Saturday, December 5, 2009

Shy, not sly

In 1650, an Englishman, Robert Brooke, imported twenty four red foxes from Britain. They came by ship to America. Most of them escaped into the woods where the horses could not fit through the thick stands of birch and oak. Today, they range all over the U.S., why I've even seen one or two in my neighborhood. You have to be very still around them, however. They dart away at the slightest gesture.
Some countries consider the fox the deity of farming. They repress the mice population, its true, but extra precaution must be taken to keep them from loitering around the henhouse. A fox necklace is pictured here, with an old calico button, and a venetian trade bead, and strung on Irish Linen tread.

Foxes use the same den for many generations. They like to remodel and expand on deserted homes of badgers, and stoats. Often they add long secret tunnels, leading to pantrys and secret storerooms.


A fox weighs about twelve pounds, it comes as rather a shock to see their consumption of pie. This one is president of the Mince Pie Society.
Its best not to inquire into too much detail concerning the ingredients of said pie.



Here is the Christmas ornament from last week, dried , fired and painted. Oh, and if on some crisp night you hear three successive short yips, it might be you've been lucky enough to hear the "lost call" of the red fox. Listen carefully when you turn out the lights tonight......
xx




juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

24 comments:

cabin fever said...

Julie-
Truly a wonderful history lesson on Mr. Fox. Did not know all of those facts!

The new pieces show Mr. Fox in his best light. Especially love that necklace and the ornament, but they are all special, as usual!

Fox is, indeed, a very special creature, and in Native American Choctaw medecine, Fox is honored as he keeps the family together and safe.

Thank-you for sharing this Fox information along with your wonderful pieces!!! A pleasure, as always.............

Xoxo Liz

Unknown said...

fantastic ;)

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

Love the fox story....

and the fox necklace is adorable....looks like a button...love it.....

who did i just see running by with a pie? was it mr. fox?

Maria said...

Love the fox art! I've only seen foxes a few times but each time I've felt truly charmed.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Love your foxy studies Julie - the tree ornament is cute - and as always, the pics are accompanied by something very interesting to read. Lesley

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Mr Fox is welcome to the Vintage Fairy Tales any time,
we have some really tasty pies over here too !
It would be nice if he brought his red and white polkadotted scarf, that would look so great in the photographs.
Love
Becky

lilylovekin said...

Thanks for all the fox info. I've rarely seen a fox if ever. I'm so glad to get to see them through your eyes.

Pamela said...

best post ever. pamela hearts the fox cup. TLA. BFF!
xoxoxo
:)

Nancy A. said...

Loved the fox facts. Last week when my husband and I headed to town one of our neighborhood foxes crossed he road in front of us. A special afternoon sighting.
I just love all your pottery.
How about another story for Christmas with these new pieces.Please...

Kathi D said...

I LOVE my new foxes!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

Buddy and I thank you so much for the kind words and concern..we sure had a scare over here....

sitting by the fire tonight..quiet Christmas music playing softly, candles lit, tree has it's lights on..and little Buddy...sleeping soundly on his Christmas blanket....

sure let's you know what matters...

xxx
Love,
kary and buddy

susan jenkins said...

Absolutely wonderful! Love, love all about the fox and just beautiful pieces once again!!

XO Susan

Diana said...

I love your sweet pottery Julie. And I have just discovered that we are practically neighbors and both here on the central coast. I will stop by for a visit more often.
Hugs
Diana

hens teeth said...

Julie, your post is a feast for the eyes.
I didn't know that about the Foxes either, so thank you.

Claire said...

Cooee From Downunder Julie. Love your fox ornaments, I love foxes despite their rather unpleasant habits, I love hearing them call at night. We have quite a few around here but they steer clear of my hen house thankgoodness. By the way Julie, I am very interested in seeing the rest of the shirt/ jacket you were wearing in the photo, it looks very interesting.

Claire

CathWren said...

Oh my, is that what that sound was. Such lovely little creatures. One night I happened upon three little ones who were frolicking near the roadside as their mother was off somewhere hunting. But they were wise, they scurried off to safety when they saw my headlights.

What a lovely little keepsake Julie. Happy Holidays to you! ~ Catherine

susan jenkins said...

wouldn't gramma and grampa be surprized and so love that one of his letters to her was shown with your beautiful pottery??

xx sis

Anonymous said...

Oh how I enjoy on a night so chilly the warming tails/tales of your quill dear Whitty. Never ever ever in my long legged life did I hear the journey of the red coats. I imagine your audience gathered in a small old library (smell it) wide eyed and waiting on your next words. So happy to be one of those students. Small- leggy -hot house basil plant sits upon the sil. Enjoy the season. xoxox Dame of Pesto

annamaria potamiti said...

Hi Julie, what lovely work! I just discovered IT because I visited Cathy Cullis' blog and she has a Flickr mosaic with your work included- I am on the run now but I have to come back and look through your so very interesting blog-
Best,
Annamaria :)

the lemonade girl said...

oh -how i so love to come over to visit your world,wish we lived down the same dirt road-my passion flower vine is so full-id give you hand fulls of the flower heads to float in your bowls of water-singing and skipping love jo.

Maggie Ann said...

Yes, we have seen several fox around our parts and they are fast like a streak! crossing the road, and small. Should I mention I have a gloriously beautiful red fox pelt displayed in our family room? It was for sale at a fair and I fell in love with it at first sight and it allows me to caress the beautiful animal that God created....warm wishes for a Happy and Blessed Christmas.

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Wonderful wonderful .. I love your tribute to one of my favourite animals. Mr Fox is a fine beast and as you know we were lucky enough to have a visiting dog fox in our garden last week.
I made him a special festive treat of honey sandwiches and hope he will return to unwrap them on Christmas day..
Beautiful foxy creations..

Happy Christmas to you.
Michele x

Librarian said...

Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog - otherwise I wouldn't have come across yours!
Foxes are indeed fascinating. I live near Stuttgart, which is the state capital of Baden-Württemberg in South Germany, and one of the keepers at the zoo told me that Stuttgart has an estimated population of 3.500 foxes. They live well here, with people leaving half-eaten pizzas around, the fat city pigeons, rats and other animals for prey.
But they constitute a danger for the zoo animals and have taken their toll on the penguins and flamingo, until electric wires were installed that are switched on as soon as the day's visitors leave the zoo.
I particularly like the idea of a fox being president of the Pie Society :-)

Punctuation Mark said...

love the big bad wolf!!!

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
Donkey with green paw