the kettle whistles
up a flickering shadow
night owl

7 Responses

  1. Alan Summers Says:

    Always a delight to feature here!

    Whistling kettles have a long history.

    Whistling kettle

    The word kettle originates from Old Norse ketill, “cauldron”

    In February 1888, Charles Coats, from Illinois, US, applied to patent his invention.
    More than two decades later Jorgen Madsen, New Jersey, US, did the same for his Combined Tea-Kettle and Signal. Then the invention of the whistling kettle is commonly attributed to Londoner, Harry Bramson, who sold the patent rights in 1923.

    For those of us who grew up with whistling kettles, there are enduring memories of that piercing whistle, accompanied by shouts of, “Kettle’s boiling!”, “I know!”
    The Kettle: Past, Present, and Future | Aqua Libra Co

    British films with whistling kettles:
    1. Whistle Down the Wind is a 1961 British crime drama film starring Hayley Mills, and Alan Bates.
    2. The Strangest 1970s Public Information Film of All

    Famous whistling kettles in American films include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”; “Fatal Attraction”, and “Desperately Seeking Susan”

  2. Mark Forrester Says:

    Beautiful imagery and an evocative mood!

  3. mary jo balistreri Says:

    Whistling tea kettles…what good memories they conjure.

    I like the way the whistle of the kettle rises into the shadow of that black owl…
    perfect for this day of Halloween.

    Thanks for the info on whistling kettles.

  4. Alan Summers Says:

    Thanks Mark

    re:
    “Beautiful imagery and an evocative mood!”

    Much appreciated.

    Alan

  5. Alan Summers Says:

    Thanks Mary Jo!

    “I like the way the whistle of the kettle rises into the shadow of that black owl…”

    My brother-in-law’s kettle is electric only, no whistle, and super fast, yet I miss the “iconicness” of a whistle!

    Alan

  6. martin gottlieb cohen Says:

    It’s funny how nature breaks through…

    despite itself the electric kettle’s rumble

  7. Alan Summers Says:

    Hi Martin,

    Despite a single toxic coated seed able to kill a songbird, I wonder why big pharma wants to make song extinct, its mission is bigger than any greedy act.

    change of season
    I holster my six gun of tunes
    buckle on a winter coat

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