They sailed away, for a year and a day…

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Eugenia Mooney

One of me favorite past times is to read me large collection of books. Every once in a while I get the notion to go back and pick up one of me books from childhood and take a good peruse. This morning I took it upon meself to ponder the likes of Edward Gorey and Edward Lear. Two of me favorites as a child growing up. Can’t imagine why I took such a liking to these odd gentlemen who were both prolific in their unique works. Of course, if ye’ve come to learn anything at all about Mrs. Mooney, ye’ll know I consider silliness next to cleanliness…or would that be cleanliness next to silliness…

Oh well, no matter, I believe ye get me point!

So this morning I will share with you a wondrous limerick by Edward Lear and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Of course I am currently working on a NEW Half Penny Dreadful that I shall post shortly along with my latest in profound limerick-ery for yer pleasure.

The Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!’

Pussy said to the Owl, ‘You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?’
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

‘Dear pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?’ Said the Piggy, ‘I will.’
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

…and if that weren’t enough te tease yer brain, visit Edward Lear online.

Penny Dreadful Poppets™

All of me Penny Dreadful Poppets™ are all lovingly handcrafted in uniquely unusual designs (with a bend toward the macabre or arcane)…no two are ever the same!

Once ye acquire one, ye must name it to make it yer own!

Mrs. Mooney’s Penny Dreadful Poppets™ come in three main styles: Parlour Pallor Poppets™, Pyratica Authentica Spirit Dolls™ & Pocket Mojo Babies™

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Parlour Pallor Poppets™ are inspired by Victorian era “Stump Dolls”. Stump dolls originated in the late 17th century – though they have ties to the origins of all dolls. Stump dolls were of a single piece construction – usually without limbs attached (though some included arms and legs attached to the clothing). Early versions were made from wood (carved or turned) and had a very “flat” appearance with little shape. Later they were made from swaddling cloth or old bits of material left over which made them more “cuddly” and thus more popular!

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Pyratica Authentica Spirit Dolls™ are a tribute to me lovely second (or is that third?) home – New Orleans. Made from ancient Bur Oak and Spanish Moss, these poppets are inspired by the Voudon fetish dolls that came to America from West Africa and Haiti. Each one carries a Gris Gris bag to attract the positive forces of Love, Health, Prosperity and Protection. They are decorated with other items that will may serve whatever purpose you are most in need of.

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Pocket Mojo Babies™ are the dreadfully cute cousins to the larger poppets. Small and cuddly with a bell around their neck to dispel negative energies and a small token of meaning – they also have some spectacular hairstyles! Like the Victorian Stump Dolls, Pocket Mojo Babies™ have no visible arms or legs, but can accompany you on any journey. They are strong enough to protect you, sweet enough to attract company and sure to make anyone grin!

Penny Dreadful Stories

I love to read in my spare time so let me introduce you to a Victorian craze that still continues today.

The Penny Dreadful (or Penny Blood) was a term applied to 19th century British fiction publications, usually lurid serial stories appearing in parts over a number of weeks, each part costing a penny.

The term, was soon applied to a variety of publications that featured cheap sensational fiction, such as story papers and booklet “libraries.” The Penny Dreadfuls were printed on cheap pulp paper and were aimed primarily at working class adolescents.

Half-Penny Dreadfuls came about in the mid-1890s when publisher Alfred Harmsworth decided to do something about what was widely perceived as the corrupting influence of the Penny Dreadfuls.

He issued new story papers, The Half-penny Marvel, The Union Jack and Pluck, all priced at one half-penny. At first the stories were high-minded, moral tales, reportedly based on true experiences, but it was not long before these papers started using the same kind of material as the publications they competed against.

A. A. Milne once said, “Harmsworth killed the penny dreadful by the simple process of producing the ha’penny dreadfuller.”