How to Ride a Horse or Seahorse-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

August 23, 2013 by

how to ride a horse

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: How to Ride a Horse or Sea horse on Hermit Island…

The sea horses in our children’s story, The Viking and the hermit: Spear Fishing with Sasha & Kasha, are not like other seahorses, but you can ride them very similarly, just like a regular horse.

The Difference Between a Horse and Our Sea horses

First, we need to point out some differences on how to ride a horse from one of our sea horses in our story.  A sea horse  is more upright than a horse, but is similar in height.  Instead of holding reins like on a horse, you hold around the neck of the sea horse.

Horses Gallop vs. Sea Horses Skip

The sea horse does not gallop or trot like a horse, but a ride on one springs and bounces much like a pogo stick instead.

There is a rhythm of movement while riding a sea horse as well. It is both forward, and riding over a hump, like a horse on land, but the hump is bigger and more vertical in riding, as the sea horses spring, skip and jump.

A horse can navigate over land of course, and water too, but the sea horses of our story are supreme swimmers as well as mobile on land for riding.

Similarities Between Riding a Horse and Our Sea Horses

Our sea horses have a saddle area or curve of their backs for riders to sit, although the ride is bare back, and without any stirrups.

Mount a Sea Horse

To mount a sea horse for riding, a rider must hold to the sea horse neck, and lift and swing up onto the sea horse.  The sea horses are very good at sitting still to make this easier if you first pet them, and rub their long noses.  You can then rub between their eyes, and stroke their head comb, over and down to the back of the neck, where you need to place your hand to lift yourself up for riding.

How to Ride

A rider sits upright and straight on the back of the sea horse, much like a horse. To ride, you want your shoulders straight and not rounded.  For riding, you need your lower back to not be curved, but lined up under your shoulders.

To ride like Viking, and because she is so tall, she does not need to swing up onto the back of the horse like Hermit.  She can just scoot up, and keep both legs to one side, like side-saddle on a regular horse.

how to ride a horse

The Difference Between How to Ride and Stop a Horse from a Sea Horse

Since there are no reins with our sea horses, to stop the skipping, hopping or jumping, riders need to lightly squeeze with their legs to first let the sea horse know.  Then, a rub on the neck where riders hold, will tell the sea horses to come to a stop.  It also helps to just say, “Whoa Kasha.”, or “Let’s stop Sasha.”

Our sea horses in our story, and particularly Kasha and Sasha are very smart, and will hear voice commands well.  Especially if they have gotten to know you, like Hermit, and know that Hermit likes Viking, and it’s OK to like Viking too.

How to Ride a Horse or Seahorse-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

Courtney & Betina

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Becoming a Hermit-Hermipedia

August 13, 2013 by

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Becoming a Hermit-Hermipedia

How did Hermit become a hermit?

What are the reasons for becoming a hermit, and how does the time, life and home evolve for people who are hermits happen?

Becoming a hermit can be completely by accident, and with Hermit’s life and home on Hermit Island, we know in our story that his time there has been vast, and the reasons for exactly why he found himself alone to be a hermit are unknown to him from lack of memory.

Hermit’s reasons for becoming a hermit are not voluntary like others, but due to his state of predicament and keen survivalist instincts. The self-sufficiency he needs in his life and time on Hermit Island, where he found himself washed up to the beach as what seems now a life time ago, are his reality.

His home life displays the years of life and time accumulated and necessary to construct, build and grow the essentials for survival on his new home Island.

Hermit finds that although his time spent on his new home gave him new things to learn, they came quite naturally to him, and he concludes that he must have known how to do many things in his previous life that he can’t remember, before waking up on the beach, and becoming a hermit there over the years.

Hermit’s reasons for being a hermit might some day come back to him.

Each morning, he wakes from his dreams, and tries to hold that dream in his head before it melts, and he forgets.  Sometimes in his dreams, he fights with a sword and shield, and sometimes he just sits with other soldier men around the flames of a campfire.

Only glimpses stay with him like fire flies that shoot from a flame, dance in the air and disappear.

What he does know from his dreams and faint memories of people from a time ago, is that they looked to him for guidance, and he was confident and strong, just like he feels now with his handcrafted spear and braided jute rope.

becoming a hermit

What Are Some Common Reasons for Becoming a Hermit?

Some will call it a recluse, but one of the reasons could be someone who rejects consumer or commercial society, and removes himself.

Another of reasons might be religious or mystical, or similar to Hermit just practicing self-sufficiency and survival.

Some criminals become hermits, because they have to hide out, and away from the police or authorities, and others might have a psychological disorder from traumatic stress or personality traits.

Most of the famous hermits in history were born of religious reasons.

Our Hermit of The Viking and the hermit:

One day, Hermit will remember how and why he became a hermit, and made his permanent home to survive on Hermit Island.  Hermit will remember his life from before, and you shall too some day.

Becoming a Hermit-Hermipedia

Courtney & Betina

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About the Vikings-Hermipedia: The Viking and the Hermit

July 25, 2013 by

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Hermipedia Feature: About the Vikings

If you’re new here, Hermipedia is a made up encyclopedia mix of fact and fiction to explore and explain all characters, wild life, activity, flora and fauna of Hermit Island, where our Illustrated Children’s Book Series Adventure, The Viking and the hermit takes place.

Today we are learning some Viking’s History and about the Vikings!

The Meaning of the Word, “Viking”

The word “viking” is an Old Norse(Icelandic language) noun which refers to an expedition overseas usually by ship. In other expressions, “to go on a viking” meant to go on a raid or participate in piracy, but could also simply have meant to have a seaborne mission of trade or commerce.

Viking Revival Age

Much of what we know about the Viking’s history today is based on the 19th Century Viking Revival Age, which was a rediscovery of the Viking past for Norwegians.  At this time, Norwegians  saw a rise in nationalism, and began to look to their Viking history and ancestry more.  With the discovery and excavation of the first Viking ship there, it gave Norwegians new knowledge about the Vikings, their history and their culture.

This Viking ship was built around 900 A.D., and in a ship or boat burial mound of dirt. We also know that the only complete Viking helmet ever found was in Norway.

The Viking Revival Age also marked when Norway and Sweden came together in history under one Swedish King.  Norway was previously united with Denmark until a Declaration of Independence, war and Treaty agreement resulted in the official United Kingdoms of  Sweden and Norway between 1814 and 1905.

During this Viking’s Age, the theory that Vikings explored North America centuries before Christopher Columbus were published and discussed. Today in America, Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9th, in honor of the first Europeans or Vikings to set foot in North America, and discover the New World.

Columbus Day is still celebrated on October 12th as his arrival in the Americas in 1492.

The Viking and the hermit:

Although much of Viking’s past remains a mystery to Hermit, and he knows that she is sensitive talking of it, Viking and Hermit both find great comfort in each other’s company, and feel connected, as if they know each other from a time before.

Each day on Hermit Island, Viking learns something new, and she grows more confident in her skills and place there.  Each task proves she can learn more, and she likes the way that makes her feel.  She left her Viking village and family lost and alone, but she now has Hermit and his Island as her new friends.

At night, she lies in her guest home-clam house bed, and looks at her beautiful Viking helmet gift from her father, resting on the shelf above.  The pain of not seeing him subsides slightly, as she thinks of waking up to be ready to spear fish with Hermit.

Courtney & Betina

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Hermit Living-Hermipedia

July 18, 2013 by

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Hermipedia Feature: Hermit Living

What is life like for Hermit on Hermit Island, and how is Hermit Living different?

First, Hermit life means one must have basic skills to survive on Hermit Island, such as how to build a fire, hunt, catch fish, construct a shelter, sculpt and carve tools, and how to grow and harvest crops for food and other essentials.

Since Hermit Island is full of wildlife, including dangerous predators, Hermit living requires years of awareness, agility, strength and wits.  Many of Hermit Island living predators roam at nightfall, and this demands needs to calculate the time of day by sun, as well as navigate direction to be home and safe timely.

Hermit life means Hermit must finish all necessary chores before sunset, be back at Clam House Clearing, tuck into his clam shell, draw his step ladder inside, and seal the clam shut for safety.

Hermit living takes planning, intelligence and adaptability as Hermit shows by cleverly using the slippery and angled clam shell for housing. The roaming gitchoos cannot climb the sides of the shell, and the shell mouth squeezes together, keeping out zingos, while giving life air to breath.

Hermit found those giant shells in the deep water of Hermit Bay riding and swimming with Kasha for many years.  They were perfect man cave-clam caves. Kasha, Sasha and their seahorse friends helped Hermit lift the shells from the water, and push them to the clearing.

hermit living

Hermit living keeps Hermit busy, and he gets moments here and there to remember his past. Sometimes, Hermit throws his spear like a javelin for practice, and he admires his own strength.  For his small size and years, he is able to throw it many yards across the meadow, and with supreme accuracy.

Hermit imagines himself in a life dressed in armour, with roaring crowds applauding his athletic prowess. He hears them cheer as they rise to their feet in the stands.  This life seems real, and not just a day dream.

As he throws his jute lasso over one shoulder, and walks across the field to retrieve his spear, the crowd noise dissipates, and the dream life clears. He pulls his spear from the grass, and looks out from the field over the hills to the water of Hermit Bay.  It is beautiful.  The sand glistens in the sun, and the water sloshes up to the rocks.

Hermit living is a familiar challenge, while peaceful and comforting, and it is his.

Courtney & Betina

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Viking Ship-Hermipedia

July 15, 2013 by

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Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Viking Ship

Viking set sail, leaving her village in the dark, stormy night on her Viking Ship. She didn’t know where she was going, except away, and sailed many days and nights before seeing a lone island in the distance.

There were many times repeated on the sea in her Viking Ship, as if she sailed in circles.  It was after the worst stormy night, when she thought she may perish into the tossing waves, that the sun appeared, and she caught a glimpse of Hermit Island on the horizon.

Thanks to her sturdy Viking Ship with overlapping planks of flexible wood, and a single spine or keel foundation, she survived to see her refuge over the wave caps in the distance, before taking on too much water.

Types of Viking Ships

Viking ships came in various sizes, and were used for different functions. For example, a Karve was a smaller type of Viking ship that was used for human or livestock transport, and could handle very shallow depths. Other types of ships were Knarr, Faering and Longships used by the Vikings.

Viking Ships: Longship Construction

Viking’s ship was called a longship that is designed for speed, exploration and warfare for Vikings, and can even land on beaches.  It is double-ended, so that it can change directions easily, and travel both directions without turning the boat.

The overlapping split-oak planks are just one inch thick, and are stronger than any sawed plank of wood.  They form layered ribs riveted together, that make the hull of the ship both strong and supple.

Ship Navigation for Vikings

Vikings were very precise in their navigation, and knew the tides, landmarks and sailing routes well.  They used routes passed down from ancestors, and could even spot the position of a whale in the water, to know the proper direction and navigation of their Viking ships.

Hermipedia Feature: Viking Ship

Courtney & Betina

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Viking Helmet-Hermipedia

July 6, 2013 by

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Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Viking Helmet

Viking Helmets, Arms and Armour:

Much of the arms and armour used by Vikings indicated a Viking’s social status, and a Viking helmet is thought to have been limited to the very richest of their society.  As war was a very prestigious activity, the nobility and professional warriors were likely to have worn a Viking helmet.  The average Viking might have just a spear, shield, an axe, large knife or hunting bow.

Beautifully finished and refined weapons showing quality and color were a way for a Viking to present her wealth and place in society.

The end of the 8th to the mid 11th century marks the Viking Age, and there are very few archaeological finds to tell a definitive story.  Much of what we know and think of Vikings comes from Old Norse tales that were written in the 13th century.

These tales are called Sagas, which are stories about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, voyages and battles, and they were written in Old Norse, which is an Icelandic language.

Viking Helmet:

There is only one known complete Viking helmet in existence today that came from a village in central Norway.  It has a rounded cap and a guard for the eyes and nose made of iron.  This helmet does not display any refined finishes or color. Helmets were made of iron, as well as hardened leather and iron strips.

A Viking helmet may have been inherited, and passed down from generation to generation instead of being buried, giving reason to the limited archaeological findings. The helmets were likely passed from father to son.

The horned Viking helmet we think of today, and that Viking wears on Hermit Island, may have been used for ceremonies or rituals, and less likely in war or battles. These helmets likely displayed distinctive color and style of workmanship.

Romantic Viking Helmet:

The horned helmet came from Romantic artists in the Romantic Age from the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s.  These artists gave Vikings winged helmets in their artwork.  It wasn’t until 1820 that a Swedish artist illustrated a Swedish poem showing horns instead of wings on the helmets.  This picked up in artistic expression, and stayed with the common depictions of Vikings in art.

The horned helmet didn’t completely take over the winged artistic expression until the 1890’s, through German and English illustrated children’s books.

The Viking & the hermit Viking Helmet:

Viking’s horned helmet is made from exquisitely dyed hardened leather in deep, emerald green color with welting detail and golden dyed leather trim.  It was a special gift from her father…custom made and dyed with the finest care from the best hatter of helmets in the village, and the most prized oxen.

“Viking often grabs her helmet horn while thinking, especially while listening and learning from Hermit, and taps her finger on the tip of the horn.  One of the bone tips is slightly worn, and less sharp, because of her habit.  She finds herself thinking of her father at those moments, and how he taught her so much, just like Hermit.”

Hermipedia Feature: Viking Helmet

Courtney & Betina

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Seahorses of Hermit Island-Hermipedia

July 3, 2013 by

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Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Seahorses of Hermit Island

Seahorse Physical Description:

Seahorses of Hermit Island present atypically from most seahorse species. They are significantly larger at heights reaching over 6 feet, and they can weigh as much as 200-300 lbs.

They do not have scales like other sea species, but color spotted, grey-ish toned skin stretched over their bones in a ring-like fashion.  These rings continue down to their coiled tails, and present in brightly colored stripes.

Seahorse Function and Navigation:

The ringed stripes in their seahorse tails  serve as sensors to determine the exact proximity to any object nearby in the sea, and give them a heightened ability to navigate the treacherous Hermit Bay sea floor filled with striking uggies.

Their coiled tails also allow them to spring, and hop either above or below the surface of the sea.  Seahorses of this species can reach top speeds of over 30 mph. This seahorse species can also leap into the air as high as 30 feet.

Seahorse Environment:

The seahorses have ability to breathe both above and below water, allowing great agility and flexibility to their environments, and they can navigate both water and land easily by hopping and springing with their tails.

Seahorse Features:

Hermit Island seahorse species have combed fins at the top of their heads varying in shape and color. Each head fin is distinct to the individual seahorse. Seahorses have long snouts, designed to suck up food, and very large black eyes providing them excellent vision.

Disposition of Seahorses:

This seahorse species present very tame, friendly and  intelligent.  They can be trained to listen and respond to various calls and prompts, and learn to take instruction and direction well.  The seahorse species can be domesticated pets, much the same as dogs, and can be ridden the same as a horse on land.  The natural curve of their backs provides a perfect sitting area for riding.

Seahorses Habitat:

The seahorses of Hermit Island live in the deep sea of Hermit Bay, where they can rest at the bottom seagrass if so desired. With their excellent vision, they can see any predators approaching easily, and work and communicate in groups to alert each other of any dangers.

Seahorses Courtship:

Hermit Island seahorse species will pair and mate for life.  During courtship, they swim side by side, and hold tails.  They dance circles around the seagrass together, and change the colors of their head fins, skin spots and tail stripes while circling.

Medicinal Purpose of Seahorses:

The colored spots or pores on their seahorse skin can secrete an herbal liquid that can be used for medicinal purposes such as skincare, sun burn or skin rash, or to protect any cut or laceration.  The secretion supplies antibacterial protection.

Seahorses of Hermit Island-Hermipedia

 

Courtney & Betina

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Man Cave-Clam Cave: Hermipedia

June 28, 2013 by

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Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Man Cave-Clam Cave

What is a Man Cave?

A man cave is not an actual cave, but a metaphor for an area that is either inside a home or a separate storage shed or tool room deemed as a man’s sanctuary. The man cave is designated for a man to do as he pleases, and maintain his own free space or room.

Hermit’s man cave-clam cave on Hermit Island functions much the same as a man cave, in addition to providing a necessary home and shelter, as well as room and  protection from various Hermit Island wildlife.

Man Cave Storage:

In Hermit’s clam cave-man cave, and additional storage clam home over the hills, Hermit stores tools such as spears of various lengths and sizes, braided jute rope, horned shells, seashell hatchets, wooden carved wrenches, rock hammers and serrated rock saws.

Room and Home:

Hermit’s man cave-clam cave home also stores kitchen and cooking items such as bamboo carved utensils, rock plates, shell ladles, long handled grilling forks, wood carved cups, fire wood, shell shaped cooking bowls and pots, bamboo pitchers and serrated rock knives, that he has created and maintained over the years.

Hermit uses hooks and shelving in a room of the cave home to house all of his tools and necessary housewares of his man cave-clam caves.  He has a purposed medicine shelf for first aid, and room to store clothing, linens, rags and towels woven from cotton and jute.

The man cave-clam caves house sleeping cots and sitting, eating and resting room of bamboo constructed furniture. Each cave home is designed to seal and close shut at nightfall for safety and protection from gitchoos that roam Clam House Clearing after sunset.

Man Cave-Clam Cave Design:

Man cave-clam cave step ladders are pulled into the cave home, and stored at night, assuring denied access to their interiors from any outside animal.  The slippery and angled shape of the clam home base provides extra security for any type of climbing creature on Hermit Island.

Man cave-clam caves on Hermit Island make a  multi-functional and practical home as well as satisfying any hermit’s room or sanctuary needs. They can even be converted into a guest house for a female.
Courtney & Betina

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What is Hermipedia?

June 26, 2013 by

what is hermipedia

What is Hermipedia exactly?

It’s the encyclopedia of all things on or about Hermit Island, its inhabitants, the wild life, plant life, sea life and everything encompassing your reading adventure of our Children’s Book Series: The Viking & the hermit.

What are some of the features of Hermipedia that you can expect to read and discover?

Features like…

* Hermit Island

* Hermit Living

*Dictionary of The World of Hermit Island

* Hermit Meaning

* Becoming a Hermit

* Modern Hermit

* About The Vikings

* Lost Vikings

* Viking Ship

* Viking Helmet

* Viking Games

* Vikings History

* Man Cave-Clam Cave

* Sea Urchin Uggies of Hermit Island

* Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island

* Hermit Island Seahorses

* Firebirds of Hermit Island

* Zebra Zuchies of Hermit Island

* Monster Gitchoos of Hermit Island

* Bat Zingos of Hermit Island

* Hermit Island Harvest

* Hermit Island Crops

* Spear Fishing

* How to Braid Jute

* Make a Spear of Bamboo and Shell

* Grill a Fish Recipe

* Spiced Fig Recipe

* How to Make Cashew Medicine

* Learn the Time of Day by the Sun

* Learn to Sound a Seashell

* How to Swim Fast

* Ride a Seahorse

* Learn to Lasso a Shaku Fish

* Make a Ladder

* Chop and Carve Bamboo

* How Viking and Hermit Bake Bread

* Fish and Fig Sandwich Recipe

Just to name a few from our Hermipedia!

What is Hermipedia?  It’s your fun and unique guide on our Viking and Hermit Blog to your adventure in reading the Viking & the hermit Book Series!

Check in here at Hermipedia and Viking and Hermit Blog to get the the juicy details and info behind the stories…

What is Hermipedia

 

Courtney & Betina

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Hermit Island – Hermipedia

June 23, 2013 by

hermit island

Welcome to Hermit Island-Hermipedia!

What is Hermipedia?  It’s The Viking & the hermit’s free encyclopedia to discover and describe the world of Hermit Island.

Today’s Feature: Hermit Island

Location:

HermitIsland is thought to be located in the Mediterranean Sea or Ocean, although its exact location is unknown.

Habitat:

Its habitat consists of beach, grassy meadows, mountains and forest.

Flora and Fauna:

It is home to much flora and fauna including the ocean and land.  It has alluvial soil suitable for growing a variety of crops including food and natural fibers, as well as a moderate, warm and wet climate.

Some of the wildlife includes: grabbas, seahorses, shakus, gitchoos, zuchies, zingos and firebirds. Hermit Bay stocks a variety of ocean life with hundreds of species of fish.

Species Traits:

Wild life exhibits both larger and smaller manifestations from typical species, while displaying varied traits.

For example, Hermit Island seahorses are 6 feet tall and range in weight from 200-300 lbs. They reach speeds of 30 mph, are expert swimmers, as well as capable of breathing above and below water. A typical seahorse is 0.6-14 inches tall, and very slow at only a top speed of 5 feet per hour. Typical seahorses are also considered poor swimmers.

Plants and animal species on land also display varied sizes and traits from other known areas. Some plant life includes: cypress trees, fig trees, cashew trees, grasses, bamboo and bougainvillea.

Hermipedia Feature: Hermit Island

Courtney & Betina

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