These are English expressions used to describe something done for a bit of carefree fun; usually on a sudden impulse or whim.  It can be silly and gay.  It can be mischievous - but never malicious.

"Come on, join me in the three-legged race ... it will be a lark!"

Marie decided to buy a new hat on a lark.

The children turned their desks around backwards, just for a lark, before the teacher came into the room. 

"Stop larking about and turn those desks back 'round front", she laughed.

Sigh, I definitely need to go on a lark right now!!

Do you ever wonder why so many kitchen items feature roosters?  Everything from canisters to casserole dishes, potholders to pictures, and spoon holders to salt and pepper shakers.

A rooster in the kitchen brings you good luck - plain and simple!  This belief is  pretty universal around the world.  Many countries relate fables wherein the rooster features prominently as the bringer of good luck to some situation or other.  So common superstition says you would be well-advised to add one to your kitchen paraphernalia - if you haven't brought got one already!  Check your kitchen - there is probably one lurking somewhere, as people often gift kitchen roosters in the form of towels, utensils, dishes or other kitchen do-dads ... they might even be worked into your tiles.  I actually relish the day when the "sterile" stainless steel kitchen trend comes to an end ... and colour and variety returns.  Then not only the humble kitchen rooster - but all those lovely  French Provencal blues, yellows, reds and whites - can make a well-deserved comeback in kitchen tiles, counter tops and floors.

But in the meantime,  why not incorporate a rooster into your kitchen decor to bring good luck and good fortune into your home.  You'll get all of the benefit ... without any of the early morning cock-a-doodle-doing! 

​I think most people are familiar with Aesop's Fable about The Fox and the Crow.

​In this story, the Crow has found a wonderful round of cheese and is sitting in a tree, when along comes a sweet-talking fox.  He wants the cheese for himself, but how to get it?  He convinces the Crow that she has a beautiful voice and would love to hear her sing.  She is flattered, opens her mouth to sing and, sadly for her, the cheese drops to the ground.  Now, when you think about this fable, it becomes apparent that casting is important.  Crows are really, really intelligent.  Only a sly fox would have been right for this role ... for who else, in the entire animal kingdom would have the ability to out-smart a crow?

                                            Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 
(gif courtesy of AnimatedImages.org)

​How appropriate then that even now, bunnies are often shown as a young girl's companion in modern art depictions or decoratives.  Perhaps, in older times, the Spring Maiden, or Ostara, was accompanied by an Oster Hare, as the Easter Bunny is called in Germany.  There is some contention on this matter as to whether or not the Spring Goddesses of ancient days were connected with hares, eggs and other symbols of Spring at all ... or if that is a more modern connection recorded around the time the Grimm Brothers collected their fairy tales.  It matters little to us plebeians! In the eternal mind, the connection was made because it is the correct one.  Bunnies and girls both represent youth, vitality and beginnings ... in every way the very essence of Spring!  ​