Queen Balkis, butterflies and a funny bird

Hi Everybody!

We had a cool and rainy day here today. I got rather wet walking along the Rhine, but the air was so fresh, and everything smelt of spring - just wonderful. And as it was raining no one was out and about, and I love the feeling of having my piece of the world just for myself!

For Art Journal Journey, favourite poem or quote, and Moo Mania and More, butterflies, I made a journal page about Queen Balkis. The quote is part of a poem from Rudyard Kipling (who also wrote the 'Jungle Book'). Here is the whole poem:

THERE was never a Queen like Balkis,
From here to the wide world’s end;
But Balkis talked to a butterfly
As you would talk to a friend.

There was never a King like Solomon,
Not since the world began;
But Solomon talked to a butterfly
As a man would talk to a man.

She was Queen of Sabaea—
And he was Asia’s Lord—
But they both of ’em talked to butterflies
When they took their walks abroad!

I used a scanned copy of one of my painted backgrounds, added some background stenciling, collaged the butterfly queen, bird and planet, and the quote was computer generated.

Yesterday I enjoyed the blossoming trees and the fresh, green leaves in the park - seeing the blossoms against a blue sky is just balsam for me.

The blue jay sneaked onto my balcony again to nibble on the fat balls. He is always shy, and tries to hide. Today he hid behind the big cactus and kept peeking over the top to make sure I was still sitting at my desk and not noticing him! It was great fun watching him.

Have a great day you all, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by.