, 1965 “The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords.” "...fairy-stories are not in normal English usage stories about fairies or elves, but stories about Fairy, that is Faërie, the realm or state in which fairies have their being. Faerie contains many things besides elves and fays, and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants, or dragons: it holds the seas, the sun, the moon, the sky; and the earth, and all things that are in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted."

"The definition of a fairy-story -- what it is, or what it should be -- does not, then, depend on any definition or historical account of elf or fairy, but upon the nature of Faërie: the Perilous Realm itself, and the air that blows in that country. I will not attempt to define that, nor to describe it directly. It cannot be done.

“For the moment I will say only this: a "fairystory" is one which touches on or uses Faërie, whatever its own main purpose may be: satire, adventure, morality, fantasy. Faërie itself may perhaps most nearly be translated by Magic but it is magic of a peculiar mood and power, at the furthest pole from the vulgar devices of the laborious, scientific, magician. There is one proviso: if there is any satire present in the tale, one thing must not be made fun of, the magic itself. That must in that story be taken seriously, neither laughed at nor explained away."

“Such stories have now a mythical or total (unanalysable) effect, an effect quite independent of the findings of Comparative Folk-lore, and one which it cannot spoil or explain; they open a door on Other Time, and if we pass through, though only for a moment, we stand outside our own time, outside Time itself, maybe.”

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“History often resembles myth, because they are both ultimately of the same stuff.”

“The consolation of fairy-stories, the joy of the happy ending: or more correctly of the good catastrophe, the sudden joyous “turn” (for there is no true end to any fairy-tale): this joy, which is one of the things which fairy-stories can produce supremely well, is not essentially “escapist,” nor “fugitive.” In its fairy-tale--or otherworld--setting, it is a sudden and miraculous grace: never to be counted on to recur. It does not deny the existence of dyscatastrophe, of sorrow and failure: the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of deliverance; it denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat and in so far is evangelium, giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief.”

“It is the mark of a good fairy-story, of the higher or more complete kind, that however wild its events, however fantastic or terrible the adventures, it can give to child or man that hears it, when the “turn” comes, a catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart, near to (or indeed accompanied by) tears, as keen as that given by any form of literary art, and having a peculiar quality ... In such stories when the sudden “turn” comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart's desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of story, and lets a gleam come through.”

“I feel that it is more interesting, and also in its way more difficult, to consider what they are, what they have become for us, and what values the long alchemic processes of time have produced in them. In Dasent's words I would say: 'We must be satisfied with the soup that is set before us, and not desire to see the bones of the ox out of which it has been boiled.'

The Story of a Fairy Tale

by Carl Ewald translated by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, 1905

O

nce upon a time, ever so many years ago, Truth suddenly vanished from out of the world.

When people perceived this, they were greatly alarmed and at once sent five wise men in search of Truth. They set out, one in this direction and one in that, all plentifully equipped with traveling expenses and good intentions. They sought for ten long years.

Then they returned, each separately. While still at a distance, they waved their hats and shouted that they had found Truth.

The first stepped forward and declared that Truth was Science. He was not able to finish his report, however; for before he had done, another thrust him aside and shouted that that was a lie, that Truth was Theology and that he had found it. Now while these two were at loggerheads--for the Science man replied to the attack vigorously--there came a third and said, in beautiful words, that Love was Truth, without a doubt. Then came the fourth and stated, quite curtly, that he had Truth in his pocket, that it was Gold, and that all the rest was childish nonsense. At last came the fifth.

He could not stand on his legs, gave a gurgling laugh, and said that Truth was Wine. He had found Truth in Wine, after looking everywhere.

Then the five wise men began to fight, and they pummeled one another so lustily that it was horrible to see. Science had its head broken, and Love was so greatly ill-treated that it had to change its clothes before it could show itself again in respectable society. Gold was so thoroughly stripped of every covering that people felt awkward about knowing it; and the bottle broke and Wine flowed away into the mud. But Theology came off worst of all: everybody had a blow at it and it received such a blasting that it became the laughingstock of all beholders.

And people took sides, some with this one and some with that, and they shouted so loud that they could neither see nor hear for the din. But far away, at the extreme end of the earth, sat a few and mourned because they thought that Truth had gone to pieces and would never be made whole again.

Now as they sat there, a little girl came running up and said that she had found Truth. If they would just come with her--it was not very far--Truth was sitting in the midst of the world, in a green meadow.

Then there came a pause in the fighting, for the little girl looked so very sweet. First one went with her; then another; and ever more... At last, they were all in the meadow and there discovered a figure the like of which they had never seen before. There was no distinguishing whether it was a man or a woman, an adult or a child. Its forehead was pure as that of one who knows no sin; its eyes deep and serious as those of one who has read into the heart of the whole world. Its mouth opened with the brightest smile and then quivered with a sadness greater than any could describe. Its hand was soft as a mother's and strong as the hand of a king; its foot trod the earth firmly, yet crushed not a flower. And then the figure had large, soft wings, like the birds that fly at night.

Now at they stood there and stared, the figure drew itself erect and cried, in a voice that sounded like bells ringing: "I am Truth!"

"It's a Fairy Tale!" said Science.

"It's a Fairy Tale!" cried Theology and Love and Gold and Wine.

Then the five wise men and their followers went away, and they continued to fight until the world was shaken to its center.

But a few old and weary men and a few young men with ardent and eager souls and many women and thousands of children with great wide eyes: these remained in the meadow where the Fairy Tale was.

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Happily Ever Before & After

The Modern Magic of Love BEA Photography -7

Combining the magic of filmmaking , photography, makeup artistry and set decorating, Logan Lovett and Brandi Elizabeth Ashman have moved Love BEA Photography from the realm of the wedding portrait into that of living fantasy.

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Making clients look and feel like a fairy tale princess

by Joy de Vivre

I’ve been a fan of Love BEA Photography ever since I happened upon Brandi on Facebook. So when the idea to do a fairy tale issue cropped up, I knew just who to turn to for a cover image. What I didn’t know was how far the scope of this talented team extends. This interview is akin to being the first page of the fairytale that is their business.

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Your team has a wonderfully interrelated skill set. How did those skills lead to a photography business?

Logan studied film in college, and branched off to take some photography classes. In one of his first projects he used a mutual friend of ours to model, so I had done the makeup and the styling and Logan shot and developed the photos.

After that shoot we had this demand that came out of nowhere from friends of friends who had seen the photos and that is kind of how our business started. We were never just like, "oh hey let's start a photography business." That would have been too random.

I've seen people do that out of nowhere and it never turns out well.

First off, I think Logan and I are both creative but in different ways. Logan approaches things with a technical viewpoint in mind, such as how the subject or "scene" should be lit and framed. This comes from his background in film. He looks at what we have set up, and from there knows exactly how to go about taking photos of it.

For myself, I start thinking about the entire picture in my head before I even have a model.

The expectations can seem unattainable at times because I'll picture a specific type of dress on a model or a specific type of person to be the model and it can take months to search for those things. But my focus over all is the theme then everything else follows.

lot easier. When we started only Logan would take photos, but he’s taught a lot about the technical aspect so that we can both take photos during our shoots. This is helpful for example, when I have something really specific in mind, making it beneficial for me to shoot it myself rather than have Logan do it. We find great balance working together.

Everything about what you do seems like a fairy tale. You even work with your prince charming. What's it like, collaborating as a couple on your artistic endeavors?

What first drew me to your work was your series of carefully staged fairy tale images. I imagine they are pretty involved to shoot with all of the details you incorporate. What inspired you to delve into fantasy photography? And what goes into preparing for that kind of shoot?

Being a couple working together is both very easy and incredibly difficult.

Neither of us previous to Love BEA had a lot of experience of running a business by ourselves, so there has been a lot more work than either of us had planned. Being a couple, we often get into “debates” about how things should be done during shooting. But now that we are so used to working together, we know exactly what to expect from each other and it makes things a

What inspired me - I have always loved all things fairytale. It honestly stems from when I was a kid and my mom would bring me to her friend Ingrid's house. I'd be bored to death so Ingrid would pull out her copy of "Book of Gnomes" by Wil Huygen. And the obsession began there. I also think a little bit of it has -10

to do with my love of Disney and the fact that my parents never took me to Disneyland o r D i s n e y w o r l d . M a y b e I ' m t r y i n g to overcompensate for a fairytale-less childhood.

Logan: I just went along with it.

Fantasy photography has to be our favorite type of shoot to plan. Unlike working for a specific client who has ideas in mind already, we get to have complete control and really go all out. There isn't a fear of rejection either because we're doing it for ourselves rather than for anyone else.

Any type of over the top themed shoot takes a few months to plan. We first have to find the perfect location and if it’s outdoors, plan for the weather. Then we must find the perfect model and style around them. We will go to thrift stores and look for dresses or accessories that will match the part. We scour antique shops or online for props. We even sometimes work with a pet if needed.

The day of a shoot typically starts off with makeup and hair for the model, which I'll do myself. This will take a few hours. After makeup, we head straight to the location and setting up props and the “mise-en-scène” as the filmmakers call it.

This can take ten minutes to an hour. We have the model change on location and set up his/her body and poses until they comfortable, or until they are taken over by the spirit of the character they are portraying.

What can you tell us about Rennies: Down the Rabbit Hole?

Rennies: Down the Rabbit Hole is a documentary that Logan and I started a couple of years ago. It began as a Birthday/ Christmas present from Logan (My birthday is on Christmas). I have been an avid fairegoer since I was little and since Logan is a filmmaker, I asked if we could put together a documentary about it. It started as something very small, but became a very ambitious project for us. We initially thought we would just shoot at the faire in Bristol, IL, but then -11

branched out to shoot in both Minnesota and Arizona.

Our goal is to travel to faires around the country and interview both regular faire-goers (rennies) and vendors that work for faire. We’ve had a lot of outside interest in this project from people wanting to get involved, and it has become a very exciting project. Click here to see the video.

What sorts of shoots do you enjoy most?

Or is that an unfair question like asking which of your children you love most?

Fantasy, themed. But it is expensive, especially when doing it for ourselves. We've done some themed shoots for clients, where they will pay for everything that goes into it, but I don't think people realize how much money goes into it.

Clothing, props, location rental, plus our sitting fee on top if it. That's why we don't do them all the time. If we could, we’d do them every single day.

What are the long-term goals for Love BEA photography?

We definitely want to delve back into the themed fantasy shoots. It feels like forever since we've done one. Weddings kind of took over for a while, and we moved a few times in the past year and a half so the timing hasn't been right. But we're definitely planning some things. The hard part about living in Minneapolis now is that our favorite models aren’t accessible to us anymore. So were actually talking with a few new models about getting some stuff planned. We are hoping to move to a Seattle in the next year and we are saving some ideas for there, due to the amazing forests. Hopefully Love BEA will continue on strong, and we will push the boundaries for what can be done with our photography. And making some money in the process would be nice too.

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Apfel Knackig from Marla Spellenberg

{apple

crisp}

“Recipe is from my mom's recipe box. The card said it was Oma's (German for grandma) from 1950.

It's been translated, but it works fine. We love this recipe, it's easy and quick. Also great for the fall when the apples are perfect! Serve with natural vanilla ice cream, and you won't stop eating! YUM!” Ingredients & Equipment: • 1 stick butter • 1 cup flour • 1 tsp cinnamon • 4-5 Macintosh apples (maybe 1-2 more depending on size of apple) • 9x9 inch baking dish, rubbed with butter • medium bowl • pastry knife Preparation: 1. Crumble topping — In bowl, allow butter to soften to room temperature, use pastry knife to break apart into chunks; Sift flour and cinnamon together; Add to butter, blending with pastry knife till you have medium (1/4 inch) sized crumbles. Set aside.

2. Prepare apples: wash, peel & core, and slice into 1/4 inch wedges 3. Layer apples into buttered baking dish, as you layer apple spread lightly, some crumble between layers until apples are about 1/2 inch from top of dish edge.

Top with remaining crumble.

4. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes to 1 hour (or until topping is crisping and turning lovely light brown) 5. Serve hot (with caution!)

Serves 6-8 Best with all natural vanilla ice cream on the side!

Fabulous steaming crisp image from The Meaning of Pie site -13

“Were I asked, what is a fairytale?

I should reply, Read Undine: that is a fairytale... of all fairytales I know, I think Undine the most beautiful.”

George MacDonald, The Fantastic Imagination

Written in 1811, Undine is a fairy-tale novella (Erzählung) by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué in which Undine, a water spirit, marries a knight named Huldebrand in order to gain a soul.

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Once upon a Phrase image: The City by Lori Nix

The standard fairy tale opening phrase once upon a time has been in use in one form or another dating back to approximately 1380 AD, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Along with its companion phrase, happily ever after, it is a narrative device popular in written and oral stories, especially those created for children, as well as in the retelling of myths, fables, and folklore. But the use of similar verbiage is not relegated to the English language. Here are a few of the more interesting ways the rest of the world begins the process of putting their kids to bed: Note: Beginning phrases are followed by ‘...’

Ending phrases are preceded by ‘...’

Afrikaans One day, a long time ago... ...Whistle, whistle, the story is done Algerian Arabic I've told you what's coming...

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Amharic Once a long time ago... ...Return my story and feed me bread.(It is a way of saying tell me a story for the one I have told you.)

Classical Arabic There was, oh what there was (or there wasn't) in the oldest of days and ages and times...

Armenian There was, there was not... ...3 apples fall from the sky/heaven - one for the writer/author, one for the storyteller, one for the listener. Note: (the three apples can "be given" to different people, when people tell stories they change the three to whatever they like. The version noted here is the most common/known) Basque Once upon a time... ... and it was or it was not, come in in the pumpkin and come out in the square of... (name of a town).

Bengali Once there lived a king ...My story ends and the spinach is eaten by the goat.

(A Goat eats the root of a herb unlike cows, so being consumed by goats figuratively means something being irreversibly ended)

Bulgarian There was, once upon a time... ...and for three days they ate, drank and had fun.

Catalan There was a time... ...And here's a dog, here's a cat, this tale is finished.

Croatian There was once a... ...and they lived happily until the end of their lives.

Czech There was once a ... ...A bell rang and the tale comes to its end.

Dutch Once there was... ...And then came an elephant with a long snout, and blew the story out.

Estonian Behind seven lands and seas there lived a... ...and if they're not dead, they still live happily.

Faroese Once there was... ...snip, snap, stout, then the story was out.

Filipino At the beginning of time...

Finnish Once there was... ...That's the length of it.

French There was one time / There was once... ...and they lived happily and had many children.

-or...and they lived happily until the end of time.

German Back in the days when it was still of help to wish for a thing,... ...and they lived happily and contentedly until the end of their days.

Georgian Disaster there, feast here... bran there, flour here...

Greek (Modern) Once and a time... ...And they lived well, and we lived better Gujarati This is an old story...

-orIn one era...

Hebrew Once there was... ...And they lived in happiness and luxury to this very day.

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Hungarian Once there was, where there wasn't, there was a... ...This is the end; run away with it.

Icelandic Once there was... ...A cat in the bog put up his tail and there ends the fairytale.

-or...Cat out in the swamp, lifted its tail, the adventure is finished.

Iraqw (Tanzania, Kenya, Cushitic) I remember something that our father told me and that is this...

Japanese Long ago, long ago... ...So blissful Kannada Once, in a long past age,...

Koti (Mozambique, Bantu) Once upon the time, there was a truly great friendship...

by JD’s Photography

Latvian Once long ago in times long gone...

Lithuanian Once upon the time... ...And I was there, drank some mead ale, dribbled through my beard, had not in my mouth.

Occitan There was one time / There was once...

Persian One day, One time... ...This book has come to end but there is still story to be told.

-or...The tale has been finished, but the crow has not yet arrived at his house.

Polish Long, long time ago... ...and I was there [usually at a wedding] too, and drank mead and wine.

Romanian There once was, (as never before)... ...and they lived happily until old age.

Russian (In some kingdom, in some land) There lived, there was... ...and they lived long and happily.

Scots In the days of auld lang syne...

Slovak Where it was, there it was... ...and they lived happily, until they died.

Spanish There was, once... ...and red, redder, this tale has ended.

Tagalog Back in the old time... ...And they lived happily.

Turkish Once there was, once there wasn't. In the old times, the sieve in a stack of hay... ...They have reached their goal, let's settle. [source: Wikipedia]

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The Fairest of Them All a review of Carolyn Turgeon’s latest book, by Julie Komenda Okay, I’ll be upfront. I am a Carolyn Turgeon fan with personal history of said author, and was so happy to hear her read an excerpt of “the Fairest of Them All” recently in Tampa, Florida at Inkwood Books. She read my favorite passage in the new novel, and you could have heard a pin drop. It was like we were collectively holding our breath. Carolyn and I had talked for hours about writing and this book in particular, and now, remembering some of those conversations, I may have to read it all over again for the first time. So detailed, so true to form, It is my favorite of her magical stories. No actual spoilers below, we all know the basic stories. But I gotta feeling they were just benign gossip...

becoming a woman played out. One man’s witch is another man’s wise woman. Betrayal, deceit, manipulation, hope, rage, beauty and sacrifice—there is a glorious range of emotion in this novel. And with all the mirror nagging going on, there was no way to avoid looking at aging and power. This is done cleverly, of course, with a deft scalpel of a pen. I went straight to the salon! I love all the hairpin turns, even a dead end or two as the story progresses, you are really moving—in fast uncharted flight in the dark. I read this in two nights because I was forced to take a breakotherwise it would have gone down in one satisfying meal, like dessert first. And then I went to the salon!

From her rich visual descriptions to her multilayered, emotionally complex characters, “The Fairest of Them All” drew me into an enchanted kingdom I only thought I knew. In a world traditionally evolved with castles and the requisite medieval sensitivities therein, the retelling of Rapunzel and Snow White has moved beyond Grimm’s perspective of a heroine’s progress from outcast to princess.

Black and White has turned to gray and purple, the line between isolation and protection becomes blurred, and even as you want to root for those that overcome great odds, no triumph comes without great cost.

I prescribe hot apple cider with red hots and a shot, or hot chocolate (also with a shot!) and a roaring fire... and a hand mirror, just in case...

Carolyn Turgeon has a knack for taking familiar fairy tale characters and charging them with deeply human, thrilling, and sometimes flawed personalities. This is not the Rapunzel and Snow White of the Brothers Grimm, but rather a living tale with an almost audible heartbeat.

The traditional story of Rapunzel and her prince has been brought to life, down to the very ends of her vividly expressive and sensitive hair. As the stories of Rapunzel and Snow White are braided together (puns aside, the weave is awesome!) there are so many twists and tangles you may need a scorecard to keep up. Rapunzel grows from a young girl to maturity with illusions and disillusions about -18

Le Salon de Paris & Féminisme “A whole world of social arrangements and attitude supported the existence of french salons: an idle aristocracy, an ambitious middle class, an active intellectual life, the social density of a major urban center, sociable traditions, and a certain aristocratic feminism. This world did not disappear in 1789.”

—Steven Kale The mid 1600s saw the introduction of magic into the Parisian social scene. At a time when women were not allowed to take part in formal education, aristocratic ladies began inviting intellectuals to gather in salons (living rooms) to engage in discussions on everything from politics to romance to finance.

Soon the conversational parlour game came into vogue, whereby players would retell a classic tale, adding their own clever twists and cheeky commentary on society.

Salon Doré from the Hôtel de la Trémoille. French, Paris, ca. 1781. DeYoung Museum SF

Le Grand Salon de Frascati opened in 1789 Paris, by Paul Lacroix

Salonnières (salon hostesses) of the day had a penchant for infusing their reworked contes (stories) with bright, independent females and wise, powerful fairies. These salon tales from the 17th and 18th centuries may be found in one massive work, Les Cabinet de Fees.

As we will discuss throughout this issue of the magazine, the salons of Paris laid the foundation, in great part, for the fairy tale formats and versions most of us have grown up with — a helpful reminder for those who dismiss fairy tales as anti-feminist.

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by EK Duncan

The Salon Lives on

The siren life needn’t be an impossible

dream. Today, women may still gather together to illuminate and inspire one another through the sharing of living fantasy experiences. To that end, Siren School has created a pair of salon opportunities enabling women to enjoy la vie sirène, either as an occasional avocation or ongoing vocation. Here is the info on the salon program pulled directly from the Siren School site:

l'Hôtesse de Fete How would you like to be able to turn on your computer, click this, post that, and voila.... a few weeks later Mermaid Camp or a Faerie Fete comes knocking at your door? As a hostess, you need neither a wand nor pixie dust to bring Siren School magic to your region — just a computer or smart phone and a sunny disposition.

As an enrolled Siren School student, you are eligible to host Siren School events in your area. This is more than just arranging for a soirée via our Homeschooling list of traveling events. This is a way for you to play party hostess, and as with most home party opportunities, that means you get to come to your event gratis, and with the opportunity to collect additional complimentary goodies.

The rewards of of being a hostess include: • As an Hôtesse de Fete, your participation at all Siren School hosted theme events is complimentary. Yes, dear one, you get to join in the fun for free. Guest attendance minimums (found on our Homeschooling page) do not include the gratis hostess.

• Theme event attendance over the minimum will send us over the moon... and earn you some free surprise event goodies &/or services as applicable. These may be in the form of spa treatments, siren wear, photography etc.

• Your efforts will earn you coveted ducats as part of our PLUNDER rewards program • Through the Hostess support group you will have access to sirens far and wide with whom you can parlez about outing ideas for your salon.

• Each quarter the most active hostesses and event patrons will be inducted into la Société Bas Bleu (the Blue Stocking Society) and lauded appropriately. (Why blue stockings, you ask? Click here to find a bit about this historic echelon of society) Finally, if you'd like to go pro and earn cash income for your efforts, you may participate in our Salonnière program. It is for the serious siren who fancies the possibility of bringing in some serious part-time income.

The role of the hostess includes: • Planning, booking & hosting your Siren School events of choice in your area. To do this, you will work with a coordinator at Siren Central to secure a venue, victuals and other assorted sirenry sundries • Promoting your event any way you see fit • Joining our Hôtesse de Fete support group for top tips (optional) -20

through Siren School la Salonnière Have you ever been nibbled by the entrepreneurial bug? Do you ever wish you could earn a little mad money by doing something you enjoy? Have you already served as a Siren School Hostess or Volunteur? If any of the above apply, then it is very likely Siren School's Salonnière programme may be for you.

This position involves playing an active role in the greater Siren School community by hosting income-generating Meetups and salons in your local area on an ongoing basis.

As a salonnière you will: • Create a Siren School Salon, i.e. Meetup group, in your area using Siren School art and verbiage. If you are unfamiliar with Meetup.com you will want to check into it. It is a brilliant resource for gathering locals with similar interests. Meetup does all the work to connect you with those who may enjoy the events you host. People may join your group for free, thereby becoming a captive audience to whom you can promote your activities.

Important note: Meetup charges group organizers a minimum of $12 per month, so that should be factored into your event planning and pricing to ensure you a profit

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Work with your Siren School coordinator to draft your individual game plan, income goals, event and/or merchandise choices, and pricing as is appropriate to your area Host at least one Siren School-approved event per quarter. These may range from a simple Cup of Mystery tea get-together at home, to an online Pin-Up tutorial, to a full immersion mermaid weekend Feel free to promote your event on your own, any way you see fit via Meetup, Craig's List, social media etc Take advantage of Siren School's various outlets for promotion. You may run a free ad in la Vie Sirene magazine as well as submit your event info to Siren Central, and we will post it on Facebook, Google+ and anywhere else we can think of Join our Salonnière support group for top tips (optional)

The pay-off: • As a salonnière, you will earn a portion of the event registration fee from every participant who attends. The exact amount will be worked out with your coordinator to make sure the price presented the participants is feasible. You should generally plan on collecting 20% of the Siren School activity fee for yourself. Example, if Siren School's cost for a weekend event is $100 you would keep $20 of that for yourself • Similarly, any event-related merchandise you sell would earn you 20% of the item's list price • You also have the opportunity to enroll Siren School students in our PLUNDER Enrollment Rewards program, which runs $25, netting you $5 per enrollee • Plus, you will earn a referral bonus for anyone you sign up for an event other than one you've planned. Example, if you were to sign up a guest for a Siren School cruise, you would receive 20% of the Siren School fee associated with the cruise which could be up to $70 • As is typical for this type of program, top 'producers' will also receive awards in the form of merchandise, events and services meant to spoil and pamper -21

The Tender of the Tales

The Once Upon a Blog banner

Gypsy Thornton... now there’s a name for a spunky fairy tale heroine! Only, it turns out she’s a flesh and blood wordsmith and fairy tale enthusiast whose Pinterest account alone is something of an encyclopedia of conte de fées fabulousness. And her daily Once Upon a Blog posts will make you feel wiser, hipper and more full of wonder than ever, just for having clicked them open. What follows is the first half of the in-depth interview she granted la Vie Sirene.

Grab a cuppa, settle in somewhere cozy, and enjoy learning about the most whimsical Marchen maven known in this or any land.

by Joy de Vivre images included are among Gypsy’s personal favorites

Blogging, fiction and non-fiction writing, animation, podcasting, directing, dance.... is there anything creative you do not do?

You are too kind! Really. You make it sound like I do it all. I wish I could! In actuality I'm a bit of a Jill-of-all-trades, dabbling in a variety of Arts in dribs and drabs and while I can do a little of a lot of things, I'm not particularly excellent at any single one. I love all the Arts, am fascinated by anything creative and am like a research sponge with my little learning-light in the "on" position at all times. My "specialty" (in the very loose sense of definition) would be "creative development" with an emphasis on combining story/writing and visuals. But I wish I could draw - as in REALLY draw - as a method of capturing ideas and communicating concepts, while creating beautiful, dynamic works. I'd love to be able to communicate as easily and freely in sketches as I can in words

or in dance or theatrical mediums. Oh and I'm not very good with sewing. I can put together a costume that will last a performance or few, and be able to fix it in between, but making something with perfect seams, that will survive a wash or a whole day of wear and not need additional duct tape or safety pins within a few hours? Not my forte.

Being an Aussie by birth, are there any fairy tales or fables from down under that the rest of us should know about?

Oh my goodness! Yes! Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Magic Pudding and the Dreamtime legends of the Aboriginal people. I grew up with a European sense of fairy tales, combined with the fauna and flora of the Australian bush, and May Gibbs' little gumnut folk, along with tales of the Rainbow Serpent are inseparable from the land for me. (Maybe -22

The Boy Who Drew Cats ~ Frédéric Clément

Japanese fairy tale wherein a girl befriends a crow demon in order to save the soul of her sister ~ Liz Pulido

it's in my blood. May Gibbs is actually my great, great aunt.) It's a land of sun-blackened, rough-skinned desert fae, powerful rushing river folk, dancing rainbow-hued trees, ponderous red rock golems and ragged mountain ranges bearing the scrabble-holds of giant children that played there long ago. The land seems to embrace different peoples, tales and traditions then absorbs and blends them into a unique, multi-colored dreamtime. If you're open to the unusual beauty of the country, you'll see creatures that remind you of djinn, kelpies, and kitsune but also bunyips, willy-willys and yowies. It's a place of harsh and surprising magic that roots for the underdog, even as it laughs at you.

Click here for Gypsy’s Australian fairy tale Pinterest board.

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Throughout your travels around Australia, to South America. to California, have you observed any differences in the way fairy tales are approached in different cultures?

Hmm. That's a tough one. It depends on how immersed you get in the culture, I think, in order to really understand how different cultures and people view tales. (Note: I have not formally studied this at all, so please take what follows as my impressions only.)

In Australia it’s very much a sense of urban legends-meet-folktales. There's a sense of superstition and expectation of the supernatural as being "the norm" but not taken too seriously. Dreamtime legends, (Aboriginal legends and tales) however, are treated with great respect, bordering on the religious (which, for Australia is interesting since Australia tends to not be big on religious belief). Animal tales and animal "magics" are big in Australia and fairy tales tend to come out of the land. As far as "fairy tales" in the

(From) The Lady and the Lion ~ Laurel Long

and community rituals are like doorways into unseen realms. While there are personal tales, family and ancestry reign supreme. It would be interesting to do a proper study.

Frog Prince ~ P.J. Lynch

traditional sense of the word, many kids grow up with the European collections but being such a multicultural nation, in which groups of people keep their homeland traditions close (unlike America, in which people come to America to be "American"), hearing fairy and folktales from other cultures happens a lot as well, so the exposure tends to be quite varied, rather than just branded. We seem to be drawn to tales about animals, children, ghosts and travelers though. Our wonder tales tend to quiet, unusual, unexpected and can happen while you're washing the dishes.

In South America, it seems to me there is a strong sense of religion, tales and magic. People and families tell stories a lot as part of what they do - even in cooking or traveling - and holidays and traditions involve much superstition and ritual, which is its own form of storytelling. Even the Christian and Catholic beliefs revolve largely around rituals, symbols and traditions. It's very rich, very colorful and often dark too. Life, magic and death seem to be continuing themes that appear everywhere - sometimes overtly in stories, sometimes just in superstitious gestures -

In California... well, L.A. is an odd place. It's Hollywood and a place of make-believe, fantasy and dreams. It's actually difficult to tell the real from the fabricated here on more levels than most realize. One thing I'm told consistently by Americans is that L.A. is very different from the rest of the U.S. I can tell you that national pride is the driving force here.

American legends, folktales... people love them best and Disney reigns supreme in fairy tales both in exposure and in retellings. While things have changed with regard to the "fairy tales = Disney" mentality since social media took off, it's still the main influence and lens through which fairy tales are considered. Fairy tales are equated with wishes and dreams here, rather than a supernatural sense. Magic comes with sparkles, trumpets and special occasions and is generally a positive "happily ever after" notion, rather than day-to-day.

I guess the differences are quite pronounced!

Most of us have a soft spot in our hearts for our favorite fairy tales.

But you are something of an encyclopedia on the subject, not merely waxing nostalgic about your love of the genre, but digging deep to find and share thoughtful, compelling background information and up-to-theminute news. How did you go from fan to expert, and how long have you been at it?

I wouldn't say I'm an expert - just a consistent and longtime student! I've never formally studied fairy tales though I've done my best to -24

Snowdrop and the seven little men ~ John D Batten

read every scholarly work I could get my hands on. I'm definitely sponge-like in absorbing information, though I wish I were better at keeping it all in my head! (Seriously. I need a little brain brownie to archive it all so I can access it instantly.) That helps when looking for stories and putting articles and my own work together. It's definitely an interest I've had since I was young, to the point I feel I now have fairy tale radar, though there will always be so much more to learn. I see tales (and uses of them) everywhere and, no matter what field I'm working in, I remain fascinated.

I can trace my love of fairy tales back to an early record I had of Disney's Snow White.

While I love the storytelling on the record, complete with voices and music, it was the images that caught my imagination as the drawings used were sometimes "working" drawings, meaning they had construction lines and weren't final. I remember thinking at age 4 or 5 that this tale could have been told a few different ways and was intrigued by that.

Wanting to study fairy tales, though, happened when I was nine and read C. S. Lewis' "Till We Have Faces", a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche story from the point of view of the ugly sister. I still remember feeling as if a light bulb went on in my brain, realizing that a story could both change AND stay the same when told from a different perspective. I began to seek out different retellings of tales then, which led me to variants on tales, which led me to variants around the world. I was completely hooked then, when I realized tales both showed us how different people and cultures were to each other, while at the same time showing how much people are all the same. I've been studying in one way or another ever since, scouring libraries and book stores for volumes, and texts.

When I realized there were people who actually -25

The Thorn Rose ~ Errol le Cain

studied fairy tales as their specialty, I sought out their work too. I adore living in the internet age with complete access to places like Gutenberg and Sacred Texts, not to mention SurLaLune. I found Heidi's site within a month of it appearing and used to scour the discussion boards every day I could, though I was too intimidated by the "names" appearing at the time to contribute.

That light bulb has been burning consistently for over three decades now!

How has your involvement with fairy tales taught you life lessons that you employ during your daily round?

Possibly the biggest one is that "there are multiple ways through the woods". People usually think of Red Riding Hood when I say this but it was Snow White as a seven year old, finding her way through the terrors of the forest, that was always my biggest inspiration. That and that "little things matter". Being kind to little ones, to animals and others in generally the best way to live. Not only does it dispose others to be kind to you should you need it but it helps you be grateful for what you have in the meantime. Seeing that you have a choice, even if it's a small one, is empowering and makes you realize how wonder-ful your world actually is.

The other thing would definitely be that "magic takes work", but it's always worth the effort.

Do you have any favorite 'modern' fairy tales?.... (the word modern being up to your interpretation) Modern. Hmm. I'm not sure I know the definition of "modern"! But let's say you mean original fairy tales created since TV appeared.

Snow White ~ Benjamin Lacombe

Keep a keen eye out for Part 2 of our interview, coming when you least expect it.

For now, enjoy the opportunity to dive into any of the enchanting tales Gypsy mentioned, or to visit her Once Upon a Blog site Pinterest boards with approx 25k pins!!!

Facebook page Pinocchio ~ Luigi and Maria Augusta Cavalieri

My favorites, by far, would be, in this order: • The Orphan's Tales Vol I In the Night Garden & Vol II In the Cities Of Coin & Spice by Catherynne Valente • The Bloody Chamber and Other Tales by Angela Carter • The Secret History of Moscow by Ekaterina Sedia • Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro • The Princess Bride by William Goldman Favorite retellings are: • The entire fairy tale anthology series by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, starting with Snow White, Blood Red • Briar Rose by Jane Yolen • The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli (actually, I love pretty much all of her retellings) • Winter Rose by Maptricia A. McKillip • Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan • Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes (this isn't just fiction but there are many stories retold within) • Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire • Tithe by Holly Black • The Fables Series by Bill Willingham & Co (for many different reasons)

Detour (Red Riding Hood) ~ KIm Kincaid

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Create Your Own Fairy Tale Easy Ideas for Making Your Own Magic with kids and friends • Visit an old world shopping hamlet and grab some Apfelstrudel. For example, denizens of Southern California might take a jaunt to: ✴Queen Mary Village in Long Beach ✴Old World Village in Huntington Beach ✴Alpine Village in Torrance • Have a fairy tale movie or tv show marathon: ✴Binge watch Once Upon a Time ✴Watch all of your Disney favorites ✴There are all sorts of great ones from days gone by that you may have missed.

One of my favorites is 1952’s Hans Christian Andersen starring the magical Danny Kaye

Old World Village

• Make a fairy tale princess cone hat with poster board, tulle and embellishments. Or better yet, how about ice cream cone hats using vanilla wafers, and cotton candy • Play Warner Bros Quest 4 Camelot online make-your-own fairy tale game • Play the Finish the Story, write & pass game with your friends.

Remember going to slumber parties as a child and you would write the first line of a story, then fold the page over and pass it to the girl next to you?

She would take the page, being sure not to peek at what you’d written, then add a line of her own, after which she would then fold over that part of the page before passing it to the girl next to her, and so on. By the end of the game all would have added to one another’s stories, and each story complete with disjointed additions would be read aloud, attended by belly laughs and general hilarity • Or, write a fairy tale of your own! That’s what two of our contributors did this month. Stag

by EJ Sankey and The Dragon Story by Lyle Dagnen are both included in this issue

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Hans Christian Andersen full movie

Image & recipe from MomDot.com

STAG an original fairy tale by EJ Sankey, Part 1 of 2 Eleven year-old Stag lay in the basement on the makeshift bed in the corner of the room. It was cold, dark, and full of shadows that seemed to move closer to him every night. It scared him, so he would turn his back on them and face the wall.

Most nights he would look out a small window and he would pick the biggest and brightest star to make a wish. Feeling like a trapped caged animal, he would almost beg to them.

"You, star, are my last bit of hope. Please come help me. I can't take it anymore," he said through his tears. Every day for the last eight years, just after his mom died, his father would get drunk at night, and mercilessly beat him.

He lay down, closed his eyes and prayed for a better day.

The next morning his father opened the door to the basement and bellowed out, "Get up here, boy. I made you some breakfast. Come eat it before it gets cold."

Stag just lay there. His father never did anything nice for him. He was scared it was a trick. But he also knew that if he didn't go upstairs, his beating would be worse that night. Slowly he got up and made it up the stairs.

He looked at his father. "Good morning, Father.

How are you?" Stag tried not to let the quiver in his voice come out, for it would send his father over the edge and enrage him.

His father smiled a sinister smile. "You didn't get up here fast enough, boy. See that plate on the table; full of food? Well now the dog is getting it.

I thought I would do something nice for you. I thought you would appreciate it, but no, you think you are better than that." He snarled, grabbing Stag by the scruff of his worn jacket and dragging him out into the bright sun.

Stag looked at the ground. He knew if he said anything it would make it worse.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" his father barked, slapping the young boy so hard that he went spinning onto the dirt.

"I'm sorry, Father, it won't happen again, I will be on time," he spoke loudly and clearly, fighting back tears.

"Sorry isn't good enough, boy,” he hissed. “Now go get up, we have a lot to do in the yard today."

His father narrowed his eyes and grabbed him by his collar, picked him up, and shoved him towards the tool shed.

"What would you like me to do?" Stag asked, forcing respect into his voice. . Deep down, he wished he had the strength to beat up his father and run away. Anything would be better than this.

His father picked up a log and shoved it in Stags arms. "Start grabbing these logs and pile them up by the tool shed, boy," snarled the man, as he walked away and disappeared into the house.

Stag didn’t have to take a whiff to know that his father would be drinking and shooting-up in the shadows of the house. Just watching him out the window, he knew that if he messed up his father would only beat him harder. Stag could hear his stomach growling. He also knew that if he didn't do what he was asked, his father would not feed him at all that day. He walked over to -28

the heavy logs, and one by one started to haul them over to the tool shed. It took him all day, but he did it, somehow or another. He piled them in a neat pile, then stepped back and looked at what he did. He, for once, was proud of his work.

"BOY!" He heard his father roar out. A shiver ran down his spine as he ran home.

A bright light woke him up. Stag was taken aback by this and sat up in bed, sleep still clouding his mind. He thought it was his father coming to do something to him, but to his surprise, it was something that he never expected. It was a very bright inviting light.

"Who… who's there?" he asked in a shaky voice.

"Yes, Dad?" he asked, his knees shaking.

Thankfully, the man didn’t notice, instead, taking another swig of beer.

A smiling face appeared to him. "I heard your plea, and I am here to help you," spoke the star.

"Did you do as I asked?" his father asked gruffly, placing the can of beer down and reaching for a needle.

Stag sat up, he thought he was dreaming. "Is this a dream, or even worse, a joke? Because if it is, I can't take anymore, please."

"Yes, Dad, I did what you asked," quivered Stag.

His father looked down at him and sneered, "Go wash up. Dinner is ready."

Stag didn't hesitate. He ran to get washed up.

When he got to the dinner table he was starving.

He sat down hurriedly as his father brought food to the table. Stag was given a hotdog, a glass of water, and a couple of chips. His father had a steak, a couple of beers, and a potato.

"You didn't do a good enough job for me,” his father snarled as he cut up his meat.

"Oh, this is real, and I am here to help you. Two of my sisters and I are going to visit you each night, and grant you one wish each night. These aren't just any wishes, but wishes that will help you specifically. Just answer my question and you will be granted what you need, not what you want."

Stag shook his head. "What may I wish for from you?" he asked.

"My wish I grant to you is what you need in the here and now."

That was not a challenge to answer.

Stag suppressed his tears. He tried as hard as he could, but one tear escaped his eye.

"I am hungry, I would like to eat at least one good meal every day, please."

"Is that a tear I see on your face, boy?" snapped the ill-tempered man.

The smiling face blinked her eyes twice and then disappeared... (to be continued)

Stag quickly wiped the tear away, shaking his head no and hurriedly stuffing his meager meal into his mouth.

"It better not be, boy, I am not raising a girl here."

Stag ate his food in silence as he cleaned his plate. He went back downstairs to the basement and sat on his bed. They were miles from any type of civilization. His father made sure of that.

He lay there listening to his stomach growl.

What he had for dinner was not nearly enough.

He closed his eyes and dreamed of a life much better. Little did he know, that was the first night that would change his life forever.

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Le fiabe provenienti da Italia

The Italian Connection to early fairy tales as explained by the superlative Sur la Lune In 1550 and 1553 in Italy, Gianfrancesco Straparola published two volumes comprising Le Piacevoli Notti or The Facetious Nights, also known as The Pleasant Nights and The Delightful Nights. It, too, is a collection of tales and anecdotes. The first volume appeared in France as early as 1560 and the second in 1573, spreading the tales across political and cultural borders. These volumes contain some of the earliest versions of literary fairy tales, such as Costantino Fortunato(like Puss in Boots) and Biancabella and the Snake (like Girl Without Hands/Armless Maiden). The Facetious Nights has been translated in its entirety into English only once by E. G. Waters in 1890. Fortunately, this translation is out of copyright and is now available on SurLaLune

at The Facetious Nights. (The etext was produced exclusively by SurLaLune.) Further reading about Straparola and his influence on fairy tales should include Fairy Godfather: Straparola, Venice, and the Fairy Tale Tradition

by Ruth B. Bottigheimer and Out of the Woods: The Origins of the Literary Fairy Tale in Italy and France by Nancy L. Canepa. More recent translations of some of the most significant tales are available in Jack Zipes' The Great Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola and Basile to the Brothers Grimm.

Less than a hundred years later, but once again in Italy, Giambattista Basile wrote Il Pentamerone, also known as Lo cunto de le cunti (The Tale of Tales). It is written in the hard-to-translate Neapolitan dialect. Volumes 1-3 appeared in 1634, followed by volume 4 in 1635 and volume 5 in 1636. They were published posthumously since Basile died in -30

1632. Due to its obscure dialect, the collection was not first published in Italian until 1747, German in 1846, and English in 1848, essentially removing it from direct influence back upon the oral tradition until those dates.

However, Il Pentamerone contains many tales that are directly related to many of today's most popular tales, including Cenerentola (like Cinderella), Sun, Moon, and Talia (like Sleeping Beauty), Petrosinella (like Rapunzel), and Gagliuso (like Puss in Boots). Their existence in this collection, albeit in sometimes drastically different versions, shows that the tales did exist in oral tradition and influenced Basile's writing almost 400 years ago. Barring the few similar tales by Straparola, Basile provides the earliest known literary versions of many of today's fairy tales.

Like The Facetious Nights, Il Pentamerone has been translated in its entirety into English less than a handful of times. Nancy L. Canepa has a new translation published in 2007; it's the first new translation since the 1930s. The first English translation by John Edward Taylor in 1847 only included the most popular tales and those were edited further to meet moral standards of the day. Taylor's translation is available on SurLaLune. Sir Richard Burton, most famous for his translation of1,001 Nights, also translated Il Pentamerone, including the bawdier tales Taylor had omitted. However, Burton's translation emphasizes the ribald elements, perhaps more than the original, making it problematic, too.

At this time, Burton's Il Pentamerone is not available online, although one of the long term goals is to publish it on SurLaLune. At this time, Benedetto Croce's translation is probably the best and definitely contains the most comprehensive study of the book in English.

Alas, it is still very much in copyright, but readily available through most academic libraries or interlibrary loan at your public library. Further reading about Basile and his Il Pentamerone should include From Court to Forest: Giambattista Basile's Lo Cunto De Li Cunti and the Birth of the Literary Fairy Tale by -31

Nancy L. Canepa, Out of the Woods: The Origins of the Literary Fairy Tale in Italy and France by Nancy L. Canepa, and Jack Zipes' The Great Fairy Tale Tradition: From Straparola and Basile to the Brothers Grimm.

Two other significant collections of Italian fairy tales are Italian Popular Tales (available on SurLaLune) by Thomas Crane and Italian Folktales by Italo Calvino.

La belle aux Cheveux d'Or par Madame d'Aulnoy The Story of Pretty Goldilocks or The Beauty with Golden Hair, by Madame d'Aulnoy

Read Pretty Goldilocks by Madame d’Aulnoy here

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A-musing Paris She was known as Clio, the ancient muse of history, though her ‘historical’ writings bore little resemblance to actual fact. Of the dozen books she published in the late 17th century, she is best known for the genre she helped to define and name — the fairy tale. Indeed contes de fées and Madame d’Aulnoy are nearly synonymous.

Marie-Catherine was born around 1650 in Barnevillela-Bertran, Calvados, to the noble Le Jumel family. At sixteen years of age she married François de la Motte, Baron d'Aulnoy, a Parisian man thirty years her senior.

After her free-thinking husband was falsely accused of treason, she retreated from the social scene of the Paris salons for a full twenty years, during which time she reported having travelled to Spain and England. These travels inspired her most popular stories.

During her marriage she bore her husband six children and took up writing. Around 1690 she returned to Paris and salon life, and her own salon was characterized by the presence of aristocrats and royalty.

She continued to write, and over the course of thirteen years published twelve books, four of which were fairy tale collections and three, pseudo-memoirs.

Her tales were characterized by their conversational style, which is unsurprising given the emphasis on mastery of oral story-telling that was part and parcel with salon experience as was the adult subject matter.

Certainly the tales shared behind salon doors were not meant for the ears of children.

Though she, herself, may no longer be a household name, her tales remain engrained in our collective psyche, and blazed the trail for the next generation of fairy tale tellers, most notably Madame d’Aulnoy’s countryman and contemporary, Charles Perrault.

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L es P ré ci e u s e s

The French literary style called préciosité, (preciousness) arose in the 17th century from the lively conversations and playful word games of les précieuses, the witty and educated intellectual ladies who frequented the salon of Catherine de Vivonne, marquise de Rambouillet; her Chambre bleue (the "blue room" of her hôtel particulier) offered a Parisian refuge from the dangerous political factionism and coarse manners of the royal court during the minority of Louis XIV. One of the central figures of the salon that gathered at the hôtel de Rambouillet, Madeleine de Scudéry, wrote voluminous romance novels that embodied the refinements ofpreciosité; they were suffused with feminine elegance, exquisitely correct scruples of behavior and Platonic love that were hugely popular with a largely female audience, but scorned by most men. The "questions of love" that were debated in the précieuses' salons reflected the "courts of love" that were a feature of medieval courtly love. The satire of Molière's comedy Les Précieuses ridicules (1659) punctured their pretensions.

A French salon during the reign of Louis XVI (1774-1792): wood engraving, 19th century, after a painting by Thomas Lawrence.

None of the ladies ever applied the term précieuse to herself or defined it. Patricia Howard noted, "For if in French theatre in the second half of the century, women's roles are preeminent, it was the précieux movement which made them so."

One précieuse parlor game, the retelling of fairy tales as if spontaneously (though the tales were in fact carefully prepared), was to have great effects. This fashion for fairy tales, and the writers themselves, were a notable influence later upon Charles Perrault, and also many other writers such as Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, the author of the first known variant of Beauty and the Beast. They altered the stories notably from the folk tradition, as in making every character at least a gentleman by birth. The heroes and heroines of fairy tales written by the précieuses often appeared in pastoral settings and as shepherds and shepherdesses, but these figures were royal or noble, and their simple setting does not cloud their innate nobility.

Les Précieuses Ridicules is a biting comedy of manners that brought Molière and his company to the attention of Parisians, after they had toured the provinces for years. The play received its Paris premiere on 18 November 1659 at the Théâtre du Petit-Bourbon. It seems not to have been staged before that in the provinces. It was highly successful and attracted the patronage of Louis XIV to Molière and company. Les Précieuses Ridicules still plays well today.

Molière's one-act satire, Les précieuses ridicules permanently fixed the pejorative connotation of précieuse as "affected". In the play, the two provincial young ladies reject the suitors proposed by their father as insufficiently refined, only to fall in love with the suitors' valets, disguised as wits. In the provinces, the young ladies' Parisian pretensions were worth mockery, and in Paris, their puffed-up provincial naiveté and self-esteem were laughable. Thus, Molière pleased all possible audiences.

Precious tidbit: Roxane, a critical character in Edmond Rostand's 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac, is described as a précieuse. [source: excerpted & edited from Wikipedia]

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Gateaux Precieux - i.e. Petits Fours Petits fours made their debut in the 18th century as miniature cakes baked in the after-glow of brick ovens whose coals were in the process of cooling.

The following recipe from Taste of Home is a five star example of all that a petit four should be: Prep: 40 min., Bake: 20 min. + cooling Cake Ingredients • 1/4 cup butter, softened • 1/4 cup shortening • 1 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2/3 cup milk • 3 egg whites GLAZE: • 2 pounds confectioners' sugar • 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons water • 2 teaspoons orange extract FROSTING: • 6 tablespoons butter, softened • 2 tablespoons shortening • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 3 cups confectioners' sugar • 3 to 4 tablespoons milk • Gel, liquid or paste food coloring Directions 1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until lightand fluffy.

2. Beat in vanilla.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.

4. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter.

5. Pour into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

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6. Cut a thin slice off each side of cake. Cut cake into 1-1/4-in. squares. Place 1/2 in. apart on a rack in a 15in. x 10-in. x 1-in. pan.

7. In a large bowl, combine glaze ingredients. Beat on low speed just until blended; beat on high until smooth.

8. Apply glaze evenly over tops and sides of cake squares, allowing excess to drip off. Let dry. Repeat if necessary to thoroughly coat squares. Let dry completely.

9. For frosting, in a small bowl, cream the butter, shortening and vanilla.

10. Beat in confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

11. Place 1/2 cup each in two bowls; tint one pink & one green.

12. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert #104 tip. Fill with pink frosting; pipe a rosebud on each petit four. Insert #3 round tip into another pastry or plastic bag; fill with green frosting. Pipe a leaf under each rose. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen (3 cups frosting).

D’Aulnoy, D’Aulnoy, Goose!

If Madame d’Aulnoy named the genre of fairy tales, Charles Perrault defined it. Born in 1628, Perrault was an intellectual who at age 32 attracted attention for his writing, specifically for the honorary poems he composed for Louis XIV. In 1663 he was appointed secretary to the king’s Minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert.

Perrault’s chief function as secretary was to advise Colbert in matters relating to the arts, literature and science. For two decades Perrault served in this capacity, until Colbert’s death in 1683 -- at which time, he took full advantage of his change in employment by devoting himself to writing in the witty, droll and affected style made popular by the salon set.

In 1697 he published Histoires ou contes du temps passé, avec des moralités: Contes de ma mère l'Oye (Stories or Tales from Times Past, with Morals: Tales of Mother Goose.)

Despite the book’s significance, there was not much to it -- just eight simple, existing tales which he embellished and imbued with his own particular flair, which was common practice at the time. Interestingly, he released the work in his son’s name, rather than his own, stirring ongoing debate regarding his son’s involvement in the storytelling process.

Thanks to the untiring efforts of the website Sur la Lune, these tales are available for online reading via the following links: • Bluebeard • Cinderella • Donkey Skin • The Fairies • Griselda • Little Red Riding Hood • Little Tom Thumb • Ludicrous Wishes • Puss in Boots • Ricky of the Tuft • Sleeping Beauty in the Wood If you’d prefer to download The Tales of Mother Goose in its entirety, visit this link, generously made available to the public by the Gutenberg Foundation.

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Illustrations by Monique Gorde graciously scanned and posted on the web by Pretty Books at Live Journal Cendrillon (Cinderella)

Le petit chaperon rouge (Little Red Riding Hood)

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La belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty)

Peau d'Âne (Donkeyskin)

Barbe Bleu (Bluebeard)

Les Fées (The Fairies or Diamonds and Toads)

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Unleash the Dragon!...

Recipes & images from The Alkaline Sisters

Salad of Dragon Fruit, Pomegranate & Macadamia with Creamy Mint & Lime Dressing Yield: 2 large salads • The salad 4 cups fresh greens, I used mache • 1 dragon fruit, skin removed and diced • seeds of 1 fresh pomegranate • 1/2 cup raw macadamia nuts • 1 avocado, sliced Method: Divide greens between 2 large bowls or plates and top with remaining ingredients. Serve with dressing on the side and add as needed.

• The dressing 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • juice & zest of one fresh lime • juice of 1/2 lemon • 5 stems fresh mint, leaves and stems • 1/2 avocado • 2 tsp agave or 3 drops liquid stevia, as you may • pinch sea salt • 2-3 tbsp filtered water for consistency Method: Place all ingredients in a blender and combine until mint is pureed. Mmmm… this dressing is sooo yummy! I like it with papaya and greens too–try it with some of your favourite salads.

Dragon Fruit Creme • 1/4 c fresh coconut water • meat of one fresh coconut • meat of one dragon fruit (1 slice for garnish reserved) • 1/2 tsp vanilla • 1 tsp agave syrup & 3 drops stevia or both as you may • 1/3 cup cashews- soaked 30 mins and drained Method: Blend well in high speed blender, garnish with a piece of dragon fruit with the pretty skin on and serve. This tends to thicken a bit if it stands for a while but is best served same day to benefit from all the fresh nutrients.

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...fruit

a

Story of Dragons

by Lyle Dagnen - part 1 of 4 Walking up the sidewalk, hearing the occasional scrape of her heel, she thought of all the days as a child she had run all the way to her great grandmother's house.

She barely remembered the old woman, a late-in-life child in a family of late-in-life children, the great grandmother was somehow ancient to her for all the time she had known her. She now knew that the great grandmother had not been as ancient as her childlike mind had perceived her to be. It had been a child's silly notion of age. It was the great grandmother who had encouraged her to go to the attic and find the treasures located there.

She stopped outside the ornate, iron gate to look at the house. She was surprised to feel a smile break out on her face. She smiled so rarely these days; she found the expression quite pleasing. Opening the gate without a noise had been a game when she was a child and she attempted to execute the maneuver now. She found herself giggling as the gate silently opened and she entered the spacious yard filled with oaks, maples and ginkgo trees. Ancient orchard trees in the back, along with red bud and dogwood blooms made, the spring time dress the house in a kind of lace that only nature could provide.

The house had come to her though a tangled maze of sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and finally, the list had identified her as the lucky owner of a present day dinosaur of a house.

A whole herd of people could live in the house with almost complete privacy. Her great great grandfather had been a rich man; he had built the house thinking this small town might grow to be a big town. Through a series of events placing the town in the wrong place at the wrong time, the best the town had ever achieved was to be a bedroom community to a booming economic metropolis. Now she had to decide if she wanted to stay, to sell, or to rebuild. The best choice seemed to be one she could not make on her own, but she knew if she sold the house for what a company offered her, the house would be all but a memory when she signed on the dotted line. She would have money, that was for sure, but so much would be lost when the house was gone. The house was old like her. You didn't destroy something just because it was old.

The front steps had offered possibilities of so many games as a child and seemed now to be rather steep to her and not quite the adventure she had once thought them to be. Putting her hand on the rail she climbed to two old, double doors; fishing the key out of her pocket, the sudden quiet in the day made the lock turning sound more of a clap of thunder than a click. The nature of the construction of the house had made it forever cool in the summer; she felt wrapped in the blessed coolness. The old man liked light, there were windows all over the place allowing the daylight to enter providing a glow to the inner surfaces of the ancient house that no trick of ancient or modern lighting could provide. She closed her eyes, and waited to hear the house begin to talk to her. After a few seconds, the noises of the house began to break the silence. Believing in ghosts and spirits, she wondered what exactly they were trying to say to her. She always had wondered that, even as a child.

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Walking through the house her hand trailed over the carved wood, she stopped to look at the pictures on the walls and admired the fine cut glass pieces that had accumulated over the years. The silver was tarnished, but still held a white glow as the light reflected around the rooms. China cabinets held collections of various brides' wedding china and crystal. The furniture was made when hand-crafting was the pride of the furniture maker. The dining room table was huge and could be made larger with the addition of leaves that matched the table's wood; a banquet of relatives had been served many times over the years; no one cared to gather on holidays anymore. Walking into the kitchen always made her smile, a previous family owner had seen to a modernization of the kitchen; it was an anachronism in the house. As a warped sense of humor, the pantry held the wood burning stove and the icebox from the old kitchen; a little museum to remind the occupants of the house of what it had once been.

She smiled and stepped onto the large screened back porch.

Wisteria covered large trellises; the purple blooms were beautiful, the early gardens were blooming and beautiful, though untended.

scattered onto the jumble that was this room. She felt compelled to go to the small trunk sitting atop a large steamer trunk. "Hum," she said aloud. "Wonder what's in here?" She laughed because she was talking aloud to herself; silently she questioned her sanity. She always said those words, the words she had uttered the first time she saw the box sitting there in the attic. The box was so ancient it was ageless. It held the most unique of treasures. The longer she was near the box, the more she remembered about the box. It was calling to her; an old friend calling her name.

Walking to the bottom of the stairs in the entrance hall, looking up to the turn to the second floor, the soft ticking of the clock seemed to urge her to go up. The front stairs, unlike the back stairs in the kitchen, were constructed so tightly and exactly that there was no noise as she ascended.

The upper floors were a bit warmer than the first floor, but they were still comfortable. She had started feeling like the house's owner. Should I air condition the place? She shook her head as she stepped onto the landing and nearly jumped out of her skin! Someone had hung a full length mirror on the opposite wall and for an instant she thought she had a visitor.

Catching her shocked breath, she laughed because she never recognized herself when she first saw her reflection unexpectedly.

The trunk was very small, as trunks go. It was a great treasure, but small. It seemed to be made of wood, with brass fixtures and nails holding the leather bindings. It was smooth, warm like the air in the attic. She stood with her arms around the small case, almost an embrace. There were no smells of ancient decayed leather, items being closed too long away from the air, or appearances so delicate that human touch seemed unwelcome. Instead, there was a familiar feeling that this book was her story and she was welcome to possess it. She found that she was smiling; she lifted the book from its place and turned to find a seat, to look through the pages. Once again, as always, when the story enveloped her, the attic, as she looked around, had become a magical place with dust motes floating looking like faeries flying in the shafts of golden sun.... (see page 70 for part 2)

She had prided herself on aging gracefully, but in her mind she was never the fifty-eight years that she was. She was forever twenty-five in her mind's eye. Having recovered from her shock, she made an impulsive decision to finish the journey by going to the attic. The attic held the collected remnants of the whole family's life time. She knew she would have to go through the relics, but that was rainy day activity and she would take her time doing that. She paused as she realized she was once again thinking as if she were moving into this old house.

For some reason, the attic door was a short door; anyone over five feet tall had to stoop to enter the fourth floor room that ran the length of the house. The sun came in the windows built into the gables of the house; filtered through the limbs of the tall oaks, the beams of light were broken and -41

In the box, wrapped in a silken cloth that never seemed to age was an old book. It had been an old book hundreds of years ago. A book as old as time itself. The Book of Dragons. Only a dragon rider could read the book, only a dragon rider could open the book. Only a dragon rider could make the journey to the valley of the dragons. In the line of dragon riders, the next was always recognized by the present rider. She knew the next dragon rider was her grandson as she reached for the book. If not for her promise to 'Zar, she would have already passed on the information to the boy.

Transforming harsh reality into dreams come true

The Magic of

Marie-Chantal Cadieux

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If you’re a regular reader of this magazine, you’ve seen a costumed image of her in each and every one of our issues to date. In fact, I often quip that no siren publication would be complete without her! She embodies so much of la vie sirene (the siren life), and in so many ways. Proficient in a staggering number of media, she’s a highly skilled professional artist, teacher, actress, fashion model, comedienne, photographer, writer and mermaid performer who’s interested in calligraphy, illumination, metal casting, pottery, stain-glass work, and more. She’s also a medieval re-enactor who’s into extreme sports, mainly water sports, because, unsurprisingly, she is a “mermaid at heart.” In fact, she was crowned International Mermaid Queen in 2012.

The following is a mere hint of the incredible talent and body of work conjured by Marie-Chantal Cadieux. The females pictured are all her. The objects and projects were all created by her. And now, thanks to her patience in answering our interview questions, you can learn a little about the woman behind the magic.

by Joy de Vivre You've had so many glamorous, career experiences: modeling, acting, traveling... creating and re-creating art and beauty...

And so I was tickled to read that after college you lived the farm life. Can you describe that experience and how it molded your character?

Actually, I grew up in the country and, as a kid, most of my uncles had farms; some had dairy farms, some raised pigs, others raised chickens. I’ve never been much of a city person, I love animals. I’m also the kind of person that lives the moment, takes chances and goes for whatever experience sounds rejuvenating and rewarding.

I went on a trip to Cuba, met someone I instantly connected with, who owned a dairy farm in New Brunswick; I wanted to know him better and I felt there was a chance he could -43

always felt a sense of peace there. It’s the place where happiness never runs out, everywhere you look. There’s something about the immensity of it all that makes you forget everything else in the world. It’s majestic, powerful, yet so serene at the same time. The energy and Earth shake, the falls make you feel like you’re both at the center of the universe and at the top of the world. It makes you realise just how tiny and fragile we are, forces you to reflect on your life and count your blessings. There’s a mystic force about the place that makes some people wanna end their life there, defy it by attempting the impossible and acquire fame, and make others wanna get married and start a new life there. I went back there again just a couple weeks ago. It just never gets old.

I see that many of your stunning images were shot by your son. What's it like collaborating and working with him on your creative productions? bring something different and positive to my life, so I followed him, no questions asked. And he did, for a while. I would have been just as happy living on the farm—if he would have turned-out to be the one—as I would have been living in a beach house hut or in a fancy city penthouse. It doesn’t matter where life takes you and what you do, as long as you’re surrounded by the right people and that you wake up in the morning loving what you do.

You mention on your website a "favorite city in the whole world." Can you share the name of the city as well as what it is about it that holds such a special place in your heart?

The city I was referring to was Niagara Falls.

For a long time in my life, it represented a dream that was unreachable, even though it’s only 7 hours away from where I grew up. In my mind, only the rich kids got to go there. The first time I managed to go, my son was about 5 years old. I fell in love with the place and the fact that it’s in Ontario made me feel close to my roots somehow, so it always felt like home, like I belonged. I’ve been going back there once or twice a year for a long time, as I’ve

To be quite honest; he hates it! Hehe!

I’ve actually worked as a model most of my life and later became a photographer myself.

Photography has always given me the possibility to create a world where I wanted to be and freeze that moment in time forever.

Problem is, though I’ve done it pretty often, it’s hard to keep taking self-portraits when you can’t see what you’re recreating. I couldn’t afford to keep paying photographers to do it for me so, at some point, I taught my son how to handle the camera for me. I taught him all the mathematical basics & essential image composition rules at a very young age; I’d set everything like I wanted, showed him the frame I needed, and he just had to press the button for me. He’s been doing it for so long that I no longer have to show him what I want or need, he knows how my mind thinks and can now see what I see. Problem is, he’s so fed-up with doing it and sees it so much as a chore, that I now have to pay him to do it! Haha! But that’s all right, I still get better results than when anyone else attempts to read my mind, so he’s still the one I prefer to hire for any job!

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At this point in your career, which of your artistic endeavors do you enjoy most?

Wow, that’s a tough one! I don’t think there’s anything I enjoy most, as everything I do or ever did was always a dedicated passion at first. I continuously thrive to learn and try new things so I just can’t keep doing the same thing for a long period of time. I sometimes go back to old passions if the inspiration strikes me, but I generally look forward to new experiences. I love to be challenged and prove to myself that nothing is impossible, unless you convince yourself of it. I believe I can do and achieve anything if I set my mind to it. The only obstacle to myself would be myself.

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You portray so many distinct and intriguing personas. Which are closest to your own personality?

Each and every persona I choose to portray is a part of me or represents a feeling /a dream / a fantasy I long for or need to express. No matter how much people deny it, there’s good and evil in everyone, it’s just a matter of choosing what you wanna let out, what tools you need to contain it and how much of it you wanna display to the world. I’m extremely expressive so I choose to show who I am, how I see things and how I feel with concrete images or words. I express myself through arts, through costuming, through writing and through acting. People generally think that I’m wearing a mask and that I’m never myself

happiness, challenges and a feeling of accomplishment. So I’m moving on. I’m not sure where to right now, but life always brings me to better and more exciting paths to travel, so I’m not really worried. I’m the kind of person that would be content to live in a hammock on a beach anyhoo. I’ve been homeless before and as long as I have dreams, goals, hope and love in my heart, I never run out of anything, I have everything I need and everything I need to give.

What are you most looking forward to?

when it’s the complete opposite; I’m showing and exposing my very soul and my feelings in a way most people will never dare to do.

What does a typical Marie day look like?

I can’t really answer that question, as I despise routine and every day is always a new adventure and opportunity to do new things for me. Even if I’m not working and I stayed at home for a few days, there’s not a single day in my life that’s ever been quite like the day before ‘cause every day bring new dreams, new pain, new ideas, new research, new problems, new goals and new tomorrows.

What are you working on currently?

As I’ve mentioned before, I can’t stand routine and every now and then I feel the need to change careers and turn my entire life around; I’m at one of those turning points right now. At this time I do lots of mermaid entertainment, I cover lots of charity events, I’m working on several costumes at a time for up-coming costume events and other public animations, but I’ve decided that my main jobs, which have been working as an actress and as an art teacher for many years, no longer bring me

I’ve had a bucket list for most of my life, which was quite heavy. I’m the kind of person that needs to see, try or taste everything at least once. My main phobia is not knowing everything there is to know, not to try everything there is to try, not to see everything there is to see and to miss out on something worthy of living or experiencing. I fear ignorance more than death itself. I’m an artist so I haven’t had a cent for most of my life. I go from commission work to commission work and often have a hard time making ends meet. But even though I struggle financially, I will never let money get in the way of me making my dreams a reality and making my son’s dreams a reality.

If there’s a will, there’s a way they say. So slowly but surely, I’m striking stuff down that bucket list.

So far I’ve done anything from jumping off a plane to go scuba diving, going on a cruise, seeing the Eiffel tower, flying a hot air balloon, swimming with dolphins, parasailing, sky-gliding, touching ancient ruins, zip-lining over the jungle, seeing the Statue of Liberty, piloting a plane, eating cactus, windsurfing, taking my son to Disney & Universal, becoming a mermaid, living in the middle ages, being crowned International Queen, horseback riding in the ocean, getting a role in a big movie, singing in front of thousands of people, sailing the ocean, etc, etc, etc… Next on my list would be to swim with sharks, to go to Atlantis in the Bahamas, to ride a Camel in Egypt, to see the Acropolis by sunset, to move where it’s warmer, to find the one I’ve been seeking for all my life, to bring flowers to Marilyn’s grave, to zip-line over the Grand canyon, to kite-surf, etc, etc, etc…

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Last, what would you like your legacy to be?

I had a pretty traumatic childhood and the abuse led me to a nasty world no kid should ever be forced into. It has ruined pretty much the first 30 years of my life either by the consequences it had on my life, on my own actions ‘cause I didn’t know better, by the pain and scars it left or the anger and resentment I had to overcome. I’m slowly writing my biography in the form of an informative book.

I’m hoping it will help others overcome this kind of situation with better tools & knowledge than I had. I also want others to know why this kind of things sometimes happen, as it’s way beyond anyone’s beliefs.

I’ve devoted 16 years of my life volunteering in a woman’s center, offering support, help and hope to others. I’m hoping that what I’ve been through will not have been lived in vain, I want all these girls and boys to know that there’s a giant that lives within them and that nothing nor anyone can ever take that away from them if they don’t let them. You can use any door you want to escape it all; mine was arts and history.

Egyptian goddess costume photo credits: Claude Lupien Campagna

To be part of the living fantasy Marie creates, visit her website and her Facebook page.

P.S. When looking through her breathtaking images that follow, keep in mind that she created all of the costumes and art shown.

Proof that she really does wield magic.

All images are the copyrighted property of Cadieux Creations.

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..

..

The Marchen March On

Märchen — folktale characterized by elements of magic or the supernatural, such as the endowment of a mortal character with magical powers or special knowledge; variations expose the hero to supernatural beings or objects. The German term Märchen, used universally by folklorists, also embraces tall tales and humorous anecdotes; although it is often translated as “fairy tale,” the fairy is not a requisite motif.

Märchen usually begin with a formula such as “once upon a time,” setting the story in an indefinite time and place. Their usual theme is the triumph over difficulty, with or without supernatural aid, of the one least likely to succeed. The characters are stylized—wicked stepmothers, stupid ogres, or handsome princes. The situations are familiar to the listeners; i.e., European Märchen reflect the economic and domestic arrangements of peasants and simple workmen, such as millers, tailors, or smiths. Those of ancient origin may reflect archaic social conditions, such as matriarchy, primitive birth and marriage customs, or old forms of inheritance. The hero, however poor or friendless, has easy access to the king and may, through luck, cleverness, or magic information, win the king’s daughter in marriage and automatically inherit the kingdom.

Versions of these stories, sometimes almost identical, have been found all over the world. Their origin is unknown. They have been subjected to literary reworking from very early times. Interest in the serious study of Märchen developed in the early 19th century. The first systematic attempt to transcribe and record them verbatim from oral tradition was the collection Kinder-und Hausmärchen (1812–15) of the Brothers Grimm, popularly known as Grimm’s Fairy Tales. [source: Brittanica.com] image: Beyond This World by violscraper on Deviantart

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Stag

(see page 28 for part 1)

Stag looked around. Nothing seemed to change. Tears flowed out of his eyes.

He thought he was so hungry that he was hallucinating now.

He woke up early the next morning. He looked around the house to see if his dad was awake. He didn't see or hear anything. He went into the kitchen and prepared himself something to eat. He brought it down to his room, and ate it slowly. It was like heaven. That is when he heard the heavy footsteps above him.

Stag was satisfied by what he ate, but was now scared that if his dad found out, that he would get the beating of a life time.

The basement door opened.

"BOY!" He heard his father bellow out.

"Get up here NOW!" he roared.

Without hesitation Stag scuttled up to his father, who was tapping his foot at the top of the stairs, the sun making him look like an angel of death.

"Yes, Dad, what's wrong?" asked Stag, scrubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Sit down. I am fixing you something to eat. I heard your stomach growling all night long, it drove me nuts," hissed the man, pointing to the table as he headed into the kitchen to make his son a meal.

Stag’s eyes widened. He didn't know what to say or do. He sat down at the table while his father fixed him some eggs and bacon, and set it down in front of him.

Stag ate it all up, not even leaving behind a single crumb. When he was done he looked at his father and hesitantly said,” Thank you, Dad. That was very good."

He thanked him wholeheartedly.

His dad grunted and sat down at the table and sipped his beer. "You have another long day ahead of you, son. I am not -53

- Part 2 of the original fairy tale by EJ Sankey playing around with you," he growled, crushing the can and standing to get another can from the always stocked fridge.

thankful his father was too doped-up to move.

Satisfied, he lay there and eventually passed out.

Knowing what his father was, Stag didn't push it. "What would you like me to do today, Sir?" he asked, placing his dish in the dishwasher.

Later that night, he got a visit from another bright light, but instead of a smiling face, this time, it was a face of concern. Stag sat up and looked at the light. "May I ask who you are?" he asked the bright light.

"The grass needs mowing today. All seventy-five acres of it. I know your scrawny ass can't handle it, but I fed you well, so you better do a good job,” he said, berating his son.

Stag swallowed hard and looked out of the window at the huge property. It would take him hours to get the chore done!

"You better get moving, boy, or the belt will be your best friend tonight," threatened the foul tempered man, heading into the living room to nurse his beer.

"I am the second sister. I am here to grant you the second wish that you need," the light said in a graceful way.

Stag sat there and thought about what he needed most at that time.

That is when it hit him.

"I would like my own room. With a bed, a closet, and maybe my very own dresser?" he asked in a questioning voice.

Stag got up and ran to get the pushmower and immediately started mowing.

Again the woman in the light blinked twice and disappeared.

The entire day passed, it was well past ten at night when Stag heard his father calling for him. He looked around, he just had a little more to go. His stomach dropped in dread knowing that his father would beat him for not getting the last few acres. He closed his eyes, wiped his forehead and wished for the best as he turned for the house.

Stag, not knowing what to expect, closed his eyes and fell back asleep, not dreaming of anything the entire night.

"BOY! Come and get your supper now," shouted his father.

Stag brought the mower to the side of the shed and headed inside. He hurried through washing up and raced to the table. His father, without any expression on his face, without saying a word, put a heaping plate of food in front of him.

Stag wanted to say thank you, but was fearful of what his father might do, so he just ate, and headed to the basement to his small bed in the corner.

He was

The next morning his father woke him up. "BOY!" he roared loudly, causing Stag to jerk awake and dart up the stairs to his father.

"Yes, Father?" he asked, his voice stronger for once.

His father was putting breakfast down on the table. He looked up and growled, "Eat. You have a long day ahead of you."

Stag didn't hesitate, and sat down. He picked up his fork and just ate. It was so good, he never had food two days in a row like that.

"You know that room at the end of the hall?" grunted the man, snapping open the morning paper.

Stag looked at his father. "Yes, Dad," answered Stag, looking up from his meal.

"You have to clean it out today," he ordered, before disappearing being the pages of the newspaper.

Afraid to ask why, Stag just nodded his head and hurried to finish his breakfast.

When he was finished, he washed his plate, and headed upstairs.

He began to clean out the room at the end of the hall. It was full of old furniture and boards. It took him all day to move everything.

His father shouted for him to come downstairs. "Boy, come here I have something for you," his father bitterly said as he stood at the bottom of the stairs.

Stag ran down stairs. "Yes, Dad?" he asked, panting from the hard work he put into his day’s chore. He felt of serge of fear course through his veins as he looked up to see his father’s expression.

It was an expression of sheer disgust and anger.

"See this bed?" his father snapped, jerking a finger at the bed.

Stag nodded his head. "Yes," he answered, his throat dry.

"Go move it into that room," he ordered.

Stag looked at it in disbelief, his very own bed. He immediately started to drag it up the stairs.

His father got great pleasure watching his son struggle, as he moved the bed up the stairs and down the hallway into the now empty room. Stag immediately set it up in the corner of the room. His father followed him with a dresser.

coming. He thought long and hard and it came to him just as he climbed into bed.

The next day he heard his father shouting for him.

"I know what I am going to say when I get my last wish,” he whispered to himself.

"BOY!" he shouted loudly.

"A boy your age should have his own room."

He closed his eyes and hoped to see that last bright light.

Stag got up and raced downstairs. He couldn't wait to see his nice dad.

Floored by this, Stag went and grabbed some fresh sheets from the linen closet and fixed up the bed to his liking.

Later that night the third bright light came to him with a loving face.

"Thank you, Sir," he said in a shy, but grateful, tone.

That night Stag took the first shower he had had in a long time. A fresh bed deserved a fresh, clean body. Stag was happy with the two wishes that he had received, and he knew he had one more

Stag sat up in bed and before the bright light could ask him 'what he needed at the time', he blurted out his wish.

"I wish for my dad to be nicer, please."

The loving face in the bright light smiled and blinked her eyes twice and disappeared.

However when he got to the kitchen, he got a good breakfast, and yet another chore. Stag didn't get it. He wished for his dad to be nicer and yet he seemed to be the same. Confused by this, Stag did his chore.

Months passed, and still no change from his dad. He still feared him greatly. Stag didn't get it. Then it happened, the one fateful day that changed his life forever.

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A knock came on the door while they were eating dinner. His father got up to see who it was. They were miles away from anything. Who on earth could this be and why? his father thought angrily, annoyed. When he opened the door there was a woman standing there.

"What do you want?" his father asked in a nasty vile voice.

The woman walked inside without saying a word or being invited, and looked around. She had long thick brown hair and beautiful green eyes. She was wearing a jacket vest, sweater, jeans and black sheepskin boots. Stag got up from the table to get a better look at the woman. A huge smile beamed across his face. He recognized her, she was the face that he saw that last night of his last wish. He finally understood. It must have taken her months to become the woman standing in front of him at that very moment.

She looked at Stag’s father. "Oh honey, I have a lot of work to do with you."

Infuriated by the woman he grabbed her by the wrist and tried to throw her out. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but you are not welcome here. Get out," he said, spitting through gritted teeth.

The woman gently pulled her wrist away from him, and without so much as batting an eye, made him sit down with the wave of her hand. "No,” she simply said.

Stag, for the first time in a long time, felt a sense of peace and tranquility fill the room. Even with the the snarling bear of a man sitting there trying to get up from the chair.

Stag walked over to his father and put his hand on his shoulder. "Dad, it is okay. She is here to make this house better," he said, smiling.

His dad tried to lunge at him. He wanted to throw him into the wall so hard it made a dent. But he couldn’t. It was like an invisible force was holding him there. He was becoming angrier and angrier. No one told him what to do, ever.

"Boy, if you know what is good for you, you will shut your mouth right now."

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The woman looked at Stag's father.

"No! If you know what is good for you, you will shut your mouth," she hissed.

Fighting against the invisible force that was holding him there, Stag's father flew into a rage and pulled his arm back to punch on his son. Stag didn't move, he didn't cower, he didn't even close his eyes. He just stood there and looked at his dad.

"No, she is right, if you know what is good for you, you will sit back down,” Stag said, standing up to his father for the fist time ever, without any fear or tears in his voice.

Without hesitation, with the flick of her hand, the woman threw Stag's father against the wall. She walked up to him and looked deep into his eyes.

"I see the hurt in your eyes.” She looked a little deeper. “And the pain. It burns a hole right into your soul. Sit down and this will be the first day that we fix this.”

She smiled.

"Who are you, where did you come from?" Stag's father asked in fury.

The woman winked at Stag. "My name is Hanna, and that is all you need to know right now."

Stag smiled and for the next year the woman worked with his father. Any time he would raise his hand to hit Stag or harm him in any way for any reason, the woman would stop him. She did it with a strong, loving hand. It seemed like for ever before Stag's father seemed to finally give in, to finally become a more peaceful man.

Slowly good things began to happen.

Stag’s father began taking him fishing, and showing him how to fix cars, and even once in a while he would take him to go get ice cream. Stag no longer feared his violent-tempered father. It seemed that everything was going to be okay.

It even got to the point where Stag's father asked Hanna for her hand in marriage.

Stag couldn't explain what happened that fateful night he first saw the smiling bright light. He couldn't explain how he got to where he had a bright future. But what he did know that if you wish for something that is pure and clean, your wish will come true. And that fairy tales are not just in story books.

THE END

A Building Ritual for the Full BEAVER Moon November 17, 2013

by Lore Raymond

Rewind...The name “Full Beaver Moon” goes back to the years of the Algonquin Indians and the American revolutionary colonists to keep track of time. To survive the harsh winters, men of all backgrounds set beaver traps to ensure a supply of warm winter furs so as not to freeze to death. Remember, there was no shopping mall at the time to grab a blanket or fleece parka! The beaver is a nocturnal herbivore and the world’s largest rodent that was also actively preparing for its own winter survival. It is also called the Wolf Moon, Frosty Moon, Snow Moon, and Dark Moon.

Animal Medicine...Beavers are thought to hold some of the most powerful “medicine” in the animal kingdom. If you dream of beavers, or have them on your property, here are some interesting thoughts to ponder according to Ina Woolcot: “Beaver's medicine brings you the wisdom of creativity, maintaining the ability to be productive in all ways by not limiting your options, being persistent, using available resources, finding and using alternate ways of doing tasks, master builder of all things, not damming the flow of experiences in life, achievement through completion of tasks, understanding the dynamics of group work, protecting, cooperation, fertility and new promise.

Beavers are good at teamwork and work together cooperatively to construct their homes. From beaver we can learn that we can create and make things a reality most effectively and powerfully when all involved appreciate every individual’s talents, and work together harmoniously.”

Now…In recognition of the information, enjoy this Building Ritual to celebrate the Full Beaver Moon:

Step One: Preparation Gather these items if you can…and let go of perfection of having to get ALL of them.

1. *Animal image and/or symbol of a beaver and/or wolf; 2. *White candle/matches 3. *Twigs or wooden popsicle sticks 4. *Bottled water (for drinking and fire prevention—I am a forever Girl Scout.)

5. Colors: gray, sea-green 6. Flowers: blooming cacti, chrysanthemums 7. Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms, hyacinth, narcissus, peppermint, lemon (and/or peppermint & lemon hard candy to enjoy during the Building Ritual) 8. Stones: topaz, hyacinth, lapis lazuli 9. Trees: alder, cypress (to be near and/or items made from these trees or any wood item that is dear to you) *Strongly suggested -56

Step Two: A Building Ritual Dress in gray or sea-green or for women, use a shawl with these colors…dab one of the fragrances on you and perhaps enjoy a piece of hard candy in the peppermint or lemon flavor …arrange whatever items you’ve gathered on your altar…be it inside or outside. Trays are great for this!

• Light your white candle.

• Breathe…drink water…breathe….clear and cleanse all thoughts and release busy-ness and business.

• Enjoy staring at the moon…allow your thoughts to float…no need to remember them….

• Breathe…drink water…breathe…then: Release…think of all the things you chose to release symbolically into the candlelight…or an actual fire—better yet! See the flames carrying all these dark and lower energies far, far away from you and the present moment and affirm:“I bless and thank all these energies now leaving me and I know that I am lighter, stronger, a happier without these burdens to carry.”

Believe...holding one of the stones suggested above (or any special stone/rock/crystal), affirm: “The combined intelligence, beauty, and power of Nature and the Universe now create a wisdom that compliments and reinforces mine to support me in all ways, always.”

Understand…holding one of the stones suggested above (or any special stone/rock/crystal) affirm: “I understand that I will more easily create positive results in my life when I am open like the Full Moon, reflecting and seeing myself, others, challenges, and opportunities from a Higher View in all ways, always.”

Decide…holding one of the stones suggested above (or any special stone/rock/crystal) affirm: “I decide to allow my desires to be heard by the Nature and the Universe and I am open to happy, unexpected surprises, always, in all ways!”

Forgive…holding a flower suggested above, scan to see what “bumps” or “pinches” arise in your mind’s eye that feel less than happy in your body and affirm: “I easily and gently forgive myself and others who have hurt me in the past so that I can move on into this new full moon night and month.” Symbolically see yourself giving the flower to yourself or the individuals for this step as a symbol of the forgiveness sought and now unfolding like the flower’s petals or blooms.

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Ask…Holding the item of wood suggested above, ask for what you truly desire…then build a small diorama, collage, or whatever using your twigs, popsicle sticks, and/or other items from your altar…let you child come forth and play to create soothing new, different, and perfect! Affirm as you are building: “I co-creatively build what I seek most in my life as the Universe conspires to support me in all ways, always.”

Accept…Holding the animal image/item suggested above, affirm: “I now happily build upon the feelings of this Full Beaver Moon to know, relax, allow, and accept that the wonderful working power of Nature and the Universe now respond to my every need in all ways, always.”

I AM GRATEFUL, I AM. Amen Breathe…drink water…breathe….stare at the moon… breathe…

“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” ~Zen Proverb (It sounds like the beaver might have known something about this as well!)

Lore is Founder & Chief Inspirator of Women as Visionaries. Connect with her and share your experience in all sorts of exciting places: • loreraymond@yahoo.com • Women as Visionaries with Lore Raymond Magazine - The Facebook page serves to empower women through the wisdom of nine gifted contributors who share spiritual inspiration and information • Women as Visionaries group on Facebook is a vibrant open page for Divine Dialogue where a daily VisionQuestion is asked

Lore’s Suggested Fairy Tales that Include the Moon: •

Magic Moon (original title: Märchenmond, meaning "Fairy Tale Moon") is a young adult fantasy novel written

by German authors Wolfgang and Heike Hohlbein in 1982.The novel tells the story of the land that people travel to when they dream, and how a young boy finds courage and strength in fighting, but also in accepting, his own deepest fears and nightmares.

•

“The Buried Moon” or “The Dead Moon” is a fairy tale included by Joseph Jacobs in More English Fairy Tales. It is a striking unusual tale, with few variants, and often appearing more mythological than is common for fairy tales. It was collected by Mrs. Balfour from the North Lincolnshire Carrs in the Ancholme Valley; its unusual characteristics made many people doubt its origins as a fairy tale. However, when Mrs. Balfour published her notes, they were generally found reliable, and the Fens proved to have many other unusual legends... ~From Wikipedia

•

Grimm’s Fairy Tales, “The Moon”

•

“East of the Sun and West of the Moon” by Amy Peters is a Scandinavian fairy tale. Many of the Scandinavian countries have fierce winters. The polar bear in this tale is probably a symbol of this cold, windy season.

~ and ~ How Sun, Moon, and Wind Went Out to Dinner, an Indian Fairy Tale by Joseph Jacobs One day Sun, Moon, and Wind went out to dine with their uncle and aunts Thunder and Lightning. Their mother (one of the most distant Stars you see far up in the sky) waited alone for her children’s return.

Now both Sun and Wind were greedy and selfish. They enjoyed the great feast that had been prepared for them, without a thought of saving any of it to take home to their mother–but the gentle Moon did not forget her. Of every dainty dish that was brought round, she placed a small portion under one of her beautiful long finger-nails, that Star might also have a share in the treat.

On their return, their mother, who had kept watch for them all night long with her little bright eye, said, “Well, children, what have you brought home for me?” Then Sun (who was eldest) said, “I have brought nothing home for you. I went out to enjoy myself with my friends–not to fetch a dinner for my mother!”

Moon Wolf by skeelar on DeviantArt

And Wind said, “Neither have I brought anything home for you, mother. You could hardly expect me to bring a collection of good things for you, when I merely went out for my own pleasure.” But Moon said, “Mother, fetch a plate, see what I have brought you.” And shaking her hands she showered down such a choice dinner as never was seen before.

Then Star turned to Sun and spoke thus, “Because you went out to amuse yourself with your friends, and feasted and enjoyed yourself, without any thought of your mother at home–you shall be cursed. Henceforth, your rays shall ever be hot and scorching, and shall burn all that they touch. And men shall hate you, and cover their heads when you appear.”

(And that is why the Sun is so hot to this day.)

Then she turned to Wind and said, “You also who forgot your mother in the midst of your selfish pleasures–hear your doom.

You shall always blow in the hot dry weather, and shall parch and shrivel all living things. And men shall detest and avoid you from this very time.”

(And that is why the Wind in the hot weather is still so disagreeable.)

But to Moon she said, “Daughter, because you remembered your mother, and kept for her a share in your own enjoyment, from henceforth you shall be ever cool, and calm, and bright.

No noxious glare shall accompany your pure rays, and men shall always call you ’blessed."’

(And that is why the moon’s light is so soft, and cool, and beautiful even to this day.)

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Moon INGREDIENTS: • For the Cookies: • 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature • ¾ cup light brown sugar • 1 egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour • ½ teaspoon salt For the Marshmallow Filling: • 2 egg whites • Pinch cream of tartar • Pinch salt • 2/3 cup light corn syrup • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted For the Chocolate Coating: • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate • ¼ cup vegetable oil DIRECTIONS: 1. To Make the Cookies: With a mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and beat at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, add the egg and the vanilla extract, and beat to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour and the salt, and mix just until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in two, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line at least two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat; set aside. Working with one disk at a time, roll out the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2½-inch diameter round cutter, cut out the rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about ½ an inch apart. Refrigerate the cookies (on the baking sheets) for 10 minutes.

3. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on the pans for a couple of minutes, and then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.

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Pies 4. To Make the Marshmallow Filling: Using a mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the the egg whites with the cream of tartar and the salt until firm peaks form, gradually increasing from medium-low speed to medium-high speed as the egg whites gain volume.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the corn syrup over high heat without stirring until it registers 230 to 235 degrees F on a candy thermometer (thread ball stage). Slowly drizzle the hot corn syrup into the egg whites and beat at high speed until glossy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low, beat in the vanilla extract and the powdered sugar.

5. Using either a pastry bag or a spoon, mound about 1½ tablespoons of marshmallow filling into the center of a cookie. Top with another cookie and press lightly to spread the marshmallow to the edges. Add another mound on top of the second cookie, and top with another cookie, again pressing slightly to spread the filling to the edges. Repeat with the rest of the cookies.

6. To Make the Chocolate Coating: Using a double boiler or in the microwave on 50% power and in 30 second increments, melt the chocolate and vegetable oil together until completely smooth. Place the assembled cookies on a wire rack set over a sheet of wax paper.

Spoon the melted chocolate over each cookie so that it runs down the sides and covers most of the cookie.

Allow to set at room temperature for about 2 hours (or refrigerate to speed up the process). Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

[Recipe adapted from Food and Wine via BrownEyedBaker.com]

A Review of Cinder: Book 1 in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

by S.K. Munt Cinder is a modern spin on a very classic and over-spun fairy tail and, for me, will rise up into the ranks of ‘Ever After’ as a facelift that needed to happen.

Fans of both The Hunger Games and The Selection are going to smack their lips together over it. It's a fairy tale and yet nothing like it's namesake fairy tale, short of a significant foot, an interested prince and an undesirable step-family.

To quote Tyra Banks, “This book is what I'd call ‘ugly pretty.’” The heroine is half android and half human. She’s not glamorous, and is endearing because of that, and unfortunately, at the bottom of the social barrel. I want to pat the author on the back for giving amputees a heroine who could possibly kick some interstellar ass. Though it weirded me out at first that she had robot parts, I snapped out of it a few pages in when I realized that her soul was intact, and I would greatly encourage others to put any similar pre-conceptions aside.

Cinder is a terrific example of what a 16 yearold girl is really like — both hopeful and pessimistic, self-loathing, well-meaning and ready to pitch a fit if you try to donate her to medical research. She can be very frustrating and make some decisions that will make you want to stomp on her robot foot, but that's what 16 year old girls do and the author captures that perfectly.

I did not want to put it down. I am so happy to be all excited over a series again. This is great dystopian and there's a terrific mix of magic, mechanical and mayhem in this post-war world that sets it apart from the others I've read. The good guys are likable, the bad guys are thrilling and quite terrifying, and the grey area characters are exactly that - grey. They could go either way and do.

I'm not a sci-fi fan. In fact, I kind of hate it — I always thought of it as an unromantic genre, far removed from my dreams of mermaids and Dread Pirate Roberts, but I liked the angle this writer came from. I found Cinder's genetic/ technical make-up fascinating, especially when the two sides of her come together.

The world building is similar in creative overdose the way The Hunger Games is, which is a great thing! But it's not set in America (dramatic gasp), but 'New Beijing' and the bad guys are from the moon. Isn't that neat? Aren't you just foaming at the mouth to read it now? I was! Nothing against dystopian American societies — they're fantastic to read about — but how fun to swim over to Asia and check out how they're going for once? They're almost always painted as the bad guys in world war situations, so it's lovely to be able to empathize with them! Rest assured however, for those of you who find it hard to connect with non-westernised writing, this book is not drowned in Eastern culture. It seems that every country remaining has lost its specific identity which is kind of nice. If not for the Lunars, you'd think that this dystopian world would have found a way to thrive as one without the oppression of religion or cultural line-crossing guards. And maybe they will if they take the lunars out, and then get over their cyborg racism.

Cinder isn't perfectly executed. It's full of exciting plot twists that, unfortunately, are fairly easy to see coming. One or two things caught me by surprise, but they were unfortunate things I would rather have not happened.

I'm going to give Cinder a solid 4 starts with the potential to be a 6 star series. It's a good mix of drama versus fantasy versus heart-breaking, and will move you if you go with it. In fact, if the series has a happy ending it will probably surpass THG for me Well done Marissa Meyer!

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Biscuits and Honey Butter

from Marla Spellenberg

BISCUITS Ingredients • 2 cup flour • 2 tsp. sugar • 1/2 tsp, salt • 1/2 cup shortening • 1/4 cup Coconut oil (melted) • 4 tsp. baking powder • 2/3 cup milk • 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar Directions 1. Mix dry ingredients in image from Delish.com order given.

2. Cut Crisco into mixture using pastry knife.

3. Add melted Coconut Oil, and blend using pastry knife.

4. Add milk, continue to cut in.

5. Roll or pat on a lightly floured board to about ¾ inch thickness.

6. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush tops with milk.

7. Bake ten minutes at 450 °.

HONEY BUTTER • Soften 1 stick salted butter (organic) • Measure 3 TBSP Honey into bowl, add softened butter, mix together until blended.

• Refrigerate until thickened.

• Use as desired on hot biscuits!

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Entering the Inner Sanctum of the Fairy Tale Realm

Part 2 of our interview with Once Upon a Blog‘s Gypsy Thornton (See page 22 for part 1 of this convivial conversation)

What is the objective behind your fabulous Once Upon a Blog site?

Ah..! *pulls out soap box* Ahem: My objective in starting Once Upon A Blog was to alert people to how often and widely fairy tales are being used today. To show people that fairy tales are not dead, but well and truly alive - and to make sure I (and hopefully others who care) have a front-row seat as fairy tales live, grow

and evolve. Pop culture is where all that is happening. And it will happen without our input if we let it. The more we contribute our "two cents" from the rich resource we love, the richer our society and culture/s will be. The fact that putting pop culture and fairy tales in the same sentence makes people cringe, should show you how important this is. The way I seek to do that is to bring you news of what's happening and keep people informed of trends and uses. That's become a full-time job!

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The Grimm Brothers did this in their own way - they took popular tales, edited them, had them illustrated and collated them into a media that could be spread to many people at the time. They gave tales new life, specifically tailored to their time. And boy, did it work.

Despite all the other important work they achieved in law and language, it's the tales that have stood the test of time best and are now one of the primary sources of fairy tales people go to. If they were alive today I think they'd be working hard online in social media and in entertainment, using our current technology and resources to do the same. The difference between the Grimms and the entertainers of today is that they used their scholarly learning to help them do that. Today our entertainers (like Disney) rarely have the benefit of that discipline and background to draw on and use as a guide, so the results tend to be watered down, or at least so stylized and marketed that connection to other tales all but disappears.

Ideally, I'd love to encourage people who love fairy tales to connect and talk with each other - actively. People from all walks, disciplines and cultures. There is definitely a sense that fairy tales are "old", a historical subject or only worthy of discussion by scholars but it's the "common people" (of which I am one) who have the biggest say in how fairy tales survive and/or thrive through time. It's been shown that the tales that live on in a culture are the ones that define it. That's the magic we have access to and the way we can help people, future generations and societies transform to be their best selves. But we can only do that if we all pitch in, start talking to each other and help where we can.

Conversation ~ Sergey Solomko

Koshchei and Marya Morevna ~ msh (that's the only artist ID!)

If we can get everyone talking I believe we could have a fuller experience and enrich our culture. With all the thousands of tales around the world have to offer, in terms of looking at our past, giving us tools for the present and guides for our future, I would dearly love to

share these tools with society! Real fairy tales are alive and need nurturing as much as any living thing. I feel like it's my job to help fairy tales not only survive, but thrive. I do what I can, particularly via the blog, but it takes a village... "Please help!"

Are there any misconceptions about fairy tales that you'd like to clear up?

I mentioned it before, but it's worth repeating: people believe that fairy tales are old/ancient history, something irrelevant to life or are amusing stories that are only good for children.

None of this is true.

Fairy tales are stories about life, are for all peoples and ages (though there are some details you may wish to skip or rephrase when reading to children) and remain relevant, no matter when or where they are set. They're among society's best tools and guides. They explore all aspects of the human condition, how to transform from one stage of life to the next and what your choices - and possible consequences - are.

Papagena (The Magic Flute) ~ Erin Kelso

But, if you're reading this magazine, there's a good chance you already knew that. ;) There is though, I believe, one, popular misconception in the fairy tale community that needs clearing up: that misconception is that keeping on publishing fairy tales and writing new ones is what needs to happen to keep fairy tales in circulation.

Snow White & Rose Red ~ Mercer Mayer

Brother and Sister ~ Areimold

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Unfortunately, that's only partially true and in many cases can actually add to fairy tales as a whole being ignored, since swaths of words tend to make the average person's eyes glaze over.

It's not about lack of education or that people don't read anymore. Neither of those are true. What it is really about, is how information currently travels.

Thumbelina ~ *hellcorpceo

While publishing volumes may have been the best way in the past - when books were the primary source of spreading information - this is no longer true. People who are interested in spreading tales need to look at the primary forms of information communication and use those. Social media is the best way to communicate, get the news and get things done these days. Even blogs - which are still popular - are no longer as effective as they were. You need to catch people's interest with an interesting image, combined with an intriguing headline - or bite/byte - before they will read your post! We live in a visual and social media age. Memes and images are king.

Web comics, short films, infographics anything in a visual form (I mean, using mainly images rather than words) that can be consumed instantly or minutes at most, has the greatest impact. That's how to spread the word. Once you catch people's interest, that's when you can turn to longer forms of information, articles, stories and books.

How do we do this? We need to create more images. This is one thing that Once Upon A Time is doing very well. No matter how bad the effects or how clunky the writing, the images and key phrases are inspiring fans to create their own "stories", spread the word and encourage others to watch the show. (Click here for a Pinterest board full of examples.)

Building this possibility into the show is genius and it's clearly working. There are many far better written and produced shows on TV but not many are capturing imaginations the way OUAT is. Images plus fairy tale motifs and truisms are powerful.

Vasilisa the Brave ~ Kinuko Y. Craft

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Note: By the way, if you are a poet and can distill words down to a sentence (especially under 140 characters) that's says far more than an average sentence does, you should be delighted. This is your age too. Say it in an appropriate font with a supportive background and you'll see your words everywhere. Add an image and it will move even faster.

If you were to describe your own life in fairy tale terms, how would it look?

That I'm doing my best to ignore the Mirror while whittling a little wooden "doll" to give to my child that he can have with him always to help him...

What upcoming movies or books, etc are you anxiously anticipating?

Аленький цветочек~ Оксана Фомина

I'm extremely curious about the Fables film, as I think that has the potential to change the way a lot of people think about fairy tales, as well as reach a very different demographic.

There are a lot of fairy tale films on the way and though I'm very happy about that, I don't foresee them having a huge impact on the way society views fairy tales for now.

Regarding books, I'm very much looking forward to Serena Valentino's The Beast Within and Heidi Anne Heiner's SurLaLune tale collection in progress, The Grateful Dead.

I'm also looking forward to The Art of Frozen to see all the early research on HCA's The Snow Queen.

The Tinderbox ~ Kay Nielsen

I'm always curious to see what's happening on the networks because TV shows come into people's home every week and that has a huge impact. Although I have my issues with Once Upon A Time and think Grimm isn't quite mainstream enough to be as impactful, I do have my eye on both. The things you have to do... :D

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What about your own projects? What's in the offing from your drawing board?

That secret is hidden in an egg, hidden inside a duck, inside a hare, which is inside a goat... ;) Our editress more or less worships the ground you float above and wants to know how we can ensure our readers get a dose of you in each monthly issue?

I'm ridiculously flattered but I should tell you this flying carpet is borrowed... *looks over shoulder for a trickster in the bushes, waiting to pull the rug out from under me* Regarding regular appearances, perhaps we should consult our resident genies to see if they have ideas on how to make some magic happen. :) (Editorial note: Little does Miss Gypsy know that our upcoming January issue is all about genies! We may wrangle something out of her yet!)

The Little Mermaid ~ Nadezhda Illarionova

To join Gypsy’s enchanted realm, visit her:

Once Upon a Blog site Pinterest boards with ~25k pins!

OuaB Facebook page Twitter Her books & works of fiction including the non-fiction tome I can’t wait to get my hands on: 33 Mistakes Writers Make About Ballet Dancers and perhaps most fun of all,

"CAGES: A Steampunk Retelling of Grimm's Jorinde & Joringel in V Parts with Epilogue" - short series podcast (audio) in 5 episodes with music & SFX. FREE PDF download Postscript — A bit o’ Gypsy trivia — her three main phone ringtones are: Bewitched, The Addams Family and I Dream of Jeannie. That may very well say it all!

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Little Obelia ~ May Gibbs

Nine T ails

by Shannon Lopez - part 1 of 3 Throughout Japanese lore, the power of animals such as the fox is legendary. Known as “kitsune”, it is believed that the fox possess supernatural abilities such as the power to weave illusions and cast spells upon unsuspecting people. They are notorious for taking the form of a man, woman, or child in order to deceive humans and otherwise cause mischief. There are Japanese to this day, especially those in farming districts, who hold firm to these beliefs and even claim to have been personally or to have known someone who has been a victim of a kitsune’s tricks.

As well as possessing magical talents, a kitsune is described in tales to be highly intelligent and can potentially live for hundreds if not thousands of years. There are various classifications of kitsune: v Myōbu: Which are celestial foxes that by their nature are usually benevolent towards humanity. Such foxes were often employed in the service of Inari the God of Rice. v Nogitsune: wild foxes that are known to harass humans and every now and again may use their power to possess humans. v Kyūbi no kitsune: A nine-tailed fox. It is believed that for every 100 or thousand years (depending on the lore) a kitsune lives, it sprouts an extra tail. It is said that upon receiving its ninth tail, the fox gains knowledge of all things and is above all other kitsune, the most powerful. A nine tailed fox can use their powers for either good or ill.

In the spirits of the Kyūbi no kitsune, what will follow below will be an account of nine separate tales. Each gathered from traditional Japanese folk stories depicting the graces and vices of these magical creatures.

First Tail: The Man who married a She-Fox *Found in the Nihon Ryoiki (written in the 8th century) it is believed to be the oldest folk tale regarding fox spirits. This is not an exact translation.

There once was a man who went in search of a good wife. During his travels he came across a beautiful woman standing in a field.

He called to her and asked “Where are you going, sweet lady?”

“I go in search of a good husband.” was her reply.

“Would you be my wife?” He asked.

The woman smiled and said, “Yes, I would.”

The man returned to his home with his new bride and to two lived happily together. As time passed, the wife became pregnant and soon gave birth to a son. At the same time, the man’s dog gave birth to a puppy. The puppy despised the woman and every moment the pup laid eyes on her it barked and growled.

When the day of harvest came, the woman prepared refreshments for the young servant girl who worked in the barn. As soon as the woman entered the barn the mother of the young pup lunged at the wife who in her terror transformed into a vixen and leapt atop a wall in order to escape.

Upon seeing this, the husband was amazed. However, instead of chasing the fox away, the husband cried, “My wife, I love you. Do we not have a son together? I could never forget you, please do not leave me.”

Hearing his plea, the vixen returned to her human form and every night would visit her husband for she loved him as well. And every night when she came to him she wore a long beautiful robe the shade of a soft pink rose. It was then that her husband called his wife kitsune (*ki-tsu-ne) which meant “come, love, sleep”.

This however was not to last. One night the wife did not come to her husband nor did she any time after. She had disappeared to a place unknown. Her husband was heartbroken. Their son however was named Kitsune no Atae, which meant “fox officer”. The boy possessed amazing strength and speed and it is believed his descendants are the Kitsune-no-atae family of the Mino province.

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Second Tail: The Contest between Two Women of Extraordinary Strength *Found in the Nihon Ryoiki.

It came to pass that in the Ogawa Market in the province of Mino there was a woman of incredible strength. He name was Mino no kitsune, a descendant of Kitsune no Atae. She abused her gift of great strength by waylaying merchants on their way to market and thus stole all of their goods.

Soon after, word of Mino no Kitsune’s misdeeds reached the ear of another woman of incredible strength who lived in a nearby village.

Determined to challenge Mino no kitsune, the woman loaded a boat filled with clams and armed herself with vine whips. As she anchored her boat near the market, Mino no kitsune leapt atop the deck of the vessel, intending to steal the clams for herself.

“Where did you come from?” She asked the owner of the boat.

Mino no kitsune received no reply and thus became angry. She rose to strike the woman but instead the other woman took hold of one of her whips and began to beat Mino no kitsune. Knocked down and humiliated, Mino no kitsune raised her hand in surrender.

“I yield!” She cried, “I’m sorry for what I have done.”

The other woman ceased her barrage and demanded that Mino no Kitsune never return to the market. “For if you do so I shall beat you to death.”

From that time after Mino no kitsune never returned and no longer stole from the merchants.

Third Tail: The Grateful Foxes *Copy of original story found in Tales of Old Japan by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford.

One spring day, two friends went out to a field to enjoy their afternoon meal. As they talked they noticed a fox that had brought its young to play. As they watched they also noticed a group of children coming up from the nearby village. Upon seeing the foxes the children chased after them. Though the elder fox managed to escape the cub was captured.

The two friends waved to the children. One of the asked, "what are you planning to do with that fox?"

One of the boys replied, "There is a man in the village that will pay us well for this fox. He will cook it and eat it."

"Well then if its money you want," offered the man, "then I shall pay you twice as much."

The children agreed.

After the children went home the man looked over the cub that had been wounded by the cruel children. After dressing the wound they offered the cub boiled rice from their own bowls. As they waited for the cub to recover they noticed that the old fox had returned.

"Look," pointed one of the friends, "the elder fox has returned for its young. Let us set this cub free."

The man released the cub whereby it ran to it its parent.

Overjoyed at their reunion the foxes bowed their thanks to the two friends and ran back into the woods.

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Sometime later, tragedy befell the man who had rescued the fox cub. His only son had fallen ill with a mysterious disease. The doctor concluded that the boy’s illness could only be cured with the liver taken from a live fox. The parents despaired as they were unwilling to take the life of another creature even if it was to save their own son.

However they offered to pay anyone who went out hunting if they should procure a fox's liver and bring it to their home.

The next day, a messenger arrived. He claimed that he had obtained a live fox's liver and that the doctor had sent him straight away so that the boy's life could be saved.

The parents were delighted. As they took a small jar from the messenger, the liver inside, they thanked the messenger and insisted that he stay the night. The messenger politely refused and took his leave.

In no time at all the boy's health returned. When the doctor returned to the house to check on the boys well-being the parents thanked him for sending the messenger and the cure he carried with him. The doctor was confused.

"Wait a moment," he exclaimed, "I sent no messenger. In fact, I came here to tell you that no such medicine had been found."

The husband and wife were perplexed and wondered at the identity of the one who had saved their son.

That night as the couple slept a young woman appeared before their bed. Awoken by her presence, the man asked who she was.

"I am the spirit of the fox mother whose cub you rescued last spring. I was touched by your kindness and eager to repay you. When your son was taken ill and on the verge of death I did what I could to save him. Your son's disease could only be cured with the liver taken from a live fox so to repay you I killed my cub and his father disguised as a messenger delivered his liver to your house."

The fox shed a tear and disappeared into the darkness.

The wife awoke and asked what had happened. The husband told her the story of the fox mother and the two of them wept. They rose from their beds and recited prayers and offered thanks for the fox's sacrifice. Word spread throughout the town and a shrine was erected in their memory. (see page 82 for part 2)

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Story of Dragons

by Lyle Dagnen - part 2 of 4 (see page 40 for part 1)

She felt a warmth as she held the book to her. It fit her arms like a baby, comfortable and loving. The sun made a place on the floor in the middle of the attic. She had given up sitting on the floor when her joints began to deny her the agility to sit and rise easily. But she took the place on the floor and sat quite easily. Opening the book to the first page, she was amazed to find the announcement of her birth written on parchment in an embellished script featuring dragons and elves and faeries.

This had not been here years ago, it had been the information of her great grandmother. Her page was there now, the names of the other dragon riders below her pages. Butterflies edged the page in delicate colors as she read the announcement as if she did not already know all of the information. She wondered why she had never seen this announcement. She lingered over the beauty of the artist's work. She turned the page, and on another beautifully enlightened page a story began: Once Upon a time there was a warrior princess...

The silence of the attic, the early warmth of the spring day, the light coming though the dormer window created a cocoon that allowed her usual habit with a book to take over. She was no longer in the real world, she was in the world of the story; it made the transformation easy because she did not have time to doubt the power of the magic that was afoot.

Her next awareness was stepping into the entrance of Balthazar's cave. She knew she had been there many times

"red dragon horde" by Craig musselman

and that she would be welcomed this time as she always was. She found her old friend snoozing on a pile of gold that he had collected over the centuries. She was careful not to wake him. She chose the chair that had always been her seat and marveled at the feeling of the soft leather outfit she wore. She smiled in the mirror at the youthful appearance the transformation had allowed her. Settling in the chair she waited for her friend to sense her and to awaken. It only took a few minutes — their connection was strong.

He woke with a smile — a dragon's smile. Speaking in the deep rumbling baritone "Welcome, Little One, I've missed you these years you have been gone."

She smiled and laughed lightly. "I'm having trouble with my memories of all this."

"The spell of forgetfulness takes a while to fall away. I cast it to last a human span of years so that you could return and fulfill the responsibilities that were waiting for you. I trust you have done as you were expected to do." He stretched and yawned.

"I must have, yes. I did the things that were expected of me."

She waited as her memory of her life with Balthazar returned.

She smiled as the dragon rolled on his back and wiggled in the gold, scratching his powerful back.

"Has it been so long in dragon years, that I have been gone?"

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The dragon's sudden laughter caused a burst of fire to blast against the ceiling and splash out into the cave. "Dragon years, what a silly question." He controlled his mirth a bit better. "When you live for hundreds of years, human time is almost nothing, but they aren't dragon years, it's merely the time in this span of reality." He smiled at her, "I've missed you and our adventuring. Are you ready to attend the meeting of the ancients?" He rose and stepped to the threshold, high up in the mountains where he made his home. She stepped up on his mighty forearm and onto his back. Finding her place, she settled in and with a deceptively gentle leap he sailed into the air. The landscape passed below and the air blew past her as they flew swiftly to the meeting place.

The ancients met every year and settled the cases that would be brought before them. No minor disputes these, and it required time to contemplate the actions that would be handed down. The decisions were final and often set in motion trends that would govern and modify the lives of the beings here. Balthazar was a member of the tribunal and thus he could bring his human. The other dragons brought their humans as well. Often the humans were allowed to speak, but they were never allowed to speak against the council's decisions or argue with a member of the council.

Opinions were welcome, but that was all. It always took the humans a while to learn and accept that in this reality, they were not the dominant species, they were a welcome one, but they were not dominate here.

She began to laugh as she realized that he was singing a dragon song of happiness in celebration of her return, and she found that for the first time in a long time, she was happy. Truly happy.

The ragged walls of the tribunal's meeting place appeared on the green landscape below. In relaxed, slow circles they came softly to the ground. He bent to set her on the ground while he went to check on the arrivals and to pick up the documents that would guide the dragons as they acted as a governing group for the dragons. Rappleadrazzle, a beautiful yellow dragon with green eyes deposited his human near the place where she was standing. He was new since last she was here.

The other human that had belonged to Rappleadrazzle had gone back home and had been killed in one of the many wars that humans seemed to wage.

Rappleadrazzle had been brokenhearted and almost inconsolable. He had screamed to the heavens he would never have another human companion until they could be made undying. Walking in her direction, she smiled at the rather handsome young man, forgetting that she too appeared young and attractive. "Are you Immortal then?"

and black moved in the forest of ancient and gigantic trees. Her hand came reflexively to her sword, her senses alert to danger.

"He's on trial today. Put your sword away,” the young man told her.

"What has he done wrong?" she asked.

Suddenly the power of a dragon plea for help swept over her and brought her to her knees. A dragon rarely ever asks for help and when the appeal came to a human it almost always swept them off their feet. She sat very still waiting for the pain to subside as she soaked up the words the large black dragon had sent to her.

What would Balthazar say to her, how could she answer this plea and not offend the dearest friend she had ever known?

She saw him coming and she knew that he understood what had just happened to her.

She had avoided telepathic communications since her return and the Black Dragon's message seemed to oppress her brain inside her skull. His whole story was suddenly there; the turmoil was enough to send her into insanity if it had not been for Balthazar’s intervention. He could not remove it from her but he could help her hold on until she could resume stability.

The young man knelt beside her. "Are you going to be all right?"

"Yes." It was more a moan than a word. Speaking in her mind to Balthazar “Do not be angry with the Black Dragon, he has asked for my help. I was not ready for the sudden transfer of information, but I will be OK. Don't threaten him."

"You cannot speak for him, you know the conditions and consequences of speaking before the council."

"You taught me better than to cower and hide behind my desires. You taught me to stand for what is right and good no matter the consequences."

"The time has been so short...Ah, Little One, why are you such a prefect student?"

"Because you, dear 'Zar, are a perfect teacher." Her hand caressed the face of her dear friend (see page 86 for part 3)

He looked at her shocked, "Of course not, why such a foolish question?"

"Rappleadrazzle swore his next human would live forever."

"We became attached in a rather unusual way, then we became friends." He looked embarrassed "You know how dragons are."

She laughed and shook her head. "Yes, I do." A movement distracted her. What, at first, appeared to be large, shapeless -71

Dragon Riding by grubert

Charming in every way

The wearable art of Blackberry Designs Jewelry

Fairy tale bracelet

Have you ever seen one of those wonderful, whimsical, detailed and altogether irresistible themed charm bracelets? There’s a good chance it was one of Blackberry Designs Jewelry’s beauties.

Designer Dea Shelton shares the heart and soul that go into each lovingly crafted piece she creates, and the joy they bring.

by Joy de Vivre Reading the descriptions of your designs, it's obvious you are a font of creative passion.

What are you most passionate about?

independent of my knowledge, and on my art journey you will see crossovers from one art medium to another. From jewelry, sculpting, graphic design or costumes, my art is what defines me.

Creativity and Art. I describe myself as an Integrative Artist. Each art medium I explore builds on the other, they never stand

Did you have a charm bracelet when you were a girl? If so, can you share something about it?

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My father worked for the airlines and traveled the world. When he returned I would wait anxiously to see what new charm he had brought me from Japan, England and the far corners of the earth. I built my first charm bracelet from his travels. When he left this earth in 2002, I wanted to honor his memory and hold him close to my heart, so I created a legacy bracelet. As many people saw the bracelet and requested one of their own legacy keepsake bracelets, my business was born. My father always believed my art was special, and I recall his last words to me before he passed “You are a star, believe in yourself, and you will shine”.

Jewelry fads come and go, but charm bracelets never seem to lose their allure. What is it about them that captivates us so?

Charm bracelets have been around for centuries, although in different forms. I believe they are timeless. They tell a story, about a life, event, a favorite book, character or theme. That never goes out of style. They are great conversation pieces.

My customers have told me their charm bracelets have brought them comfort in times of pain, (I do many memorial pieces) and laughter when they are feeling stressed or just worn out, and a bit of a smile when they are feeling low. I like to think my charm bracelets can bring them a bit of joy.

Fantasy themes feature in many of your exquisite creations. What are your personal favorites when it comes to fairy tales?

I love Fairies and you will see much of that theme woven throughout my pieces. Glinda the Good is probably my favorite Fairytale charm bracelet, and the Fairy bracelets are some of my highest sellers.

When I first started creating my charm bracelets I thought they should be timeless elegance, so I looked to the 1940’s for inspiration, and researched the chain and charms of that era. Also the vintage images worked well with the designs of the 1940’s.

What goes into creating a new charm bracelet design, and how long does it take from inspiration to completion?

As a metalsmith, when I first started creating charm bracelets I did in sterling silver, it was $8 an ounce at that time. When the market jumped to $35 per ounce on sterling, my selling price point became too high for the average person to purchase. I wanted to make sure that almost everyone could afford one of my charm bracelets. In 2009 I started to experiment with stainless steel, a beautiful durable metal with the look and feel of sterling silver, never tarnishes and will last a lifetime.

Stainless had been used for men’s jewelry for years, but not so much in women’s pieces. It took -73

Glinda bracelet

almost 2 years of work to learn how to create in this metal, there were no books. Even the jewelry tools were not stable enough to handle stainless.

As I could only find limited components in this metal, I have some of my pieces, like my chains and clasps manufactured for me. The charms were easier, I went to pewter, but only US cast pewter, it is closely regulated in the US, has wonderful detail, quality, and pewter has been used in jewelry making for centuries.

Enough about my supplies, which I could write a book about. On to your question. Creating, once I have a design, I sketch it out, and start to research the piece. I learn about the theme, read just about anything I can find on the internet, movies and books, like when I did my steampunk piece, I went to some of the steampunk blogs and found out what steampunk meant to them, and talked to people holding the conventions. I then locate

Enchanted Dragon bracelet

want on the hand stamped charms, this can take me a week to decide. It has to have the flavor of the entire piece and flow. I then patina the charms, add any enameling and layout the components for continuity and create the piece. One the piece is done, it stays on my jewelry table for about a week, until I am sure it is good enough to be photographed and put on the website.

Some bracelets have taken a long time, some less, generally it is about 4-6 months from creative board to completion. One of my customers is helping me design a piece, and told me “I had no idea what went into creating your jewelry”.

Cinderella bracelet

vintage images, with just the right continuity of colors, and then spend time in Photoshop doing the graphic design work on them. The process can generally take about 80 hours and I spread that out over about 3 months.

Sometimes the idea is there but I can never find vintage images to fit. It took me 2 years on my Nutcracker charm bracelet. Images done, next, while researching the themes I jot down possible charms then I go through my US supplier catalogs and find the ones that fit.

Sometimes I will need the casting done in wax and have a particular charm created for me.

Next are my crystal choices. I am limited to what Swarovski produces — thank goodness they have a vast catalog of colors. I choose the colors to match. Then comes the words I

I love that you wear your own jewelry. What sorts of comments and questions do you generally get?

You really made that? Where do you sell? Do you have a website? How did you get the images in the glass? People are curious about the process, and wondering if they can have one with their family, or animal photos. I carry lots of cards with me.

What is your studio environment like? Do you listen to any certain sort of music while in design mode?

I have stations in my studio — a station for hand stamping, enameling, gluing, resin setting, photography, and assembly. So my studio has to be large. I am a bit of an organization freak and with over 10,000 components and 5,000 charms in stock I have to be able to get my hands on everything within seconds to work efficiently.

Nothing in my studio has doors, and everything is in clear see through containers, and labeled, everything in its place and a place for everything. I have the TV on during the day, I find the Hallmark channel has tons of feel-good movies, and I have a vast library of DVDs. So I will watch a Christmas movie in July to gear up for the new Christmas designs. Right now, I am watching Valentines, love and romance movies working on a spectacular lineup for Valentine’s.

What sorts of themes are you currently toying with?

Right now, I have several in the works and finishing for Christmas, Star of David, 12 Days of Christmas. I will be completing these pieces next week. I am also working on a couple of new lines, some work, some don’t. Particularly, a line of fancy ID bracelets that can be personalized, as always, in stainless steel.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Aurora Sleeping Beauty bracelet

My most rewarding part of creating jewelry is all the wonderful emails I get from my customers. I never -74

knew how many people I touched with creating jewelry.

I do lots of memorial and legacy pieces, and it’s so rewarding to hear about the mother that takes comfort from wearing an image of the son she lost in an accident, the bride who lost her new husband 1 week after their wedding, or a beloved animal that has left us.

I really study the images, and create the piece for the person mourning the loss. I have heard so many times about a customer opening my jewelry and crying.

Wearing an image, or special charm with the person’s name helps the one grieving hold them just a bit closer.

What are you looking forward to doing next, either personally or professionally?

My personal and professional career are so intermingled, and I focus solely on my art and I find my personal goals tend to fall into place. I don’t worry about it so very much, I think that comes with age. My next step beyond my business goals is to take more sculpting classes. I sculpt in paper and would like to enter a piece in the Del Mar Faire this year. My first entry two years ago was one of 30 posted out of 2,500 entries in the fine art 2D sculpting division. This year, I my goal is to take home one of the ribbons.

Alice bracelet

What can fans expect from Blackberry Designs in the coming year?

Oh my, I have lots in the works. New designs of course. But specifically, you will start to see more enameled charms in my jewelry. I have come up with a process to hand enamel pewter in my studio.

Additionally, I am researching professional engraving machines, so the hand stamped charms will be replaced with engraved charms, simply because I want to be able to accommodate my customers with more letters on the charms. With the addition of an engraver, I now have a drill press and will be doing more forming of metals and am creating a line of ID bracelets for ladies, that has a feminine appeal with a diamond-cut twist chain, Swarovski Crystal links, and of course charms. A few of my findings are still the US cast pewter, which I love, but I want to move to stainless and am currently working on designs with my manufacturer.

As always, I have 20 new charm bracelet designs for the coming year. Such as several new heart-themed charm bracelets, Pinocchio, “A Day at the Faire”, “Down on the Farm”, and so many others.

Belle & Beast bracelet

Lots of exciting things happening in 2014. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about my passions.

Be part of Dea’s world of beauty and grace online at:

Blackberry Designs Jewelry Website Blackberry Designs Jewelry on Facebook Blackberry Designs Jewelry’s Etsy Shop -75

Oz bracelet

Into the Wald the Dark, Forbidding, Grimm Wald

The tale behind the tales is far from a simple children’s bedtime story. It is one of cultural preservation, diligent research and intellectual resistance. Meet the men who made the magic more than just a long ago memory from a land forgotten.

The Brothers Grimm, Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, lexicographers and authors who together collected and published folklore. They are among the most well-known storytellers of folk tales, popularizing stories such as "Cinderella", "The Frog Prince", "Hansel and Gretel", "Rapunzel", "Rumpelstiltskin" and "Snow White".

Their first collection of folk tales, Children's and Household Tales (Kinder- und Hausmärchen), was published in 1812.

established a methodology for collecting and recording folk stories that became the basis for folklore studies. Between 1812 and 1857 their first collection was revised and published many times and grew from 86 stories to more than 200. In addition to writing and modifying folk tales, the brothers wrote collections of well-respected German and Scandinavian mythologies and in 1808 began writing a definitive German dictionary (Deutsches Wörterbuch), that remained incomplete in their lifetime.

The brothers spent their formative years first in the German town of Hanau. Their father's death in 1796, (when Jacob was eleven and Wilhelm ten), caused great poverty for the family and affected the brothers for many years. They both attended the University of Marburg and at the same time developed a curiosity for folklore, which grew into a lifelong dedication to collecting German folk tales.

The popularity of the Grimms' collected folk tales endured well beyond their lifetimes. The tales are available in more than 100 translations and have been adapted by filmmakers including Lotte Reiniger and Walt Disney, with films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs andSleeping Beauty. In the mid-20th century the tales were used as propaganda by the Third Reich; later in the 20th century psychologists such as Bruno Bettelheim reaffirmed the value of the work, in spite of the cruelty and violence in the original versions of some of the tales that were sanitized.

The rise of romanticism in the 19th century revived interest in traditional folk stories and represented a pure form of national literature and culture to the brothers. With the goal of researching a scholarly treatise on folk tales, the brothers

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BACKGROUND The rise of Romantic nationalism and trends in valuing popular culture in the early 19th century revived interest in fairy tales, which had declined since their late-17th century peak. Johann Karl August Musäus published a popular collection of tales between 1782 and 1787; the Grimms aided the revival with their folklore collection, built on the conviction that a national identity could be found in popular culture and with the common folk (Volk). Although they collected and published tales as a reflection of German cultural identity, in the first collection they included Charles Perrault's tales, published in Paris in 1697, written for the literary salons of an aristocratic French audience. Scholar Lydia Jean explains a myth was created that Perrault's tales, many of which were original, came from the common people reflecting existing folklore to justify their inclusion.

Directly influenced by Brentano and von Arnim who edited and adapted the folk songs of Des Knaben Wunderhorn (The Boy's Magic Horn), the brothers began the collection with the purpose of creating a scholarly treatise of traditional stories and of preserving the stories as they had been handed from generation to generation—a practice that was threatened by increased industrialization. Maria Tatar, professor of German studies at Harvard University, explains that it is precisely in the handing from generation to generation and the genesis in the oral tradition, that gives folk tales an important mutability. Versions of tales differ from region to region, "picking up bits and pieces of local culture and lore, drawing a turn of phrase from a song or another story and fleshing out characters with features taken from the audience witnessing their performance."

However, as Tatar explains, the Grimms appropriated as uniquely German stories such as "Little Red Riding Hood", which had existed in many versions and regions throughout Europe, because they believed that such stories were reflections of Germanic culture. Furthermore, the brothers saw fragments of old religions and faiths reflected in the stories which they thought continued to exist and survive through the telling of stories.

METHODOLOGY When Jacob returned, of the 53 tales they collected for inclusion in his third volume of Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Brentano either ignored or forgot about the tales, leaving the copies in a church in Alsace where they were found in 1920.

Known as the Ölenberg manuscript, it is the earliest extant version of the Grimms' collection and has become a valuable source to scholars studying the evolution of the Grimms' collection from the time of its inception. The manuscript was published in 1927 and again in 1975.

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Although the brothers gained a reputation for collecting tales from peasants, many tales came from middle-class or aristocratic acquaintances. Wilhelm's wife Dortchen Wild and her family, with their nursery maid, told the brothers some of the more well-known tales, such as "Hansel and Gretel" and "Sleeping Beauty". Wilhelm collected a number of tales after befriending August von Haxthausen, whom he visited in 1811 in Westphalia where he heard stories from von Haxthausen's circle of friends. Several of the storytellers were of Huguenot ancestry, telling tales of French origin such as those told to the Grimms by Marie Hassenpflug, an educated woman of French Huguenot ancestry, and it is probable that these informants were familiar with Perrault's Histoires ou contes du temps passé (Stories from Past Times). Other tales were collected from the wife of a middle-class tailor, Dorothea Viehmann, also of French descent. Despite her middle-class background, in the first English translation she was characterized as a peasant and given the name Gammer Gretel.

According to scholars such as Ruth Bottigheimer and Maria Tatar, some of the tales probably originated in written form during the medieval period with writers such as Straparola and Boccaccio, but were modified in the 17th century and again rewritten by the Grimms. Moreover, Tatar writes that the brothers' goal of preserving and shaping the tales as something uniquely German at a time of French occupation was a form of "intellectual resistance", and in so doing they established a methodology for collecting and preserving folklore that set the model to be followed later by writers throughout Europe during periods of occupation.

WRITING From 1807 onward the brothers added to the collection.

Jacob established the framework, maintained through many iterations; from 1815 until his death, Wilhelm assumed sole responsibility for editing and rewriting the tales. He made the tales stylistically similar, added dialogue, removed pieces "that might detract from a rustic tone", improved the

plots and incorporated psychological motifs. Ronald Murphy writes in The Owl, the Raven and the Dove that the brothers and in particular Wilhelm, additionally added religious and spiritual motifs to the tales. He believes that Wilhelm "gleaned" bits of old Germanic faiths, Norse mythology, Roman and Greek mythology and from biblical stories that he reshaped.

Over the years, Wilhelm worked extensively on the prose, expanded and added detail to the stories to the point that many grew to be twice the length as in the earliest published editions. In the later editions Wilhelm polished the language to make it more enticing to a bourgeois audience, eliminated sexual elements and added Christian elements. After 1819 he began writing for children (children were not initially considered the primary audience), adding entirely new tales or adding new elements that were often strongly didactic to existing tales.

Some changes were made in light of unfavorable reviews, particularly from those who objected that not all the tales were suitable for children because of scenes of violence and sexuality. He worked to modify plots for of the many stories: for example, "Rapunzel" in the first edition of Kinderund Hausmärchen clearly shows the relationship between the prince and the girl in the tower as sexual, which he edited out in subsequent editions. Tatar writes that morals were added (in the second edition a king's regret was added to the scene in which his wife is burned at the stake) and often the characters in the tale were amended to appear more German: "every fairy (Fee), prince (Prinz) and princess (Prinzessin)—all words of French origin—was transformed into a more Teutonic-sounding enchantress (Zauberin) or wise woman (weise Frau), king's son (Königssohn), king's daughter (Königstochter)."

THEMES AND ANALYSIS The Grimms' legacy contains legends, novellas and folk stories, the vast majority of which were not intended as children's tales. Deeply concerned by the content of some of the tales—such as those that showed children being eaten—von Armin suggested they be removed.

Instead the brothers added an introduction with cautionary advice that parents steer children toward age-appropriate stories. Despite von Armin's unease, none of the tales were eliminated from the collection, in the brothers' belief that all the tales were of value and reflected inherent cultural qualities. Furthermore, the stories were didactic in nature at a time when discipline relied on fear, according to scholar Linda Dégh, who explains that tales such as "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Hansel and Gretel" were written to be "warning tales" for children.

Click here for a delightful online jaunt through the Grimm realm, courtesy of National Geographic The stories in Kinder- und Hausmärchen include scenes of violence that have since been sanitized. For example the Grimms' version of "Snow White" ends with the stepmother dancing at Snow White's wedding wearing a pair of red-hot iron shoes that kill her; another story has a servant being pushed into a barrel "studded with sharp nails" and then rolled down the street. The Grimms' version of "The Frog Prince" describes the princess throwing the frog against a wall instead of kissing him. To some extent the cruelty and violence may have been a reflection of medieval culture from which the tales originated, such as scenes of witches burning, as described "The Six Swans".

Tales with a spinning motif are broadly represented in the collection. In her essay "Tale Spinners: Submerged Voices in Grimms' Fairy Tales", children's literature scholar Bottigheimer explains that these stories reflect the degree to which spinning was crucial in the life of women in the 19th century and earlier. Spinning and particularly the spinning of flax, was commonly performed in the home by women.

Although many stories begin by describing the occupation of a main character, as in "There once was a miller", as an occupation spinning is never mentioned, probably because the brothers did not consider it an occupation. Instead, spinning was a communal activity, frequently performed in a Spinnstube (spinning room), a place where women most likely kept the oral traditions alive by telling stories while engaged in tedious work. In the stories, a woman's personality is often reflected by her attitude toward spinning: a wise woman might be a spinster and Bottigheimer explains the spindle was the symbol of a "diligent, wellordered womanhood." In some stories, such as "Rumpelstiltskin", spinning is associated with a threat; in others spinning might be avoided by a character who is either too lazy or not accustomed to spinning because of her high social status.

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The tales were also criticized for being insufficiently German, which not only influenced the tales the brothers included, but their use of language; whereas scholars such as Heinz Rölleke say the stories are an accurate depiction of German culture, showing "rustic simplicity [and] sexual modesty". German culture is deeply rooted in the forest (wald), a dark dangerous place to be avoided, most particularly the old forests with large oak trees and yet a place to which Little Red Riding Hood's mother sent her daughter to deliver food to grandmother's house.

Another possible influence can be found in the selection of stories such as "The Twelve Brothers", which mirrors the brothers' family structure of one girl and several brothers overcoming opposition. Zipes believes that a number of the stories show autobiographical elements and that the brothers may have used their work as a "quest" to replace the family life they lost when their father died. The collection includes 41 tales about siblings, which Zipes believes are representative of Jacob and Wilhelm. Many of the sibling stories follow a simple plot in which the characters lose a home, work industriously at a specific task and in the end find a new home.

RECEPTION AND LEGACY Kinder- und Hausmärchen was not an immediate bestseller, but its popularity grew with each edition. The early editions attracted lukewarm critical reviews, generally on the basis that the stories were unappealing to children. The brothers responded with modifications and rewrites in order to increase the book's market appeal to that demographic. By the 1870s the tales had increased greatly in popularity, to the point they were added to the teaching curriculum in Prussia. In the 20th century the work has maintained status as second only to the bible as the most popular book in Germany. Its sales generated a mini-industry of criticism which analyzed the tales folkloric content in the context of literary history, socialism and psychological elements often along Freudian and Jungian lines.

In their research, the brothers made a science of the study of folklore (see folkloristics), generating a model of research that "launched general fieldwork in most European countries", and setting standards for research and analysis of stories and legends that made them pioneers in the field of folklore in the 19th century.

During the Third Reich the Grimms' stories were used to foster nationalism and the Nazi Party decreed Kinder- und Hausmärchen was a book each household should own; later, in Allied-occupied Germany, the book was banned for a period. In the US, the 1937 release of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs shows the triumph of good over evil, innocence over oppression, according to Zipes: a popular theme that Disney repeated in 1959 during the Cold War with the production of Sleeping Beauty. The Grimms' tales have provided much of the early foundation on which the Disney empire was built. In film, the Cinderella motif, the story of a poor girl finding love and success, continues to be repeated in movies such as Pretty Woman, Ever After, Maid in Manhattan and Ella Enchanted.

Twentieth century educators debated the value and influence of teaching stories that include brutality and violence, causing some of the more grim details to be sanitized. Dégh writes that some educators believe children should be shielded from cruelty of any form, that stories with a happy ending are fine to teach whereas those that are darker, particularly the legends, might pose more harm. On the other hand some educators and psychologists believe children easily discern the difference between what is a story and what is not and that the tales continue to have value for children. The publication of Bruno Bettelheim's 1976 The Uses of Enchantment brought a new wave of interest in the stories as children's literature, with an emphasis on the "therapeutic value for children". More popular stories such as "Hansel and Gretel" and "Little Red Riding Hood" have become staples of modern childhood presented in coloring books, puppet shows and cartoons. Other stories, however, have been considered too gruesome and have not made a popular transition.

Regardless of the debate, the Grimms' stories have continued to be resilient and popular around the world.

All of Grimm’s tales available for reading here -79

[excerpted and edited from Wikipedia because frankly, I found the article fascinating and highly informative.]

"All the ancient classic fairy tales have always been scary and dark." ~Helena Bonham Carter

photo by Tono Stano

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Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes adapted from Kraft Recipes

Ingredients • 1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix • 1 pkg. (250 g) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened • 1 egg • 2 Tbsp. sugar • 1 can (19 fl oz /540 mL) cherry pie filling, divided • 1-1/2 cups whipped cream (or thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping) Directions 1. HEAT oven to 350°F. 2. PREPARE cake batter as directed on package for the light or low-fat version; set aside. Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.

3. RESERVE 3/4 cup of the cherry pie filling for garnish. Spoon 2 Tbsp. cake batter into each of 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Top each with 1 Tbsp. each of the cream cheese mixture and remaining cherry pie filling. Cover with remaining cake batter.

4. BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean.

5. Cool 5 min.; remove from pan to wire racks. Cool completely.

6. Top with whipped cream (or Cool Whip) and reserved cherry pie filling just before serving.

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Nine T ails

dress and celebration ensued. The night was filled with drinking and dancing.

After living happily together a litter of cubs was born to the couple. The happy grandfather was delighted with his growing family.

"They are the spitting image of their grandfather." he said proudly.

When they were old enough they were taken to the temple of Inari, the God of Rice and patron saint of foxes where their parents prayed for Inari's blessing. They prayed that their children be spared from dogs and all other dangers.

As time went by, the family grew in number and in happiness.

by Shannon Lopez - part 2 of 3 Fifth Tail: Hideyoshi's Letter to Inari (see page 68 for part 1)

*While the stories below are based on traditional Japanese folk tales much of the content has been heavily edited for length. The overall story and plot however remains unaltered.

Fourth Tail: The Foxes Wedding * A pleasant tale depicting a fox family behaving as a tradition Japanese family. Copy of story taken from Tales of Old Japan, by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford. Please look there for the story in its entirety.

There once was a fox named Fukuyémon. His father, the head of the family had become old and greatly desired that he should pass on his inheritance to his son so that he could retire and enjoy the remainder of his days. Fukuyémon, eager to please his father set his mind to taking a bride. There was one vixen in particular that he had stolen his heart, a charming young female whose beauty had been known far and wide.

She was the daughter of a very old and prominent family. As no objections were raised on either side the two houses were joined in matrimony. Wedding presents were sent to the happy couple including the customary gift of cash. As the bride was carried off in ceremony the sun shone brightly as it rained all the while.

The ceremony was completed by the bride and groom raising their cups to each other and sipping the wine. The bride then changed her

*Belief in fox possession was soo strong in the 16th century that the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself wrote a letter to Inari the God of Rice and master of foxes. He demanded that Inari investigate into the manner of the possession of one of his servants and that one of the god's foxes were to blame. He went so far as to threaten the god and that if the matter was not resolved then he, Hideyoshi, would exterminate every fox in the land. Here is a copy of that letter: "To Inari Daimyojin, My lord, I have the honor to inform you that one of the foxes under your jurisdiction has bewitched one of my servants, causing her and others a great deal of trouble. I have to request that you make minute inquiries into the matter, and endeavor to find out the reason of your subject misbehaving in this way, and let me know the result.

If it turns out that the fox has no adequate reason to give for his behavior, you are to arrest and punish him at once. If you hesitate to take action in this matter I shall issue orders for the destruction of every fox in the land. Any other particulars that you may wish to be informed of in reference to what has occurred, you can learn from the high priest of Yoshida." *To write to a god in such a manner Hideyoshi had to either very brave or extremely foolish.

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Sixth Tail: How a Man was bewitched and had his Head Shaved by the Foxes *Copy of story taken from Tales of Old Japan, by Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford. Please look there for the story in its entirety.

There once was a family that lived in the village of Iwahara. One night as they and their friends passed the wine around their conversation turned to the mischief of foxes. One of the guests, a man named Tokutarô scoffed at their stories and said: "How can a fox possibly hold power over men?

You are all fools for believing such things."

Another of the party replied, "You know little of the world or you would not say such things. There are many men who have been bewitched by foxes who live by the Maki Moor."

Tokutarô boasted, "Then I shall go to the Maki Moor this very night and prove that this is all nonsense."

The party agreed that if Tokutarô returned without being tricked by fox magic then they would pay him a hefty sum, if he failed then he would do the same for them. That night Tokutarô set out for the Maki Moor alone. As he neared the moor, a fox ran across his path. Tokutarô then became wary that now would be the time that the foxes would try to trick him. As he continued his walk he came across the daughter of the headman of the village.

The woman greeted him, "Where are you going, Mr. Tokutarô?"

"I am going home." he replied.

"Well then as my home is along the way may I accompany you?"

Suspicious of this request Tokutarô decided that the headman's daughter was really a fox in disguise. He agreed to the woman's request only that he might best the creature later on.

As they arrived at the woman's home, the daughter's parents came to the door. They invited Tokutarô inside so that he might rest himself. He beckoned to the father and whispered to him, "The woman whom I have brought with me is not your daughter. When I was walking to the Maki Moor a fox jumped out and took the shape of your daughter."

The father thought this accusation very strange and called in his wife. The wife was insulted that Tokutarô would say such things about their daughter.

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Tokutarô stood firm and said he truly believed this was fox mischief at work. "If you hide in the closet there I shall force the creature to reveal its true form."

Tokutarô then seized the daughter by the neck and pushed her down by the oven. Despite her calls for help the mother and father remained hidden in the closet. Tokutarô laughed and declared, "You thought you could trick me fox?

Well I shall show everyone what you really are!"

He then proceeded to twist her arm, stomp on her, and perform other cruel acts of torture, but to no avail. Finally, when she could take no more the woman cried out and died. The mother and father rushed out from their hiding place and to the side of their daughter. Tokutarô was arrested and awaited his fate, his crime he would most surely pay for with his life. That very night a priest came to the home and inquired as to what was the matter.

Tokutarô, horrified by what he had done told the priest all that had happened. The priest offered an alternative, that if he would devote himself that night to the priesthood and become his disciple then the Priest could convince the parents of the murdered woman to spare his life.

Tokutarô agreed.

The priest went to the parents and told them his plan. Though they grieved for their daughter they too agreed to this arrangement.

"I shall shave his head before your eyes to prove this to be true." declared the priest.

Tokutarô put his hands together in prayer as the priest shaved his head. When the ceremony was completed there came a great sound of laughter and in that moment Tokutarô found himself alone. The house, the parents, and the priest faded away like a dream. Tokutarô covered his head with a cloth and returned to his friend’s, embarrassed and ashamed. When he revealed his shaved head his friends howled in laughter. He had fallen to the mischief of the foxes. Tokutarô never allowed his hair to grow back.

Instead, after repaying the bet he had made, Tokutarô changed his name to Sainen and became a priest. (see page 93 for part 3)

The Little Mermaid’s Father We all had favorite stories as children.

While I grew up on a steady diet of Disney, my tastes always skewed vintage and classic.

I recall my poor mother calling me into dinner while I was in the throes of reading my favorite conte and weeping for The Little Mermaid as she turned into foam — no dashing off into the sunset with princes in the original tale. Stories like The Ugly Duckling resonated with me in ways I couldn’t explain, but I knew, that Hans Christian Andersen was the story teller for me. It didn’t hurt that one of my favorite performers from cinema’s Golden Age, Danny Kaye, starred as Andersen in the 1952 film musical tribute to the author — a role for which Kaye was knighted by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II in 1983.

Here’s a little bit about the fairy tale writer himself, posted by Scholastic.com with the attribution, ‘Biography written by Danny Kaye’: No collection of fairy tales would be complete without the works of the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. In fact, Andersen's life was like a fairy tale in many ways. Out of the poverty, hardship, and loneliness of his youth, he came to be one of the most honored men of his time. Many of the more than 160 fairy tales he wrote, including "The Ugly Duckling," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid," have become literary classics enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Andersen was born on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark. His parents were poor; his father worked as a shoemaker and his mother was a washerwoman. His father, who died when Andersen was 11, entertained him with old Danish legends and stories from The Arabian Nights.

The Little Mermaid bronze statue created in 1913 by Edvard Eriksen, displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo attributed to Leping

The people of Odense never knew what to make of the tall, awkward boy. When he recited long passages from plays or did a clumsy dance or insisted on singing, they could hardly help laughing. Everyone advised him to learn a trade, but this he would not do. He was forever saying that he was going to be famous.

In 1819, Andersen moved to the capital city of Copenhagen, where he hoped to become an actor in the Royal Theater. Many people of the theater and wealthy families of the city tried to help him, without much success. His dancing master gave up, and so did his singing teacher.

Directors of the Royal Theater sympathized with his efforts to write plays but finally concluded that Andersen needed an education.

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One of the directors raised money to send him away to school. The next few years were the unhappiest of his life. Andersen was much older than the other students, and the schoolmaster found endless ways to make fun of him. Finally when word of Andersen's plight reached his benefactors in Copenhagen, he was removed from the school and put into the hands of a private tutor. He later attended and graduated from Copenhagen University.

After his schooling, Andersen spent many years traveling and writing poems, books, and plays, which met with some success. It was not until he was 30 that he wrote any fairy tales. His first small book of fairy tales became popular almost immediately, and from then on his fame grew rapidly, spreading from country to country.

Andersen put many pieces of his own life into his fairy tales. He never forgot that his mother as a young girl had been forced to go begging. This led him to write "The Little Match Girl," a story full of compassion for the unfortunate ones of this Earth. And his own personal experiences are reflected in "The Ugly Duckling," which points out that sometimes the qualities that make you feel lonely, different, and out of place are the very qualities that, when properly used, can make you shine.

In 1867 he returned to Odense to be honored by his country. Standing on the balcony of the hall where the ceremony was held, he saw below him the city square, full of people who cheered him, and bright with thousands of candles burning in the windows of all the buildings.

Andersen published his last fairy tales in 1872, and after a long illness, he died in Copenhagen on August 4, 1875.

Click here for a page with links to the bulk of his stories.

And click here to watch the full length movie, Hans Christian Andersen.

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by Lyle Dagnen - part 3 of 4 (see page 70 for part 2)

The Black Dragon stood at the edge of the forest. He was an old dragon and one of the warriors. He fought the dragon wars and did the jobs that most of the other dragons were not allowed to do because he and others like him did their job so well. He was not beautiful like her 'Zar. He was scarred and he did not move with grace and ease.

a

Story of

"So, you take my case and speak for me among the tribunal of the dragons?"

She walked toward him and spoke her words aloud. "Yes, I will speak for you. Tell me why you chose me, how do you know me and how do you know that I am even here?"

The deep gravely rumble that was his voice spoke inside her head, "You do not remember, but you fought in an old skirmish with 'Zar when he was a young and daring dragon. You stood toe to toe with dragon and human alike, swinging that sword of yours with deadly accuracy. You know what it is to be covered in the blood of others and you know what it feels like to be victorious. When I saw you as I was coming to this farce of a hearing, I knew that if I could get you to stand and speak for me that I would stand a chance."

She stood at his mighty feet and looked up into the bluest sapphire eyes she had ever seen. It was good that she had taken an instant liking to this giant, because of him her time with the dragons would be limited forever. "Your name."

"Grendannofftel. You may call me 'Tel." With the exchange of names she was bound to him, she would speak his case before the tribunal of dragons, she would try to save his life.

She spent the last few minutes before the tribunal began with 'Zar, her head leaned against his. She was trying not to cry, for that would not be dignified in this court, but her heart was breaking. It took only seconds for all of the gathered dragons to know what had happened and they grew silent and stopped their mental and oral chatter. The power of the love that she and 'Zar felt for each other was palpable and respected. They all knew of her courage and ability to fight and the strength that the two of them had shown when good challenged evil in their peaceable kingdom of dragons. 'Zar knew that 'Tel had the most powerful ally he could have chosen, he admired the old warrior's choice but he detested the results of his choice. His very own human, his little one, his Susie would be gone and he would lose her forever when she went back this time. They had both planned that when she finished her duty in her realm that she would come and be with him and they would end their lives together when the time came. The loneliness seemed to cloak him.

The mighty brass hammer struck the stone by the tribunal's leader.

The meeting was called to order, all communication stopped. She stepped down and walked over to 'Tel. He put down the paw of his good arm and lifted her so that she stood on his shoulder. She placed her hand, almost lovingly on the side of his face so that she could

absorb any thought he might have. She had her mind on him now, her plans for her speech were flowing in her mind. This would be the speech of her life, long, short, impassioned, calm, it would flow when the time came and upon her words rested 'Tel's life. She glanced to find that he was resting and calm. He actually smiled and winked one bright blue eye at her. She smiled back, all of the observing dragons were mystified.

As dragons are a chatty lot, when they get together they spend a great deal of time talking about things. Every item up before the council was talked about from every angle imaginable. Dragons loved an eloquent speaker and enjoyed hearing all viewpoints on a subject. Unlike many species, they did not consider any point trivial and the young and inexperienced were encouraged to speak their viewpoint, even if it was funny, laughter at one's serious ideas was considered very rude. But, hearty dragon laughter was encouraged as was humor, it was just asked that each one be careful not to sling fire in the face of another. That is why dragons often throw back their heads when they laugh, it opens their joy to the heavens and prevents a problem with dragon fire when one laughs until dragon tears fall from their eyes. The tribunal discussed issues and settled problems and made new rules and modified old ones. As evening fell, it was time for 'Tel to stand before the council in judgment. This was not funny and never meant to be anything but serious and somber.

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D r a g o ns

her throat. She drew in a deep breath, looked at 'Zar and began.

Dragons may be a chatty lot, but they also appreciate a good speech and she knew she would be speaking from her heart, but also making it up as she traveled though the speech. It should be long enough to move them, and then she needed to shut up. She turned to look at him, his face so close to hers; in his sapphire eyes she saw trust, it almost moved her to tears.

She stood and looked at the circle of dragons, attempting to look each right in their jewel colored eyes. The silence grew thick, then she began.

The old dragon was tired and was way older than she had first imagined him to be. He was near the end of his years and she wondered why they had even brought him to judgment, except that the charge was so serious. He had been charged with killing wantonly, she knew now that he hadn't and she had to convince them that he was justified in his action. She could tell he was not accustomed to moving with a human on his shoulder; she had learned that he had never had a human of his own and her heart broke for the years of companionship he had missed. He found his place in the center of the circle of dragons and he listened as the charge was read. For dragons who were chatty, the charges were simple, to the point and over in seconds. "You are charged with dragon-slaying. How do you plead?"

He paused because he had indeed killed a dragon, but it had not been murder, it had been necessary. She encouraged him to speak.

In a deep rumble of a voice 'Tel spoke his response.

"Innocent."

She smiled because he had chosen the word innocent, rather than not guilty. This was going to be an interesting process, and suddenly she felt hopeful for the outcome. She chose to keep her position on his shoulder; his mighty heart beat steady; her heart was in -87

"I want each one of you to look at this dragon who stands before you, accused." She waited. "You need to see him, not with a glance or an easy stare, but look at him."

She raised her voice to command their attention. "He stands before you a warrior. He has scars all over his body as evidence of those struggles. I know each of you has a looking glass, do you have scars from the wars?”

There was a sound of movement as the dragons looked at each other. "You all know that I have fought in the wars with 'Zar, he was injured once with me on his back." She looked to 'Zar and they shared the memory "Tel has been injured many times and has received the injuries saving the lives of his fellow dragons. He chose never to have a human, so he fought recklessly and put his life on the line in battle. How many of you have been in a battle?

How many of you risked your life so that another could live?" She paused here while the uncomfortable rustle subsided. "'Tel, has been accused of murder, but he has been accused by one who did not look into the case. The accuser simply saw that another dragon lay dead. Because he is a warrior and known for his ability to destroy an enemy his final years have been marked by this horrible accusation."

"I want all of you to consider what you are doing....you are standing in judgment on one who has shown bravery beyond what most of you will ever be called to show. He has walked and flown into the face of horror and has seen what many of you will never see, for you cannot even walk a step in the path he has chosen for his life. He chose a path that would make your lives easier, that would allow you comfort to take your ease, that would allow you to take a position as a judge...a judge of him...yet he chose that path without question or qualm...he chose it because of his great warrior heart and he has never looked back.”

She looked around the circle at each of them and saw that some of them had been moved. "It is so easy to be a judge, especially if you have a gift that allows you to feel that you set the perfect example and that others who fall short of your perfection are defective in some way. You point those lovely claws of yours to make sure that the one you judge knows that somehow, from your lofty position, that you have deemed him a failure...one unacceptable in their failings...isn't it nice that he is the one who stepped up and accepted the responsibility that permitted you such a lofty position?" (see page 98 for part 4)

The Lord & Lady of Latex

photo by Bill Rhodes

There’s a good reason Paul & Jennifer Hersey look so happy. They’ve grown an artistic hobby into the last word in mythic apparel, organically. Their custom work is sought after by Cosplay veterans, professional belly dancers, Steampunk enthusiasts and just about anyone who appreciates solid craftsmanship and inventive design. Here are a few words from the Organic Armor team, including a fitting intro from their website.

Once upon a time Paul Hersey was a mild mannered mainframe programmer who loved to dress up in costume for raves on the weekends. He found a tribe of visionary kindred spirits at the Burning Man Festival, which he attended for more than 10 years, making elaborate costumes each summer. In doing so, he learned by trial and error how to make them comfortable as well as original.

He experimented with many materials and hit on latex as his perfect medium. He used it in a unique way and his “organic” style began to emerge. People started asking him to make costumes for them.

About this time the dotCom bust and the offshoring of most mainframe jobs put him out of his day job.

His wife Jennifer encouraged him to follow his bliss, and ever since he has b e e n d e v e l o p i n g h i s s c u l p t i n g a n d costuming techniques.

Organic Armor was born in 2006.

Paul and Jennifer run the company together.

He is the main designer and fabricator, she does everything else. They live in Asheville, North Carolina, nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. They travel to summer festivals around the country.

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Steampunk cameo vest, made in 2011 for the Steampunk Overlord

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Coming from a mainframe programming background, did you always have an artistic side? If so, how did you indulge it when working in the computer industry?

On your site you mention involvement with Burning Man for more than ten years. What was your first experience there like? Did it change you in any way?

I was always doodling and drawing as a child but I took some right turns as a young adult that led me away from my artistic roots. When I was working as a programmer for 15 years I got back into it. I did a lot of creative things on the weekends, like drumming with a performance troop at raves, or dressing up as Andy Warhol and doing body painting at art openings. Then I discovered Burning Man and really got excited.

The early Burning Man Festivals were very different, but the essence that made them transformative was there then and still is. The first one I went to was in 1995. There were about 4000 people there, as opposed to the 60K in 2013. A banner greeted me as I entered the camp that said "You are not the weirdo here". That was my first clue that I had found my tribe. After a couple of years going I realized that the festival was a nucleus - a seed of a new art movement

and way of life. It transformed me but it was much bigger than that. It was part of the DIY paradigm and connected lots of diverse subcultures. This was before the internet developed, but visionaries and outside thinkers found each other through the festival and its widening ripples. The spirit was waking up all over the world.

What led you to start working with latex and how has that material served to evolve your style?

I enjoy experimenting with materials and had tried many different ones for costuming before I found latex. I had not been able to find a material or method that had all the qualities I wanted – durability, light weight, versatility in the forms it could take. I discovered it by accident when I bought some “play latex” at an adult store, meant for painting directly on bodies. I painted some on a piece of fabric and a light bulb went on! I had done a lot of paper mache before that and this application worked sort of like that, but with flexibility and a lot less weight. I began using it to construct things, incorporating all kinds of other materials that I would now consider no-nos, like tin foil and hot glue. But I got some pleasing results. People responded well to it. So I kept at it. I continue to experiment and refine my techniques today. There is still so much to learn and try with this wonderful material.

At a certain point, your wife encouraged you to take a leap of pursue your craft full time. What like for both of you? And what working together?

Photo: Konstant Karma, Model/MUA: Tristin Vitriol

Jennifer faith and was that is it like

Working together is great most of the time. There would be no Organic Armor if we weren't a team.

Our skills complement each other. I work at the studio most of the time, designing and fabricating. Jen works from home, splitting her day between homeschooling our son and Organic Armor admin and marketing. During crunch time she's in here making stuff too. She is very organized and practical which is crucial since I tend to be distracted and messy. She supports and loves my work like no one else.

Our son and daughter also get in on the act too: modeling, promoting, helping make things.

Photo by internationally known photographer John Farrar, with model Alia Artist.

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Has your work introduced you to new subcultures beyond Burning Man? Yes! So many of them: from cosplayers to LARPers to steampunks to belly dancers. I think all these subcultures have sprung up because of, or been enlivened by the DIY/ maker movement. People now often make their own entertainment. There is a lot more participating rather than just spectating. This is a beautiful thing and it is constantly evolving.

A genre we have lately started getting to know is the merfolks. There is a growing community of people who love to dress as mermaids and mermen, some wearing silicone tails that you can actually swim in. They have cons and websites and forums. Check out The Mertailer for some amazing tails.

I work 6 to 7 days a week so there isn’t much extra time for giddiness. But when there is time I spend it with my family, sampling the wonderful local food and beer of western NC or hanging out with Asheville's community of artists, performers and colorful folk. There are festivals almost every weekend, and even a local Burn. I still go out and dance all night now and again.

Are there any projects you're itching to tackle?

I'd like to do more collaborating with performers, filmmakers and photographers, starting from an original concept, with a real budget. A long term goal is to enter and travel to the World of Wearable Art contest held in New Zealand every year. And of course I'd love to make pieces for a big costume show like Game of Thrones or Once Upon a Time!

You seem to lead such an enviable existence living in a gorgeous locale and creating art.

What do you do just for you?

What makes you giddy these days?

Neon, Angelys & Jenna Rey of Venus Uprising (and World Dance New York) in their custom belly dance sets.

These were made for their Anime Assassins show in 2010. Photo by Scott Schuster.

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Any advice for artists stuck in corporate day jobs?

Find like-minded creative people and make/do stuff together. This will create community that supports your creativity.

Volunteer to do something in that community that's fun, that you care about, that is maybe a little beyond your skill set. This will give you a deadline.

Experiment, be open, discover, make mistakes. There are so many new materials and tools out there and lots of ways to put them together that no one has tried yet.

Try meditation, it is a great way to clear out the mind crud. Unplug yourself regularly. Art needs quiet time too.

When you feel like unplugging, I can think of no better way than to wander through Organic Armor’s imagery. Here’s where you may find them:

Organic Armor website Facebook page Twitter Pinterest Tumblr DeviantArt Model Mayhem

Morrighan headdress. Model Radhika, photo by Nick Adams

Steampunk Overlord in Organic Armor tails and breastplate

“I encourage everyone to participate joyfully in life’s masquerade.”

—Paul Hersey

Egyptian Mina belly dance set, photo by WinterWolf Studios, model: Erin Jade, MUA: Ruby Randall

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Nine T ails

by Shannon Lopez - part 3 of 3 *While the stories below are based on traditional Japanese folk tales much of the content had been heavily edited for length. The overall story and plot however remains unaltered.

Seventh Tail: A Fox Robs a Shopkeeper There once was a small tofu shop. Everyday a poor man came down from the mountains to buy a bit of food. One day, a man who frequented the tofu shop noticed that underneath the poor man's tattered robes was a bushy fox tail. The beggar revealed to the shopkeeper that he was in fact a fox from the mountains and wished to repay the tofu merchant's kindness by blessing his business. However, the fox demanded that while he and his kin blessed the shop that no one look upon them during the ceremony. Overjoyed by the fox's proposition the tofu merchant took no chances and that night ordered that none of his employees be allowed inside the shop.

The next morning, when the tofu merchant returned to his store he found that the foxes had stolen everything. They had tricked him and he was left with nothing.

Eighth Tail: Tamamo-no-Mae *song taken from: Japanese Fairy Tales, by Grace James.

One day a young maiden arrived at the palace of the Emperor. She danced with grace and possessed unrivaled beauty. The Emperor, smitten, offered her anything that she asked. The maiden asked that she only be allowed to remain in his palace that she might serve him. The Emperor happily agreed and gave her the name Tamamo.

It was not long after that Tamamo became the Emperor's mistress. She was could play any instrument put before her.

She was more talented at painting then any artist then alive and there was no subject that she did not have the utmost knowledge of. She was known as "the Jewel without Flaw".

So in love with Tamamo was the emperor that he began to neglect his duties due to his kingdom. He soon fell ill.

The servant began to worry.

"Surely our lord is possessed!" They muttered amongst themselves.

The servants sought the aid of Abé Yasu a wise-man and Diviner. For three day and nights Abé Yasu fasted and prayed. After he had completed his meditation, the wise-man went to the palace and took with him a sacred staff. He entered the chambers of Tamamo who sat before her mirror adorning herself in jewels and fine cloth.

"You come here uninvited." She said, "What would you have of me?"

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"My lady," spoke Abé Yasu “I have a song I wish you to hear."

"I do not wish to hear it," Tamamo replied, "for the Emperor lies dying in his bed."

Despite her protests Abé Yasu began to sing: “The wine is sweet, the aftertaste is bitter.

Set not your teeth in the golden persimmon, It is rotten at the core.

Fair is the scarlet flower of the Death Lily, Pluck it not.

What is beauty?

What is wisdom?

What is love?

Be not deceived. They are threads in the fabric of illusion!” * When he had finished his song, the wise-man took the sacred staff and touched Tamamo's forehead. Tamamo gave a terrible cry and in that moment changed into a fox with nine tails. The Nine Tails fled the palace and at the moment of her leaving the Emperor quickly recovered from his illness.

By the Emperor’s orders two of the lands greatest warriors gave chase. Despite a long and difficult hunt Tamamo was slain by an arrow. So evil was Tamamo's power that her body transformed into a stone that killed anyone who touched it. It became known as the Sessho-seki or "Killing Stone". It was sometime later that a traveling priest performed a spiritual ceremony that cleansed the stone and purified the spirit of Tamamo.

Ninth Tail: The Fox in the Brothel Deep in the mountains lived a poor woodcutter. As he followed the teachings of Buddha, the woodcutter refused to take the life of another living creature, even to satisfy his belly. One day during his travels he came across a vixen caught in a snare.

Feeling pity for the poor creature the woodcutter freed the vixen that then fled into the forest.

Three days later, the man rested outside his hut weary from his hard day’s labor. Suddenly, a beautiful woman dresses in silk appeared before him. Believing this woman to be a noble who had lost her way he prostrated himself before her. The lady smiled.

"Do not bow before me." She said, "I am the fox whom you saved three days past. I have come to repay your kindness and serve you all the days of my life."

The poor woodcutter bowed his head, "My lady I am unworthy of you. I am only a poor man and you a picture of beauty and grace. My reward is that you have honored me with this visit."

Intrigued by his humility, the fox woman offered an alternative, "At least allow me to obtain for you great wealth."

"How can this be done?" The woodcutter asked.

"Put on your finest robe and we shall go to the grandest brothel in the city. There you shall speak to the owner and tell him that I am your daughter and that circumstances have brought you so low that you have no choice but to sell me into their service."

The woodcutter was horrified at the prospect but before he could protest the fox laughed.

"Do not fear." She smiled, "For after you have the gold in hand and have departed I shall return to my true form and make my escape. You shall be rich and those who have done evil shall be punished."

And so it was done. The woodcutter and the fox, who had taken on the form of a radiant beauty dressed in fine robes of

silk and gold, went down to the grandest brothel. There they spoke to the owner who greatly desired the woman and offered the woodcutter thirty pieces of gold. The woman was greatly offended by such a low offer and threatened that if her father was not paid double she would leave for an even great establishment. Fearful of losing such a woman the owner relented. That night after the woodcutter had left, the fox returned to her true form and leapt from a window down into the river below. Finding her robes in the water the next morning the brothel believed that the woman had in fact drowned herself.

The fox returned to the woodcutter in a form lovelier than the last. "Have I not kept my word?" She asked him.

The woodcutter bowed before her, "My gracious lady, I am a hundred times repaid. I am the richest man in these parts and have used my gold to purchase a good piece of land and tomorrow builders will come to erect a home for myself."

"Would you not take me for your mistress?" The fox asked.

The man covered his eyes and said, "My lady, I am far from worthy of your most noble person. I shall build a shrine in your honor where my family shall forever burn the richest incense in your memory."

In that instance, the woman glowed with a radiant light and with a happy cry the woman spoke. "A thousand blessings upon you, you the most humble. I have lived on this earth for hundreds of years as a fox and only a man such as you, incorruptible, had the power to free me. I may no longer live as an animal but may now be reborn as a human."

The vixen then disappeared and the man built a great shrine where his family forever worshiped and gave thanks to her.

THE END See page 68 for part 1 and page 82 for part 2

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Beauty & the Bento

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A Cutlass Above New weapons-wielding classes to teach the finer points of single blade combat...

...for starters.

Have you ever wanted to learn swordplay? I sure have!

And now, thanks to the new Modern Dueling Academy, denizens of Rhode Island can parry with the best of them.

The academy (in its own words) is “dedicated to the safe and responsible education of our students in dueling techniques. We offer classes for all skill levels that are designed to help instill the duelist with control of their weapon and confidence in their skill.

Classes will begin in January, 2014. Beginner classes will consist of eight weeks of learning the basics of single blade rapier combat. Drills will focus on remembering footwork, angles of attack, blade control, and techniques to maintain your guard even while attacking. Beginner classes will focus on one on one combat.

Modern Dueling Academy accepts students 14 years of age and older. Students under 18 need parental consent.

Casey Duckett is the owner and head instructor.

Mr. Duckett has 19 years experience with various Western sword forms and was an instructor at the Providence Dueling Academy. He left teaching swordplay eight years ago to form Rhode Island Pirate Players a living history organization, and shall continue his career in piracy while instructing at this new studio.”

Editor’s Note: I am trying to cajole Mr. Duckett into considering some sort of interactive online class, via Google+ Hangouts or something of that ilk. This could take video swordplay to a whole new level.

Intermediate classes will consist of eight weeks of learning more advanced techniques of attack and defense. These include using a parrying dagger, fighting with a case of weapons, soft and rigid parrying techniques, and found weapons.

Intermediate classes will introduce our students to fighting at odds and in teams.

Advanced classes will consist of ongoing education where students can hone the skills they have learned during their beginner and intermediate lessons. These classes will be made up of individuals of differing skill sets, and students may use chosen weapon styles.

Advanced Classes will be held for advanced students where new weapons will be introduced, such as pole arms and projectiles. Advanced classes will allow students to fight one on one, at odds, and will introduce mass melee combat.

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“Fairy tales are more than true ~ not because they tell us dragons exist,

but because they tell us dragons can be beaten.” ~G.K. Chesterton

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a

Story of

Dragons

by Lyle Dagnen - part 4 of 4 (see page 86 for part 3) She could feel tears behind her eyes and she stopped so that she could latch onto any control she might still possess of her emotions. She had to make it to the end of this speech without tears in her voice. 'Tel turned to look at her, and amid all of this he smiled at her. 'Zar was standing in the place where he had been seated all day, and he too, smiled at her.

She took a deep breath, " 'Tel did end the life of the dragon in question, but it was not murder.

The dragon that was ended had been in the cave of an old one who had just passed. The old one had been a warrior with 'Tel and as he went to prepare the old one for his final journey, he caught the one that he killed leaving the cave with possessions of the old one. 'Tel ended that one's life, as the tribunal would have had he been brought before you." There was a rustle and a murmur of conversation passed among the group. "You simply did not look far enough into the action and in so doing you have made a horrible mistake." There it was; she questioned the council. She told them that they had made a mistake. It would end her time with the dragons.

She waited for a moment. "I am speaking to you and I am telling you the truth. I swear it before the council and my life hangs upon the statements I have made before you."

"I ask that you release 'Tel, that you allow him to return to the peace of his haven in the outer

realms.

I ask you...you with the power to judge...show that you can understand and know what he did and the reasons that he did it...I ask you for some kindness and to treat this dragon like you would any dragon in your common circle."

The last request had hit most of the dragons in their hearts, for they knew that they had not seen the whole story until she spoke and they recognized the flaw she pointed out. She was amazed when the senior tribunal member spoke. "'Tel you are innocent of the crime of murder, although you did kill one of your own in peace time. You are free to return to your place and we apologize for the inconvenience we have caused you."

'Tel returned her to 'Zar's shoulder and he moved to the circle that sat for the tribunal meeting. They all knew what was to be their last action.

There was a stillness among the dragons. The stillness went beyond their quiet time. 'Zar sensed it and she knew it was there. She turned to look at all of them because she knew what was going to happen to her. For a human to speak at the tribunal, to question the tribunal, to tell them they had made a mistake, meant that human would be banished. It was an ancient law and it had always been enforced.

She put her arm around 'Zar's neck as best she could, for dragons were very large and graceful creatures. Then she turned to be set down upon the ground.

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Standing on her own she felt so tiny and almost insignificant. She wanted to scream at them, to demand that the rules be changed, but she had learned that behavior to be unbecoming to anyone. She had wanted to spend her final years with 'Zar instead of with humans. Life there had not been what she had always wanted and there she was so much older than she was here.

This had been a good day. She had been with her beloved 'Zar, she had done something good, something some might call heroic. She felt the admiration of the group of gathered dragons. This was indeed a good day, her last with the dragons. She took one last, very deep breath and turned to face the gathered group. What surprised her were the tears in their eyes. Dragon tears to honor her; with this she allowed her tears to fall. She turned and waved goodbye to 'Zar, closed her eyes and with a warm swirling wind she was transported to the portal in the attic of the old house.

When she opened her eyes she was once more on the floor with the ancient book in her lap. On it's last page was a beautiful picture of 'Zar and his Susie on his shoulder and the writing said, "And so ends the story of the Warrior princess and her dragon. He lived to be an old dragon and dreamed of her often."

She closed the book and got up feeling every bone in her body ache. She hated growing old gracefully, and considered giving up that idea.

Placing the book in the chest, she gently closed the lid and noticed that the day was moving close to evening. She went out of the attic door and started down the stairs. She heard the front gate open with a loud squeak and by the time she was walking down the stairs she heard the call of her grandson as he stormed up the stairs to find her. He was so young and so full of energy and life, just as she had been when her great grandmother had encouraged her to go to the attic. Peace came over her. She knew what she would be to him now, for he could go and find his way to the valley of dragons.

"Gran'ma, I came to help. Where you want me to start?"

"Go to the attic, child, start there." With the words her great grandmother had said to her, she passed the journey to him. She smiled as he stormed up the stairs to his adventure.

Yes, this had been a good day, she smiled and continued down the stairs.

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Epilogue The grandson stepped quietly into the room where she lay. Her ancient parchment skin seemed to be a part of the linen pillow cases where she lay her head. He did not want to disturb her, she had so few, real moments of rest these days. As he turned to leave the room her hand fell to his and he turned to see what she needed. "Will you take me?"

"Where, Grandmother?"

"To the attic, I want to..." Her breath seemed to leave her. "I need to see my 'Zar." The grandson knew what she was talking about; he feared that she would not be strong enough to go and return. Even though she had lived another thirty years since the day she had allowed him to "find" the portal to the valley of the dragons they had spoken rarely of the adventures there. He knew she missed it so and he was so eager for the adventures that he found there. He had learned so much about his grandmother when the dragons told him the stories of her bravery and her adventures with the mighty black dragon, 'Zar. "Grandmother, you are so weak..."

"I'm dying," she softly said. dragons, please."

"Let me die with the

Somehow to him it seemed the right thing to do. He gathered her into his arms, she was merely a whisper of a person now, like carrying a small child. Her head nestled on his shoulder as he carried her up to the attic. Laying her on the floor, he opened the box that contained her story, now their story.

Removing the book, he took it to where she lay. Sitting and gathering her in his arms he moved the book to her. She clutched it to her heart, laying there in her grandson's arms, the dreams began again and she was young once more stepping into 'Zar's cave. He called to her; stepping on his arm he placed her on his back and they flew.

And in her grandson's arms she died, smiling and happy. With tears in his eyes he replaced the book and carried his grandmother's human form back to her bed and placed her there. He called the doctor and the hospital and he waited. He knew she was not there, her soul had traveled on and she was at peace. He wept for himself; his daughter would carry the child who would inherit the dragon story.

For now, he had this time of quiet to allow his tears.

“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected." ―

Charles Dickens

The famous library at Fontainebleau -100

Clementinum - Prague

El Real Monasterio de El Escorial - Madrid, Spain

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Bodleian - Oxford, England

Prefect Apostolic Vatican Library

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St. Gallen Abbey - Switzerland

Melk Abbey - Austria -103

St. Florian Monastery - Austria

Benedictine Monastery of Admont - Austria

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Old Library at Trinity College - Dublin

Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

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University of Coimbra - Coimbra, Portugal

George Peabody Library - Baltimore, Maryland -106

University Club - New York City

Rose Room at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

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Part Of their World

Growing up in the shadow of the Disney princesses

by S.K Munt When the question was first posed to me: ‘What was it like having Disney Princesses as role models growing up?’ a memory came to the forefront of my mind, a moment from my childhood I actually reflect upon often. Well, there were a few, but this particular one defined who I was very clearly. I was eleven, and The Little Mermaid had been released on VHS a year beforehand, and we didn’t have much money so I missed seeing it on the big screen and couldn’t afford to rent it ‘overnight’ from a video store, as we had no way of getting into town and back within 24 hours. The only time I got to watch it was when I went to stay with my sister’s family in Brisbane, one thousand kilometers away. She’d bought it for her children and I was obsessed. I’d spend most of my two-week vacation watching it over and over again until I had every line committed to memory.I was so taken in by Ariel’s song ‘Part Of Your World.’ Oh that voice!

That beautiful, magical voice! It was indeed the siren’s song! I would sing it constantly. In their shower, while lying in bed, while going on walks to the shop — over and over I hummed it.

Then came the 18 hour train ride home. Surrounded by strangers in close quarters, this song would plague me, only I couldn’t very well bust it out in front of anyone, especially given how hard some of the notes were. So I waited until it was time to lock myself into the shower cubicle and there, I would sing it as softly as I could stand as many times as I could manage, although this particular song demands to be

crooned loudly and I probably annoyed a lot of other weary travelers by using the bathroom four times an hour. All my life, I aspired to be able to hit every note of that song, but do you know what? I never could. There was always one line that would make me cringe so I’d sigh and start again. Well, that is until about four weeks ago when I finally sang it publicly at work! Boy did I saunter after that one! The next thing you know, this rough and tumble Irish bar has turned into Disney karaoke paradise! People couldn’t volunteer fast enough! Now given my obsession with this song, mermaids in general, and the fact that I just published a mermaid trilogy, you’d think I’d cite Ariel as my role model, when in fact, even at the age of eleven, I was shaking my head at her and the line: ‘Betcha on land, they understand, and they don’t reprimand their daughters…’ Then you become an adult, and a parent, and you start reflecting on the movie and think: ‘Okay...so she just left her family? For a guy who almost married someone else? A guy who was drawn to her looks and voice and didn’t actually hear a word she said?

My god! Ursula the sea witch was right — men don’t care, and Ariel doesn’t mind! What a flake! Ariel is the teenager we don’t want to raise. Who puts herself in dangerous situations for a boy? Who runs off with the one person her father actually forbids her from seeing, eludes minders and friends and risks everyone’s life, including her own, for a man who is pretty oblivious to her, right through the story?

This isn’t a role model. It’s a cautionary tale.

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Next to step up to battle for the Disney princess crown was Belle, of Beauty And The Beast. Belle is the levelheaded one. She dresses more demurely, has less striking features and hair than the others, tries to blend into the sidelines and reads constantly — and this substance is reflected in her character. How selfless she was, clever and sweet, sarcastic but capable of hiding it and not afraid to look a monster in the eye and scream right back. Belle is the perfect girl. The wallflower with a backbone who doesn’t mind being an outcast. This is the princess we should aspire to be. The two scenes that stick out to me the most in this movie were both book-related.

Her swinging along on that ladder in the bookstore, delighted, and then being led into the grand library at the Beast’s palace. I’ve been reading since I was four and those scenes haunt me to this day. I want that library! I was the weird girl who ran into things while reading — once even while reading and riding my bicycle home, I hit a car! Thank goodness they were reversing and didn’t know exactly why they’d managed to take me out, or I would have been dead meat!Which is, in a lot of ways, a reason why Belle is a poor role model. The slogan of this movie could be: ‘Curiosity almost killed the cat. A lot.’ Yes, Belle was brave to go into the forest by herself or stare down wolves or exchange her life for her father’s or lurk through the forbidden side of the castle; but did anyone else watch this with their fingers over their eyes? And if my kids made themselves an unwilling child-bride to a hideous monster to spare me in my golden years I’d kick their butt the moment they returned home!

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So yes, level-headed and kind to a fault. But not very good at making life choices, was she? Guess there’s only so much you can get from book learnin’!

Enter Aladdin and ‘Street Smarts.’ I remember being entranced by that movie and especially, miss Princess Jasmine. Now there was a firecracker! You understand why she rebels, she’s literally being forced to marry someone — anyone — even some evil old guy with a crooked mustache. She tries to make her father listen and when he doesn’t, takes matters into her own hands! Good girl! Jasmine was wonderful. She was light on her feet, a ‘very fast learner’ and she knew how to swivel the hips and lower the tone so perfectly to manipulate the opposite sex that I often wonder how many little girls looked at that moment where she fools Jafar and thought, ‘I want to be like her when I grow up!’ I know I did! I wanted the long black hair, the almond eyes, the curves, the belly button — all of it!

My friend Claire and I used to always play pretend and if I close my eyes I can still hear the pre-teen shrieks of. ‘No I’M princess Jasmine!!!’ ‘No I’m going to be princess Jasmine!!’ It was like Introduction to Seduction 101. Headstrong, stubborn, brave, witty... Very clued-in to the deceptions happening around her and not afraid to put her own neck on the block, Jasmine was magnificent. And boy, did she make Aladdin work for it! And then she sang...Oh she sang! Why she didn’t get a solo is beyond me, but that voice was like angels serenading the stars. For the first time in my life, I stayed in the movie theatre and watched the credits roll just to catch the name of that songbird: ‘Lea Salonga’ and I have been following her career since.

You may have noticed that I’ve ignored quite a few of the notable princess’s and I’m going to tell you why. For starters, they predate ‘my’ time, so the behavior of Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty had little to no effect on shaping who I am as a person. I always thought Snow White was rather plain and a bit of a pushover. She ran from the threat, cooked and cleaned for men to get by, bit the apple offered to her by a very questionable looking old lady (Say it with me: Stranger Danger!) and then had to get herself rescued by a prince. Aurora was the same. She played no part in her own destiny, only allowed herself to be dragged where the current led her and yes, rescued by a man. Cinderella was not much better. Though when you compare these movies to their time, you can see how they were socially relevant. But to me, unfortunately, it was always a little antiquated. The moral of the story seemed to be if you were sweet and pretty, someone would save you, but if you were old or ugly, you were a bad person who would come to hunt down the sweet and pretty ones. They were certainly beautiful stories that create the backbone of most romances written since, however, I’m grateful that evolution has come to the rescue — most notably, Drew Barrymore’s remake of Cinderella ‘Ever After’ in which the heroine is a feisty, forward thinking girl who rescues everyone else — even her enemies in the end.

Pocahontas and Mulan should get a mention too, representing the tough-as-nails native girls who have their priorities in the right place and are truly champions for their race. But unfortunately, both flicks fell to the wayside of the others in reception, just as they have in this article. It’s clearly a cultural thing. It is much easier to get hoards of western girls relating to buxom redheads, angelic blondes and exotic belly-dancing beauties, but who actually wants to grow up to run a tribe or join the military? These movies, along with The Lion King, always seemed to go over better with boys — more action, less swooning. I know the latter

two are actually my husbands’s favorites, so I guess Disney accomplished a much greater feat with those, getting growing boys to realize that they have heights they should aspire to as well, or they may end up with a girl saving their backsides! The Disney Princesses are role models — powerful, beautiful bewitching ones. I write because of their story-telling, I run karaoke and do musical theatre because of their songs, I take time with my hair and clothes because of their beauty and I try to be sweet to be deserving of a Happily Ever After. If I ever end up singing madly in my massive, personal library, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be pretending to be not one of the princesses, but all of them in that moment! I might even twirl like Belle in the meadow!Might? Who am I kidding? I’ll twirl, I’ll twirl. And I’ll have WD to thank for my blessings.

But the only way to keep the obsession healthy is to aspire to characteristics prevalent in all of them — not just one.

Follow your heart like Ariel and sometimes, life will put you in the path of true love. Read, like Belle, and you will become beautiful on the inside too, and might educate yourself enough never to enter into an awful marriage because the guy happens to be hot. And don’t be afraid to be different and stand out. You can only be seen clearly when moving in the opposite direction to the crowd. Speak up for yourself, like Jasmine. It is not enough to be beautiful and coveted — you must be able to think for yourself, to land on your feet when someone is trying to knock you down. Because even if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon that diamond in the rough, he might need the help of a good, strong woman to polish him up a bit before he is truly worthy of your time! And for the love of god, don’t listen to old ladies. Whether they’re giving you apples, granting your wishes, teaching you how to sew or planting rose vines in your yard, they’re probably up to no good! You’ve been warned.

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Snow White's Poisoned Candy Apples from The Disney Diner - makes 6-8 (depending on size of apples)

Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •

6-8 Granny Smith apples 3/4 cup water 1/2 cup light corn syrup 2 cups granulated sugar 1 ounce red food coloring (use the entire bottle from the 4 color set) cooking spray or oil 8-inch lollipop sticks or wooden skewers 1 cup Wilton Green Candy Melts (I used Vibrant Green but any green will work) 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening 1/2 cup Wilton Cocoa Candy Melts or chocolate chips

Directions

1. Wash and dry apples well. This step is important because if wax and oils are not removed then the candy coating will not adhere to the apple. Remove stems. Insert a lollipop stick or skewer into the hole.

Lightly tap it with a rubber mallet to push it down into the apple. Set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, stir water, corn syrup and sugar. Add in red food coloring. Heat to a boil. Insert a candy thermometer and cook until the temperature reaches 310 degrees.

3. While waiting for the candy to boil, prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with wax paper and spraying it liberally with cooking spray or oil.

4. When the candy has reached 310 degrees, tilt the pot while dipping an apple into the mixture, rolling to coat all sides. Let the excess drip and place the apple on the lined cookie sheet. (Watch the video below this post to see how this is done.) Let cool.

5. After the candy apples have hardened, place 1 cup of the Green Candy Melts and 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening into a microwave-safe bowl and heat on medium heat in 30 second increments until completely melted (or heat in pot on stove).

6. Drizzle the melted candy over the tops of the candy apples and let it drip down the sides to look like the poison in the movie. Return to cookie sheet and let set until hardened. You can speed up the process by placing them into the freezer or fridge.

7. Heat 1/2 cup of Cocoa Candy Melts or chocolate chips in a candy decorating bottle (found in most craft stores). You can also use a microwave-safe bowl then pour the melted chocolate into a freezer bag and snip off the corner to use as a decorating bag. Draw two eyes and a nose with the chocolate like in the images above. Let harden before serving. Enjoy!

Click here to watch the how-to-video Apple Art by Prudence Staite

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The original Sleeping Beauty Castle

King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein

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A pair of parting dragon poems from Lyle Dagnen Standing really still, in the pale moon light, The sound of Dragon wings fill the night.

My arms reach out, searching for the flight, A flight of soaring Dragons in the dark of night.

With sword in hand, with a powerful stance, Awaiting my dragon for the nightly dance.

We soared and flew, keeping a warlike stance, Keeping the peace with my sword and lance.

The magic is broken and I can only dream, Of that mighty black Dragon who knew only my name, Standing in the moonlight by a flowing stream, The sound of the Dragon's wings seems like a dream.

The dragons will fly when I die, Bringing me back to them, In the ancient valleys I will lie, With a shining blade by my side.

I rode and fought and flew with him, Black and shining like the night His name I called on the canyons rim, We sailed to the moon behind the clouds.

My dragon sleeps in the caves so deep, In the mountains beyond the sun He waits for me, while the others weep, We'll sail the world so wide.

The dragons will fly when I die Bringing me back to them, The black beast will fly, Taking me away to the valley next to him.

✢

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Fritter Away the Day with a recipe and poesy from Susan Brooks Fleming Apple Fritters • • • • • • • • • • •

2 large apples (I have used all kinds of apples for this recipe) peeled, cored and chopped or cut in chunks 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 eggs 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 3/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring Oil for frying

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl with a whisk. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl combine milk, eggs, vanilla, butter and beat with whisk.

3. Combine two bowls pouring the smaller into the larger and mixing well.

4. Peel, core, and cut up apples and fold into the batter.

5. Pour enough oil into skillet to make about 1/4 inch. Heat oil and drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil. (I use an ice cream scoop).

6. Cook until brown on one side, flip and continue frying until both sides are good and brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Makes about 1 1/2 dozen fritters depending on size.

A Prayer There should be magic for every child, Every day should hold imaginings wild.

No fear of harm, or for food tonight, Every child should have magic and delight.

-117

C o n fe s s i o n s of a

Dame Julie Andrews, as photographed by Annie Leibovitz

Fairy Godmother -118

by Joy de Vivre Fairy godmothers are the rarest of fae beings. Their sightings in popular fairy tales are primarily limited to Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, though in the contes of Perrault, Mme. d’Aulnoy and similar précieuses they figured more prominently.

Like their human counterparts, godmothers of the fae persuasion serve as mentors to their godchildren, helping them navigate life’s shoals, in this case, with the benefit of magic.

Have you ever come in contact with an actual fairy godmother? You have now. Yes, I have a fairy goddaughter, who addresses me and introduces me as ‘FGM.’ Even her mother acknowledges my station, and just made the comment “Thanks for being my daughter's FGM. Glad you can explain things to her when I can't.” on my Facebook timeline. That’s just one of the many duties I assume as an FGM. Another responsibility is introducing my FGD (fairy goddaughter) to magic — in my FGD’s case that means beautiful music and culture, including classical and operatic genres, belly dance, and more. And then there is the real magic — love. Striving to be a role model of how to treat and view others is paramount to teaching the loving life lessons incumbent upon a dedicated FGM. Interestingly, several years ago a friend asked for my help in boosting her tea room’s d w i n d l i n g b u s i n e s s , s p e c i f i c a l l y, b y orchestrating little girls’ themed tea parties. I ran a variety of event types including Fairies & Pixies, L’il Mermaids, Hollywood Starlets, and the ever popular Poof - You’re a Princess.

The princess parties were predicated on the premise that I was a fairy godmother-intraining, and that in order to earn my wings I would have to turn young ladies into princesses. This gave me the opportunity to talk about what being a princess is all about.

It’s not about focusing on physical beauty with dreams of opulence and being rescued by a hottie prince. It’s about representing one’s realm and caring for its subjects with fairness, consistency and generosity.

-119

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother

by Edmund Dulac, 1910

The games we played and activities we engaged in fostered teamwork, easy-going selfesteem and an awareness of the privilege of setting a good example for others by conducting oneself with graciousness, kindness and humor.

I have no idea if any of the altruistic seeds I sought to sow took root, but at least the moms were grateful for my efforts and most of the girls attending the parties gave me big hugs and left, not only with handmade tiaras and princess-worthy goodie bags, but with remarks like, “This is the best party I’ve ever been to” and “Mom, I want a party just like this on my birthday.”

Though I often feel earth-bound and unable to make my own dreams to take flight, and though my magic wand doesn’t always hit its intended mark, I wouldn’t give up my role as an FGM for all the wealth or fairy dust in all the realm.

For those of you who don’t have an FGM of your own, the FairyGodMother website is waiting to make wishes come true.

Apple Walnut Tart with Maple Custard

by Allie of Baking A Moment via Hip Foodie Mom - serves 10

Ingredients For the Walnut Crust: • 2 1/2 cups walnut pieces • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar • 1 egg white • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt For the Custard: • 1/4 cup cornstarch • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup heavy cream • 1/2 cup milk (I used 1%) • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 eggs Additionally: • 2 apples (I used Macoun), quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (keep in lemon water until ready to use) • juice of a lemon • 1/4 cup apricot jam, warmed (optional)

Wusthof Knives Snow White ad

Instructions Make the Crust: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 2. In a food processor or chopper, pulse the walnuts until the are finely chopped, and the pieces are about the size of breadcrumbs.

3. Place the chopped nuts in a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients, tossing together with a fork.

4. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom and up the sides of a 9inch tart pan with a removable bottom.

5. Bake for 15 minutes.

Make the Custard: 1. In a medium pot, whisk the cornstarch and salt together.

2. Slowly pour in the cream, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla, whisking, to avoid lumps.

3. Place the pot over medium heat, and bring to a bare simmer. Turn the heat down to low.

4. Crack the eggs into a small bowl, and ladle about a half cup of the hot cream mixture over the eggs, whisking to combine. Repeat with more hot cream, until the eggs are warmed.

5. Pour the egg mixture into the pot with the remaining cream mixture, whisking vigorously. Continue to cook, whisking, until the mixture is hot and thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon).

6. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, into a heat-safe vessel, and press cling wrap over the surface so that a skin will not form. Refrigerate until cooled.

Assemble the Tart: 1. Spread the maple custard in the walnut tart shell.

2. Warm the apple slices in the microwave until pliable.

3. Roll a slice of apple into a tight spiral and stand it up vertically in the custard. Continue to arrange apple slices in a concentric pattern, around the first one, building a rose pattern.

4. Warm the apricot jam, and thin it with lemon juice. Brush this glaze over the apples, for shine and to prevent browning (optional).

-120

Alas, the time has come for us to go through the portal leading back to what is charmingly referred to as the real world.

But that doesn’t mean the magic has to stop, as December promises to glow with seasonal wonders and delights.

As a yuletide gift, la Vie Sirene is granting both readers and contributors the month off. May the holidays warm your heart, soothe your soul, bring you unexpected gifts, and afford you all sorts of opportunities to express ‘peace on earth, goodwill toward men’... certainly anyone facing the malls will have ample opportunity for the latter. *wink* Looking forward to spending 2014 with you, Joy and the LVS crew -121