Another case of two posts in one day! Don't hold your breath - it usually means I haven't blogged for a month! When I rediscovered my 'crafty' inclinations a couple of years ago (this co-incided with my youngest child starting school), I became interested in using proverbs (Gaelic ones in particular) in my work. I intended to use them possibly as part of a cushion cover, wallhanging or similar - however I took a completely different direction and decided to make Harris Tweed dinosaurs instead! Anyway, during the summer tidy up of my work area, I came across my humble (and rather crude) first attempts at embroidering text.
I took out a book on Gaelic proverbs/sayings from the local library as reference. This one made me laugh, which I guess is why I used it. Roughly translated, it means "You don't know someone until you've shared/burned a peat stack with them". Peat was the traditional fuel in the islands until a few years ago. Every house had a peat stack beside the home and ours was no exception. I think the proverb makes reference to a married couple, (a peat stack would last for up to a year) - suggesting you don't know someone until you've lived with them in close domestic proximity for some time). I might be wrong!! but that's my interpretation.
4 comments:
I suppose the modern version would be- Chan aithnich thu fear gus an loisg thu tanca ola comhla ris - doesn't quite have the same ring to it, Still it's a good principle.
Oidhche mhath
Iseabail X
I think a monthly post on Gaelic proverbs (sean fhacail) would generate a bit of fun debate! Next month's "sean fhacail" will be .... (I'd better get that book out of the library again!)
A.
How about an old favourite like - "Ruigidh each mall muilinn" Handy one for situations which don't seem to be making much headway. And I can think of a few of those right now. Grrrr!
Ishbel
"A lame horse will reach the mill?" - you need a good holiday! See you soon. A.
Post a Comment