April Love 1855-6
By Arthur Hughes
1832-1915
Oil on canvas painting

This is Hughes’s best-known work. It was exhibited in 1856, accompanied by a quotation from Tennyson’s poem The Millers’ Daughter, whose theme is the frailty of young love. The picture is not a direct illustration of the poem, but echoes its theme, the fallen rose petals symbolizing love’s transience. The ivy, however, as a symbol of eternal life, may indicate the possibilities of salvation in the next world whatever the trials and tribulations of earthly existence. John Ruskin, the great champion of Pre-Raphaelitism of which Hughes was a leading exponent, was deeply impressed by the picture, and sought to acquire it. However, it was bought instead by William Morris.

THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER
By: Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)

T is the miller's daughter,
And she is grown so dear, so dear,
That I would be the jewel
That trembles in her ear:
For hid in ringlets day and night,
I'd touch her neck so warm and white.
And I would be the girdle
About her dainty dainty waist,
And her heart would beat against me,
In sorrow and in rest:
And I should know if it beat right,
I'd clasp it round so close and tight.
And I would be the necklace,
And all day long to fall and rise
Upon her balmy bosom,
With her laughter or her sighs:
And I would lie so light, so light,
I scarce should be unclasp'd at night.

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Candy Land 1949
image source:

While Eleanor Abbott of San Diego, California was recuperating from polio in the 1940s, she occupied herself with devising games and activities for youngsters who had polio. One of her inventions was called "Candy Land." Her young friends liked the game so much; she submitted it to Milton Bradley Company where it was immediately accepted. Since then, Candy Land has been recognized internationally as a "child's first game."

Fast Facts;

• The original 1949 edition of Candy Land only had locations (Molasses Swamp, Gumdrop Mountains, etc.) and no characters. Mr. Mint, Gramma Nutt, and the rest showed up in later versions.
• The 2002 edition of Candy Land replaced the classic Molasses Swamp with Chocolate Swamp. The theory behind this change is that children are more familiar with chocolate than molasses.
• The Give Kids the World: Village edition of Candy Land was produced by Hasbro especially for the Give Kids the World Village. The GKTW Village is a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. In this version, traditional Candy Land characters and locations were replaced with the venues and characters of the Village. Characters like Mayor Clayton, Ms. Merry, and others are represented on the board.

~~~~~~

I hope all of you are having a great weekend. Now I am off in search of a personal lollipop ;0)

Labels: Art, Poetry

N Posted by Rain at 4/21/2007 09:02:00 PM

4 Comments

 tomshideaway posted at 12:42 PM  
great poem, kinda want to get close to someone now, Good luck on you search hope you don't find any suckers!!

 Anonymous posted at 7:13 PM  
the howard huges painting is absolutely beautiful. thanks for sharing that. Painting of people are not normally my style, I go in more for scenery, animals or fantasy, but that Huges one sure got my attention.

 Anonymous posted at 11:28 AM  
Rav'n is right, the painting April Love is gorgeous and I love the poem The Miller's Daughter by Tennyson.

I had no idea that the game Candy Land was invented right here in San Diego. I learn something new every time I visit your site.

XOXOXOXO ~Candy

 jules posted at 12:32 PM  
Be sure and get one of those all day suckers!

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