"A Kiddley Divey Too, Wooden Shoe?"

Very wet again today. I shot duelling (singing) robins this morning.

Our horsey friends came to greet Jazzy dog and me under the old oak tree. The light grey one reached over the fence to nibble at the ivy inseparably entwined around the trunk and the dark grey munched on holly.

I have learnt today that in ancient English village life there was a midwinter custom of holding singing-contests between men and women, where the men sang carols praising holly (for its "masculine" qualities) and disparaging ivy, while women sang songs praising the ivy (for its "feminine" qualities) and disparaging holly. (Needless to say, more of the men's songs have been recorded and survived than the women's.) Women do like an inseparably entwined cuddle. :)