Hermit Life

July 17, 2014 by

hermit life

Do you know of any Hermits? How do hermits live, and would you like to meet Hermit from Hermit Island?

Hermits are known to be alone, yet this Hermit from our story has a new human friend on a hermits island world. She came to him from her shipwreck one bright morning, and now a Viking and a Hermit will have life together in her new land. There is much to learn and do to mend her ship, and she will learn to live with Hermit in a hermits world of challenges to survive.

Hermit has no memory of how he came to his island, but has lived there for many years. Those years are so long they become confusing. He has only a fragment here and there of his past in dreams, or when he rests in the evenings after a long day of work.

hermitsHere is a fragment of Hermit Life to read from Book 3 Shaku Riding…

Hermit life at sunset…

Sometimes, Hermit retires to his comfortable main house clam shell, and stares across the rolling green hills to the stone path meeting his storage clam, sipping a cup of hot spiced fig.  It sits just in the distance over the meadows.  He needs that additional clam for his extra tools and supplies.

Hermit looks into the setting sun, and picks up the haze of potted flowers at the base of the step ladder over the hills.

Hermit squints his eyes, and shakes away color fuzz in his vision to see he is wrong…the step ladder is resting alone without any potted flowers.

Hermit life sometimes means Hermit can’t remember.  Did he once plant flowers, and place them in a pot next to the ladder?  It seems that he may have, but isn’t quite sure. Hermit’s memory is a fragment. He does remember flowers and a pot, but they are not there now.

It must be the sunset playing tricks on his eyes.

Often, there are things Hermit sees that are not there, but he is used to his Hermit life by now.

Hermit life on Hermit Island spans many years, and he is quite comfortable.  Maybe some day he will be able to explain his lack of memory or confusion, but he will not concern himself for now with life so complete.

Hermit needs to button up the clam house, bring in his step ladder, and get some rest.  There are crops to tend, fish to catch and wood to fetch tomorrow.

hermit~A Fragment of Hermit Life

Get more of Hermit Life with Viking & Read Their Adventures!

Courtney & Betina

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How to Lasso a Shaku Fish

January 14, 2014 by

how to lasso

It takes a rope, a knot, a tie and a lasso to lasso a Shaku Fish…

Hermit swings the lasso rope, with a tie and loop over his head.  He twirls his lasso rope like a spinning wheel in the air.

The mare is just across the meadow, chewing on grass, and she doesn’t hear Hermit approaching.

With his lasso rope spinning, he steps on a small tree branch, and it crunches out a sound.  He glances down at his foot in its sandal, and sees how large and young it appears.

“Wait…that’s not my foot.”

He thinks as he takes a quick breath, and opens his eyes.

Above is the shimmering coral ceiling of his clam house shell, instead of his lasso rope.

“Where am I?  Ahh…it is just a dream.” He says to himself.

He lifts up the bed covers, and swings his legs out, touching his feet to the ground.

“Now, those are my feet…old and small.”

He gets up, and stretches his arms while yawning.

Then plucks the lasso from the wall, and checks the tie knot.  The tie and knot are strong, and the braided jute rope is rough and sharp in his hand.

“I think I’d better practice my rope lasso throwing today.  You never know when I’ll need it.”

 

…Good thing he got to practice how to lasso thanks to his dream, because he will need it.  He’ll definitely need it.  

 

Here’s a bit of what happened from Book 3–The Viking & the hermit: Shaku Riding

 

First, meet Shaku…

how to lasso

How to Lasso a Shaku Fish…

A Lasso Trick

Hermit thinks he will slip his lasso rope over Shaku’s head as it shoots by the rock, but which side will that be?

He watches Shaku’s tail fin to clue him in. “Right, left, right, left, left…got him!”

how to lasso

Hermit breaks free, and Shaku runs the length of the rope to snap it. Hermit knows that rope and knot tie will not last long.

Find out what happens next! Read The Viking & the hermit: Shaku Riding.

 

More on How to Lasso:

Most people know a lariat as a lasso, but the word lasso actually refers to the act of throwing the looped end of a lariat rope.

Instructions

Slip your rope through the small loop tie at the end of the lasso rope called the honda knot. Form a noose approximately one to two feet in diameter.

  • Hold the rope loop lightly in your right hand a foot or so from the honda knot. Coil the rest of the lasso rope in your left hand leaving 5 to 6 feet of kink-free rope between the noose and the coil.

    • Position yourself in front of a target…

    • Relax your wrist and slowly begin to swing the lasso rope over your head, right to left. Expert ropers suggest thinking of your wrist as an axle and the lasso rope loop as a wheel revolving horizontally over and around your head.

    • Cast the rope loop by swinging your arm quickly forward. As you move your arm forward bring your wrist down to shoulder level and extend your arm out. Be careful not to interfere with the motion of the lasso. Let your palm open and swing the rope toward the target.

    • Strive to send the noose on a straight, level course to your target by maintaining a smooth steady rhythm as you cast. Keep your arm and wrist straight and extended toward the target. The force you use to thrust the loop forward will also play a role in how far your lasso rope goes.

    • Pull the length of lasso rope coiled in you left hand to tighten the tie loop around your target.

How to Lasso & More on the Honda Knot Tie

Honda Knot Tie

This is the knot tie all cowboys use to form their lasso or lariat. The Honda Knot creates the most nearly-perfect circle of any knot. Its round shape, especially in a stiff rope tie, helps it slide freely along the rope…which is what makes it good for a lasso.

Do you think you could lasso this?…

how to lasso

How to Lasso a Shaku Fish

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Courtney & Betina

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Viking and Hermit Story Book: What Do They Think?

December 10, 2013 by

viking and hermit

“Viking?”

“Yes, Hermit”

“Do you know what they are saying about our story books, Viking?”

“No.  What are they saying?”

“I think they like them!”

“They do, Hermit?”

“It seems so, Viking.”

“One of our readers said we are ‘Simply Charming’.”

“Hermit, I think I am blushing.”

“Your face is red, Viking.”

“Is it? Now it is even more red.”

“Do you want to know what some of our readers said, Viking?”

“Oh yes, Hermit.  Tell me!”

“Here are some customer reviews on Amazon about our Viking story book for children, Viking”…

Very Cute! 5 stars…Definitely an enjoyable read for kids. The storyline is very entertaining and the illustrations are adorable. Can’t wait to read more!

Simply Charming! 5 stars…I volunteer in a kindergarten class, and I’m always looking for books to read to the students. I found this storybook simply charming!

The story and the characters are wonderful, and the illustrations are so colorful and appealing for a children’s book!

I look forward to reading it to the students and following the series.

The Viking and the Hermit 5 stars…A good story for kids, very imaginative and colorful. It pulls the reader into the world of the Hermit’s island and the beginning of adventures to come.

The Viking and the hermit 5 stars…Interesting idea. I read it for my girls and than faced some questions about Vikings that ‘forced’ me to refresh my history lessons. It was fun and beneficial for both, girls and myself. I am looking forward to reading the Book 2 that was announced from the same series.

Super Book for Kids 4 stars…I read this book with my 5-year old… twice in fact as she enjoyed so much..!

Nice storyline and very creative..

What a cute story! 5 stars…I got this book for my niece. I wanted her listen to a story different from what she had already heard before. I’m glad I picked up this book. The story is very entertaining for kids and the illustrations are super cute! Great find!

“Wow, Hermit!  I think they really do like us and our story book! Those are a lot of stars.”

“Those stars were all for our first story book, and they still have to read our second story book, Viking.”

“Oh yes.  They must read our second story book to find out how I did with my spear fishing.”

“Yes indeed, Viking.  Spear fishing here on Hermit Island is not like any other spear fishing, is it?”

“I will give you that, Hermit…indeed!  I can’t wait to hear what they think of our second story book, and of course, our third story book is almost ready to tell as well.”

“Shh, Viking.  Don’t give it away!”

“I know.  They will have to find out, won’t they?”

“Yes, Viking.  They can find out all about The Grabbas Are Coming next.”

“Let’s get back to Clam House Clearing, shall we Viking?”

“Sounds good, Hermit.”

 

viking and hermit

Get The Viking and the hermit: Spear Fishing with Sasha & Kasha & The Viking and the hermit: The Grabbas Are Coming illustrated story books for children on Amazon Kindle today!

Stay tuned for the Viking Story Book 3: Shaku Riding, and its release this December, along with a special 3 Story Book Combo in print! Sign up for our newsletter to get a FREE Shaku Coloring Picture!

 

Courtney & Betina

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A Modern Hermit: Hermipedia

November 4, 2013 by

 

modern hermit

Hermit is a Modern Hermit.

Once Viking arrived on his Island world, Hermit knew he must provide some modern amenities and life for this new female presence.

After all, Hermit’s Man Cave Clam Cave is quite nice and modern for himself, but it caters to a man’s tastes, and even though Viking appears to be strong, athletic and adaptive, he knows that she will want some of the finer, modern surroundings most females prefer in life.

Hermit looks around at all of his tools and weapons in his clam shell, hanging so neatly organized, and placed just so, and chuckles at all of his work he can do so easily.

He decides he will craft a new modern life for her new world!

modern hermit

A Modern Hair Comb Carved of Tortoise-Shell for a Modern Life…

Hermit returns to his center table in his clam cave, and carefully shaves and shapes this beautiful, modern hair comb with his sharp knife. While carving, he thinks back to the first day they met on his Island world, and how she startled him from his sleep.

Here’s part of that story…

 

How Viking and Hermit Met…

 

Hermit awakes from a deep sleep to the sound of his shell bells.  Those bells only sound if someone or some thing nears.

Hermit feels a tingle in his belly.  Who or what can it be?  His memories of others is faint, and he can’t remember any faces…not even his own.

When he swam ashore all those years ago, he made it to the beach and collapsed with exhaustion.  He could feel the sunburn on his cheeks, and the sand between his fingers, but he couldn’t remember how he got there.

Every time he caught a fish, planted a seed or started a fire, he didn’t know how he knew such things.  And there were so many things he knew.  He could build anything, craft any tool, harvest any crop, and calculate the hours.

Hermit gathered seashells from his island beach, and punctured a small hole into each shell.  He strung a small rock through each, and hung them on the bushes of his pathway.

Something now approaches…

Get the full story by subscribing to our monthly newsletter!

 

Back to Hermit’s modern tortoise-shell carving…

In these new, modern times on Hermit Island with this new female leading the way on modern life…making Hermit feel young, and keeping an old Hermit company, Hermit wants Viking to feel as comfortable as possible, and prepared her clam shell with necessary modern updates.

Modern Updates for A New Life

First, he cleared out all of his extra tools and weapons hanging on the walls, except the long spear that she would possibly need during the night to defend herself from the roaming gitchoos, in case they somehow entered her clam shell.

For modern use, she needed some kind of table to keep her personal items, and since she lost everything but her sword and shield that the sea storm washed away, she needed a new, modern bag to carry things for her new life in this world with Hermit, and at least a comb to part and braid her hair in the mornings.

Making that modern bag from finely braided and vegetable dyed jute was a great lesson and task, and she was amazed and enthralled by Hermit’s skills to create such fine, modern work. She practiced the braiding method with him, and can’t wait for more projects like that for her new life.

It also matches her shield.

modern hermit

More Modern Updates

Hermit rubs and polishes Viking’s hair comb for the finished touch, and looks to the special compact sea shell he made for her to keep a few red berries, blended with aloe cream lip balm. She can keep it in her new modern bag, and it will be a surprise gift, he thinks.

Hermit smiles, thinking of how much she’ll like that, because he wants her to feel welcome and comfortable in her new world, just as he over the many years.

Viking Loves Her New Modern Gifts…

modern hermit

Life on the world of Hermit Island isn’t so bad.

Courtney & Betina

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Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island-Hermipedia: The Viking and the hermit

September 1, 2013 by

sea star

Today’s Hermipedia Feature: Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island…

A sea star is a starfish, and there are a bunch of sea star starfish Grabbas on Hermit Island, where our children’s book series, The Viking and the hermit takes place.

Sea Star Starfish Grabbas Species of Hermit Bay

The starfish Grabbas species in the waters of Hermit Bay are different from a regular sea star starfish.

Let’s run through some similarities and differences in the species!

How Many Species of Starfish and Where Do They Live?

First, did you know that about 1500 species of starfish live in the oceans? A starfish can live in the tropics as well as the polar subzero waters, and they can be found as far down in the depths of the sea as 20,000 feet.

Our starfish Grabbas species in our story, and in the waters of Hermit Bay live in a more tropical environment.

So far, Hermit has only found them as far down as where the seahorses take him, but it is quite likely they do live as far down as 20,ooo feet as well.

Star Shape and Size

They get their name from their star shape, but the starfish Grabbas happen to be quite a bit larger than the typical sea star. Whereas most species are about the size of an adult hand, our starfish species are about the size of a smaller octopus, and even as big as Hermit.

Most of our star species have five arms, which they use to swim, and climb over rocks both in the sea and on land.  They can even climb up to the top of a cliff, and spring off to fly in the air.

This usually happens when you spear fish, because they like to steal the fish that you’ve already caught.

Since most starfish are opportunistic predators, our sea star species pose a greater threat based on their sheer size. Plus, they are able to hunt and eat prey much larger than their mouths, much the same as typical species.

Starfish Speed

The typical starfish species move very slowly at a pace of 6 inches in 1 minute. But our star species are capable of very fast speeds, and they can be down in the depths of the sea, and up to the cliff of the rocks, to spring to your fish caught on your spear in under 5 minutes.

This sea star below started on the sandy floor…

sea star

Then the sea star starfish and friends climbed all the way up the rock cliff really fast!…

sea star

Starfish Brain Power

Unlike regular starfish species which lack a brain, our species do have brain power, and communicate with each other in their own way.  They work together as a team to move and distract their prey, and in particular are drawn to any fishing activity in the sea, where they can attempt to grab, and steal away a caught fish on a spear.

Just ask Viking and Hermit!

Sea Star Grabbas of Hermit Island-Hermipedia: The Viking and the hermit

~Courtney & Betina

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P.S. Can you guess why Hermit named them Grabbas?

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Becoming a Hermit-Hermipedia

August 13, 2013 by

becoming a hermit

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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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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